Stealing Home: A best practice model to assist young people who are

homeless to reduce offending and to gain stable accommodation.

Ms Brook Stevens bstevens@syc.net.au

National Reintegration Puzzle Conference 2010

Key Principles:

We do this by:

• Case Management• Homelessness Program• Youth Justice Program • Life skills programs• Integrated Housing Exits

SYC Purpose

SYC exists to support young people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness to achieve;

• Safe and stable accommodation;• Their education and career aspirations• Positive, meaningful relationships ;

and• Positive participation in their

community.

In-depth Knowledge

• Offending can lead to Homelessness

• No housing can lead to offending• Peer Influence

Youth homelessness

Chamberlain and Mackenzie (1998: 70)

Typical youth homelessness career

Offending can lead to

homelessnessCase Study 1 – Albert

Youth homelessness

2006 census young people 12-24:31% of Australia’s homeless

population32, 444 young people (mostly

unaccompanied)In SA 38% of homeless population2, 992 young people

A snap shot

08-09 financial year 45, 734 accommodation related calls.

Contact with approximately 1895 young people with 755 being case managed.

No Housing can lead to Offending

Case Study 2 - Justin

Peer Influence

Case Study 3

Case Study 3 - Adam

Peer Influence

SYC conducted research with 21 young people.

• 52% did not have life skills training • 81% of the young people suffered

accommodation breakdowns• 64% of the accommodation

breakdowns having a direct link to peer influence.

• 86% of the participants who experienced accommodation break down also re-offended

Developing relationships with

clients and services

• Case Management• Dedicated youth justice workers

within SYC homelessness services• Specific through care support

Appropriate housing and

support

• Ignition• Integrated Housing Exits

Successful Outcomes

Questions?

bstevens@syc.net.au