Criminology Research Council grant ; (5/79)
This report is the result of two and a half years of work with Outreach workers in Victoria, primarily those emploved under the YMCA's Outreach Program over the period 1978 to 1981. The report is primarily an investigation of the philosophy, theory and practice of Outreach work as it has developed in Australia and up to the time the research finished in 1981. Although a brief attempt was made to update the Victorian developments since that time, the bulk of the empirical data was collected during 1979-80.
The terms 'Street work', 'Outreach work', and 'Detached youth work' refer to a form of youth work that recognises that the needs of many young people are not met by traditional agencies, youth clubs and similar services. Youth workers, instead of expecting such youth to come to them and their agencies, must reach out to them and bring their services to where the young people are.
The report stresses at the outset that Outreach work, like any other form of community work, is not a homogenous field with all workers in basic agreement. The report attempts to clarify some of the fundamental differences that separate the field and shows some of the varied work styles that make up the range of goals and methods called 'Outreach work'.
In the first part of the report the historical development of Outreach theory in the United States, with its strong emphasis on functionalism and social control, is contrasted with the United Kingdom's greater emphasis on individual development. The impact of these theoretical approaches on the development of Australian Outreach work is dicussed and several models of Outreach work develped. The workers' own conceptions of the goals of Outreach work are discussed, followed by the various styles of work practised by different Outreach projects in Australia.
The actual practice of Outreach work is outlined, based on the 1979-80 survey and numerous interviews and case studies collected over the period. An evaluation is attempted within the limitations of the data available.
The report concludes that:
- Outreach work is an effective and valuable form of youth work, contributing significantly to the well-being of many young people;
- the theory and practice of Outreach work requires considerable development if Outreach work is to achieve its potential in helping young people;
- Outreach projects have been chronically under-funded at the cost of the effective development of this style of work and ultimately at the expense of both the workers and the young people they work with.
The report finishes with an outline of some of the changes that have occurred in Victoria in the intervening years and concludes with a brief discussion of the 'politics of Outreach work'.