Effective Principles of Street Work

Summary

StreetInvest started its own journey into street work by experiencing at first hand the remarkable work of countless individuals who have dedicated their lives to working with street children. In its most simple form the relationship between a trustworthy adult and a street child can be life changing, life enhancing, and in many cases, lifesaving. It is based on the relationship between street worker and child or young person – the child is recognised as an active participant in making decisions that affect him/her. It is not driven by a worker or agency assumptions, agendas or judgements.

We believe in street work because it is a valid intervention in its own right. It does not have to result in a child’s removal from the street to be considered successful. Its ‘success’ is not dependent on other strategies and it is not reliant on a formula or blueprint for rescuing street children.

This document seeks to present a holistic view of the guiding principles around street work, its practice and the supporting structures that need to be in place to ensure street work ‘works’ for children and young people.