StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon. Executive Summary
The young people interviewed about the value and usefulness of StreetBeat for them identified profound positive outcomes and changes in their lives which they attribute in significant part to the support of StreetBeat workers. I wouldnt have got my Year 10 certificate and Cert II in welding and engineering which is half way to my ticket. I'm more mature, more sensible and dont always resort to violence or skitz out. I handle things better, walk away sometimes. I could have had teeth missing, brain damage there are that many fight situations going on at night... They are saving us from the dangers of night, people coming back from the pub (like some kid from the Kilda that got smashed up). Id probably be dead. They [StreetBeat] took me to the hospital. I dont remember. Footpatrol called up StreetBeat and told them that I was drunk. I was found with Deb, we were legless, and they [StreetBeat] took us to hospital. The main thing I can see now everybodys parents love them, even if the children dont see it, and they worry about them, and it [StreetBeat] keeps them safe. Outcomes such as these, were as a minimum three young people have significantly turned around their lives, prompts the strategic question of what the economic and social value of these results are. How many outcomes like these are required to justify and demonstrate the value for money of the StreetBeat Program? Particularly when research highlights that the long term impacts and costs of the life pathways these young people were on are so substantial often intergenerational in their timescale.

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon. Background
These case studies form part of the evaluation of the StreetBeat program. The case studies have been drawn from interviews with five young people, though most extensively with three of them two young males aged 17 and 18, and a young female aged 16 some of their family members, and discussions with four workers from the StreetBeat program. These young people's stories, experiences and outcomes are illustrative of the StreetBeat model and its value, successes and of course shortcomings and barriers as well. While there was a desire to avoid very complex cases such as where DoCS were heavily involved, and this is stated with the greatest respect to the young people involved, these young people have nonetheless had very complex and difficult lives.

The Big Picture

The first time StreetBeat came into contact with this young Aboriginal girl she was in a car park, doing fellatio on a sleezy guy in exchange for a cigarette. She doesn't even smoke. For her now knitting a personal project set up by one of the workers is one of the favourite things in her life: 'If I hadnt done knitting I would be out getting drunk. I stay home now and go out less. I sill drink but I stay out of trouble.' One of the StreetBeat workers says: These kids we love. I bought her a present for her 16th birthday because no one else did. The young boy, now eighteen year old, was known to many of the StreetBeat workers for most of his life. In their words he had the worst home life they have ever known. He was raised by his little sister, his mother had serious alcohol and drug dependencies, he was most likely to have survived child sexual assault, was doing break and enters, smoking cones, always out, never home. This young person was notorious, and while DoCS, Police and Schools were involved there were no services or supports in place. His self esteem was shot, he had no belief in himself and didnt care if he lived or died. Perhaps this is why he seemed to have no fear at all of doing stupid stuff. This young man is in the story below, named under the pseudonym Greg:

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon.
Excerpt, PhD Thesis on Armidale youth, Helena Pastor Chapter: Fuckin Whatever Isnt an Answer The talk shifts to a big party the night before, someones eighteenth. Half my fuckin school was there! blurts Jordy, There were busted beer bottles all over the street! Bernie says he was out driving the Streetbeat car till four oclock in the morning. Streetbeat is a local crime prevention program, where youth workers trawl the streets on Friday and Saturday nights, keeping kids out of trouble and away from the lock-up. The party just went all night. All we heard from the police was, Can you go to There were kids goin into other peoples yards and I thought, oh its not goin to end well. Bernie looks across to Thommo: What are you grinnin about? Thommo shakes his head, stares down at his feet with a bashful smile. I only had four beers last night, Thommo says in a low voice, like its something different for him. Very impressed with that, mate, says Bernie, suddenly serious. That was the most impressive thing I saw all night. What happened, Thommo? asks Simmo. Were you crook? No, he wasnt crook, says Bernie. He was just bein sensible. The third young person interviewed had significant alcohol and drug problems, with a lack of parental supervision and one parent who in fact encouraged this behaviour. It was a 'free for all' at his house. 'One night there were 200 kids there, smashed, running out on highway, jumping in front of semis and throwing beer bottles.' Smoking 30 plus cones of marijuana per day has had serious health implications for this youth, and a heavy cash flow requirement. He says: 'The weed used to make me depressed, keep thinking all the time. I realized I was worrying my family, I want to enjoy myself but at the same time I want them to be happy. I know now I only live once, move on from my problems and enjoy your life while it lasts.' This young man has now completed Year 10, wants to complete maths and English in Year 12 so he

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon.
can go to Qantam College and make a career in computer programming. A grandparent said proudly that he has 'turned his life around' after being 'off the rails', while one of the workers wisely reflected that 'without his education there was really only one path for him that was gunna fund his habits'. They still have parties at his house. In fact on the day of this interview this young man's father was inviting his son's mates over to 'watch the footy and have some beers'. However it has 'quietened down a lot' and 'is nothing like it used to be' according to the workers.

First Contact with StreetBeat

For each of the five young people interviewed their first contact with StreetBeat was by getting a ride home, or to safety. Each of them had learnt about the service through friends initially, people talking about it at parties, though over time they came to possess the contact numbers for one or more of the workers. I was drunk at a party first time I met StreetBeat and they turned up just as I was about to walk home (South to North side). Luckily I met them. Friends told me about StreetBeat here to help when you have no way of getting home, but they're not going to drive you around like a free taxi... theyll take you home, keep you safe, but not to Hungry Jacks. When I went out one night, needed a lift home and ran into StreetBeat at Hungry Jacks where we were on our way home. I saw everyone getting lift from them and went over and asked them for a ride home. I was hungry too and they bought me a pie. Without prompting, each of the young people also referred to the Foot Patrol service in Armidale, which is not surprising given that superficially both services offer a pick up service to take kids home and keep them safe and it is a small city of some 26,000 population. Each of the young people said they no longer used Foot Patrol, though some recognised they probably would if StreetBeat ended. Footpatrol make you feel like an idiot. 'Dont swear, dont do that.' Where StreetBeat have a laugh and a joke with you.

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon.
Have used Foot Patrol, it was alright but they were a bit rude. Telling us to be quiet or theyd kick us out. I dont like Foot Patrol. The mean women on there tell you to sit down and shut up. This comparison is useful because it reveals one of the key success factors in the StreetBeat model, that is the rapport, respect and relationships formed between the young people and the workers. The more tangible value of the 'ride home' part of the StreetBeat program from the young people's perspectives was safety: I used the StreetBeat service, especially in winter when its cold and I needed to get home. Sometimes the Police would hassle you if you were walking home, so it saves getting in trouble and getting home safely. Some nights are pretty wild, groups of people can set on you, throw bottles, stuff like that. One time I tried to contact StreetBeat and they werent around and I had to walk. I personally got a lift from Foot Patrol and then saw my mates in a fight. There are always people around picking on kids. And this safety aspect is a two-way street, with one young person recalling how not being able to get home also contributes to a situation where young people are more likely to commit crime: I know others who if they are far enough home theyll get money steal it, break and enter and it [StreetBeat] is saving people from doing these desperate things.

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon. Linking with Services
For each of the three young people in these case studies a range of services were accessed. While there is an understandable comfort the young people had with services where there were links with the StreetBeat workers they knew, it is also true that a wider range of services were also accessed. The services and programs identified as used by the young people interviewed included:

Iron Man Welders J Pet Knitting Club The Diebacks (soccer club) Army OH&S Training Music classes School advisers

Youth Links (TAFE) Job Network PCYC RTA (getting L's) Legal Aid Belly dancing classes JJ

Bernie hooked me into PCYC through StreetBeat. In year 6 & 7 used to go there a few nights a week. Lots of activities. This was the main activity I hooked into. J Pet have a good program which helped a lot. I bought my work clothes and some equipment which I still use to this day. I have applied for the Army too. I'm doing the fitness and aptitude test. This came through J Pet with Bernies advice and support. I'd like to do underwater welding. The young people also used the services of the StreetBeat workers in many smaller though significant ways to better access services and get help in their day to day lives. Like when I was in trouble with the Police, I rang them [StreetBeat workers] up and told them about it. They told me what to do, get legal aid, talk with a solicitor. I didnt have any assignments done, was on my last warning for expulsion and doing stupid stuff. Bernies support, the way he talked to me and stuff, helped me sort out those problems. He is someone you can rely on. I can remember one time when Police turned up to a party and StreetBeat was there. A mate was arguing with the Police, while I just jumped into the

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon.
StreetBeat car. I was about to get into the Police about picking on my mate. StreetBeat talked sense into me, helped me calm down, think things through. So theyre not just there for a ride. [StreetBeat] keep you thinking in the right frame of mind. For example, Im gunna go do knock and run and theyll talk me out of it. Instead I go home and watch a movie. I used to go swap people's mail boxes around just for fun. These day to day life issues where the StreetBeat workers were available to help were sometimes long term, difficult and messy. One of the young guys was pursuing an assault charge against one of his school teachers. The charge was falsified, however this proof lay solely in the hands of him and his friends, and of the course the heavily outnumbered teacher. It was almost like a game for this young guy, however for the teacher it was serious a loss of his career, reputation and with massive personal, financial and family impacts. The StreetBeat workers worked hard on this. Despite even their own long standing personal relationships with the teacher, and being understandably pissed off at the young guy, they worked with him through his issues, to support him whether he was right or wrong. It was through getting to know the young man, building trust and respect though things like going to his house the place of large wild parties mentioned earlier, checking everyone and everything was okay that the very difficult conversations about this court case could be had. When the day came in court one of his friends spoke up, telling the truth, saying that an assault had not actually occurred. While the young guy who falsified the charges didn't change in court, he continues to and access StreetBeat services, work with the workers and has stuck with school, completing Year 10 and now working on his Year 12 maths and English. Something has changed, though at this time it is difficult to explain just what that is.

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon. All About Relationships
Now here is my secret, very simply: you can only see clearly with your heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye. The Fox, The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery The metaphor of an iceberg sitting mostly out of sight and below the water line is a useful parallel with StreetBeat, its success factors and the way it works. Above the water line a 'safe ride home' service is operating, with workers and kids over time connecting in with other services. This is visible to the eye. Under the water is where the real work is going on, and the bulk of the work is going on. For the young people, the workers were there for them, to support them. The young people described the relationships they had with StreetBeat workers in the same way they might describe any other good friendship being there for you when you need it, day or night, rain or shine, at home or work, whether they're busy or not. Wed talk about problems at school, and work out solutions instead of using violence, shouting at the teachers, using respect instead. StreetBeat trying to the best they can to keep us out of trouble. The choose to help out young people of today. I could ring them home or mobile or go down to the office, or Food for Thought, where Bernie's wife worked. I was able to talk with personal things with them and ask them advice. StreetBeat were getting to know them [us, me] through driving with them [us, me] . The workers explain this as being about giving respect to the kids, how the young people would stop them in the street to have a yarn about school, footy or life even if they are with their mates or family, they would bring them over, introduce them, tell them where theyre from. This is a very fine line being consciously chosen and walked by the workers every moment of every day. While they are neither agreeing or condoning the behaviours and actions of the young people they are working with, nor do they write them off either. As the workers explained:

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon.
[It's about]... being around to support them, no matter what they do. We dont demand respect either. Theyll automatically put out a smoke before getting in the car. He is the kid whose made the most changes of Ive seen anyone make. To do the Army he had to do psyche. He failed, and failed the drug test. [He is going for the test again.] It would have been so easy to wipe your hands of him as too hard. Encouragement, each time he showed some positive signs, we never told him he couldnt do anything, and he responded each time. And him getting through Year 10, getting his certificates. Amazing.

The Future is Bright(er)

For the young man, now 18, who was described as having the 'worst life ever known' by the workers, his plans for where he'd like to be in two years' time are: Working as a welder, like doing it, enjoy working with the metal and tools, Iron Welders is still going, have finished my apprenticeship, and paid off all my fines in court. For the young girl who was found in a carpark doing tricks for cigarettes: I got my interview at school. Duval. To get enrolled, probably year 10, but I want year 9. I hate school, but Ill do it. It stops me from drinking, stay out of trouble, get off bail. A stable place to live, keep my head straight. I need something else to do when I dont have anything else to do I get in trouble. StreetBeat has addicted me to knitting. When asked what it was about StreetBeat that helped her, 'everything' was the reply. And for the young man who was running the biggest, wildest parties in town, and now has his Year 10 Certificate and Certificate II in Welding and Engineering, simply said about StreetBeat: I hope they do see the goodness in it, it really does help people, I hope they can more of it going, because we really need it.

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StreetBeat Evaluation: Case Studies

The child that acts unlovable needs to be loved. Anon. Refining StreetBeat
The young people had a consistent message about how StreetBeat could be improved: more workers, more cars and more hours. StreetBeat needs more than one car, so instead of just two people rushing around doing hard core hours, take pressure off the workers a bit. If they could come out more, a bit earlier, we dont see enough of them 9pm onwards up until 2am. There are sound justifications for revisiting the model of cars and workers. It is common to have groups of 10, 15 or more young people which requires multiple trips with only a car to get them home or to safety. A return trip from one side of town to the other with a full car load can take in excess of an hour, and quite simply the young people won't hang around, or might not be safe to hang around, which creates the risk and environment to occur be it inflicted on them or caused by them. For occupational health and safety reasons two workers need to be together at all times, so a people mover or little bus would go some way to solving this issue without being significantly more expensive.

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