New street working scheme aims to support young people

A NEW street working scheme which aims to bring the services of youth centres to vulnerable children and young people in Tallaght was rolled out in recent weeks.

The project, run by the South Dublin County Partnership, has four workers who engage with young people within the community and direct them to support services.

The target age group for the project is people aged 10 to 24 years old, who may be struggling with a variety of issues, such as addiction and mental health.

Grace Hill from the Tallaght Drug and Alcohol Task Force (TDATF) told The Echo: “The new street programme allows us to meet young people where they’re at and, if they’re using drugs, get a sense of why they’re doing what they’re doing.

“It started the Monday before last, and it’s something that we hope will really complement the great work of other projects.

“It’s called attached street working, where interventions are done on the street and referrals are made for young people who are at risk or in risk, and who are unlikely to go into a youth centre.”

The pilot project has funding for one year from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

It is based on successful models for attached street working which have been carried out in Ballymun and Fatima.

“It’s a young persons’ support programme as an alternative to a traditional youth centre,” added Ms Hill.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how it works and how the workers will engage with the most vulnerable young people in the community.”