Young People and their Families
Youth Information & Referral Service
The Youth Information & Referral Service supports young people aged 12 to 25 who are at risk of or are currently experiencing homelessness. The service provides short term case management, outreach, referral and general information on youth services in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area, as well as phone and internet facilities for clients.
Youth Information & Referral
P 02 4922 1502 (services)
P 1800 17 1800 (clients – free call from landline)
F 02 4922 1562
E youthinfoline@samaritans.org.au
Click here to download our Intake Referral Form
The Hub Casework Team
This service works with young people (15 to 21yrs), who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Caseworkers provide one on one outreach support and advocacy for young people who may be experiencing problems with housing, living skills, alcohol and other drugs, mental health, legal system, education/employment, family, relationships, health issues and any other difficulties as identified by the young person.
The service also provides supported accommodation for pregnant and parenting young women.
Click here to access The Hub Casework Brochure.
Referrals to the Hub Casework Team should be made via the Youth Information & Referral Service listed above
Reconnect Services
Reconnect services aim to provide a range of supports to young people aged between 12 and 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and want some assistance with their family relationships.
A worker is linked to each young person to help in sorting things out with their family; connect them with training and employment services; help them to stay in school when it gets tough; provide income support and find somewhere safe to stay if necessary.
Samaritans Reconnect Services can be found at Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock and Maitland.
LEAF Reconnect Maitland and Cessnock
P 02 4936 2688
E reconnect@samaritans.org.au
Creative Times Reconnect Newcastle/Lake Macquarie
P 02 4942 5466
E reconnect@samaritans.org.au
Port Stephens Early Intervention Project (PSEIP)
Port Stephens Early Intervention Project works with young people aged between 12 and 18 years who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. It aims to reconnect young people and their parents/carers and strengthen their realationships. We support families, where possible, to stay together.
PSEIP covers Port Stephens Local Government Area. Our office is located at Nelson Bay, however if you are unable to attend our office, we can arrange to meet with you at another location.
We support young people to:
- Particpate in employment, education and training
- Link with appropriate health services
- Link with appropriate cultural and social services
- Maintain suitable accommodation
- Reconnect with their community
PSEIP provides:
- Assistance for young people, where practical, to stay at home
- Alternative accommodation during periods of family reconciliation with trained carers
- Assistance establishing independent living arrangements where appropriate
- Information and referral
- Dedicated youth worker
- Short-term community care placements
Please note that young people under the age of 16 years must have parental or DoCS permission to engage in with PSEIP.
Community Carers are:
- Volunteers who have offered their home and support for young people reconnecting with their families
- People who want to enhance family and community connectedness
- People who are fully trained
- People who aim to provide the best possible outcomes for the young person and their family with respect to location and cultural diversity
Community carers are fully supported through:
- 24 hour on call backup support
- Regular supervision
- Professional training
PSEIP offers carers:
- Community involvement and a chance to give back to the community by helping young people
- The chance to develop community awareness of the problems experienced by some young people
- The chance to share your knowledge with a young person
PSEIP
P 02 4983 2435
E gbetts@samaritans.org.au
Creative Times
Creative Times is an innovative program offering group work and individual support services to young people aged 7 – 13 years and their families, in the Gateshead and Hamilton areas of Newcastle.
Creative Times has a focus on early intervention and prevention, supporting people by promoting individual, family and community strengths.
Creative Times
P 02 4942 1621
E creativetimes@samaritans.org.au
Adolescent & Family Counselling Lower Hunter
The Lower Hunter Adolescent & Family Counselling Service provides a safe, confidential and friendly space for young people 11 to 21 years and their families to talk through tough times. Everyone deserves someone to talk to. This service if offered free of charge within the Maitland and Cessnock Local Government Areas. For further information please call Hunterheadspace.
P: 0249311000