Upstream: A New Approach to Preventing Youth Homelessness

Upstream is a pioneering, schools-based programme designed to change how young people connect with and shape the support they need—before crisis hits. Rooted in the lived experiences of hundreds of young people, Upstream aims to identify risks early and unlock resources that can prevent homelessness and other life challenges from defining their futures.

Why Upstream Matters

Youth homelessness is a significant issue in Scotland, with over 9,000 young people aged 16–25 seeking help each year. In Aberdeen alone, nearly 500 young people present as homeless annually—many due to relationship breakdowns at home. But behind these numbers are stories of hidden struggles: sofa surfing, mental health challenges, family conflict, and housing insecurity that often go unnoticed until a crisis occurs.

Upstream seeks to change this by identifying risks earlier and offering support before young people reach that tipping point.

How It Works

Developed in partnership with Cardiff University and Llamau, and inspired by the successful Geelong Project in Australia, Upstream uses a universal survey tool in schools to screen for four key risk areas:

  • Housing Stability (individual and family)

  • Mental Health & Wellbeing

  • Resilience

  • Engagement in Education

The survey is anonymised but uses unique identifiers so that young people at risk can be quickly and sensitively engaged by trusted adults. Support is then tailored and agreed with the young

The Bigger Picture

Upstream is more than a programme—it’s a long-term systems change initiative. It takes time to embed and see impact. In Australia, it took three years to see a 40% reduction in youth homelessness and a 20% drop in early school leaving. Here in the North East, over the past two years, Aberdeen Foyer has been supporting young people with this approach.  We will continue to build on our progress and work with more schools in the months ahead.

By shifting focus to prevention, Upstream aims to reduce homeless presentations, improve educational engagement, and ultimately help young people thrive.