Come December, the Youth Connections national program which supports young people who are at risk or who have disengaged from school or work, will be cut from the Federal Governments future plans.

Youth Support Worker Bec Ford who heads up the program said she was concerned by the ramifications of culling support to struggling teenagers.

“As of December I’ll be out of a job,” Ms Ford said.

“The government are definitely not renewing it – what that means for Tenterfield is quite unclear at this stage.

“It does mean young people in Tenterfield will have little support,” she said.

Youth Connections providers offer outreach activities for young people who are disengaged from education, training or employment to better support them in their local communities.

Bec works with kids aged between 11 and 19 and said those kids could simply “fall through the cracks” without the proper support.

“It doesn’t necessarily just have to be kids who are disengaged. I also work with kids through bullying and mental health issues.”

Four years into her work in Tenterfield, she’s seen growth but worries the progress could see a sharp U-turn.

“It could mean a rise in mental health and a drop in school attendance. It could also create a huge issue with youth homelessness,” she said.

A recent report released by the NSW government delving into disadvantaged children across the state tabled some startling figures for the area.

The Tenterfield Shire has the third highest child poverty rate in NSW, only behind Kyogle and Brewarrina.

The statistics are based on socioeconomic variables, housing and education.

It currently sits at 27.94 per cent, a “scary” statistic according to Ms Ford.

Tenterfield also ranks in the top 10 communities with the largest proportion of children developmentally vulnerable in terms of physical health, emotional maturity, social competence, literacy and general knowledge.

“Each of these things has a ripple on effect for Tenterfield,” Ms Ford said.

Bec said she has a case load and can work with up to 45 people but doesn’t often stretch that far.

“To provide a good service it’s better to go up to 25.”

The future of those children lies in the hands of the state government with Youth Connections representatives set to appeal to salvage the program.

If not, Bec said things will need to be done more “in house” to support kids at school and home.

She also indicated changes to Centrelink and other youth support services could alter things significantly too.

“It could be really concerning when those things come in next year as well.”

If you’re struggling with issues at school or home you can contact Tenterfield Family and Youth Support Services on 6736 2619.