Initiatives targeting Recommendation 16 

New South Wales

Primary Connect

The Primary Connect program supports children aged from 5 to 12 years and their families. Participating departments and agencies will work together to assist children to build connections between families, schools and communities.

The purpose of the proposed pilot projects is to find more effective ways to deal with the needs of children who are at risk of disconnecting from school early, of drug use, of offending, of self-harming behaviour or from mental or physical health problems.

Primary Connect will facilitate and co-ordinate family support services and youth development activities. Projects in the Macquarie Fields and Fairfield areas will operate in addition to the Schools as Community Centres programs already established in these districts. The project in the Warrawong area will be delivered by a non-government organisation, Barnardos Australia.

Target group: Children 5-12 years and their families.

Coverage: Communities in South Western Sydney and the Illawarra region.

Timeframe: Three years

Responsible agency: The project is a joint initiative between the NSW Department of Education and Training, Office of Children and Young People, Department of Community Services, Department of Housing, NSW Health and Barnardos Australia.

Website: www.det.nsw.gov.au

Peer support networks

The NSW Department of Education and Training has a well-established student participation and leadership program that focuses on Student Representative Councils (SRCs) in both primary and secondary schools. The current emphasis is on encouraging equity, fairness and participation for all students in schools including students that are at risk of becoming disconnected.

A State wide student leadership network supports government secondary school SRCs. This network is responsible for two state forums (NSW SRC and State SRC Conference Working Party), 40 district SRC forums and a school SRC in each government secondary school.

The Department is encouraging inclusiveness for Aboriginal students by promoting the Student Leadership is for Koori Kids Program (SLIKK), the inclusion of two Aboriginal student leaders on the NSW SRC and the participation of ten Aboriginal student leaders at the annual State SRC Conference.

A resource for primary schools, Student leadership framework for primary schools was launched and disseminated to schools late in 2001.

Target group: Students Kindergarten to Year 12, Aboriginal students, students from rural and remote, ethnic and/or socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Coverage: All government primary and secondary schools.

Timeframe: 2002 - 2004

Responsible Agency: NSW Department of Education and Training.

District behaviour teams

Each government school district has a specialist district behaviour team. These teachers work with students with behaviour difficulties in their home schools. They provide direct support to students, support and advice for teachers and consultancy and training support for schools in the area of behaviour management. In some districts, innovative services have been established using the behaviour resources including off campus alternate behaviour programs.

Target group: Students in government schools requiring additional support in achieving and maintaining appropriate behaviour.

Coverage: State wide

Timeframe: Ongoing.

Responsible agency: NSW Department of Education and Training

Website: www.det.nsw.gov.au

Links to Learning Community Grants Program

The Links to Learning Community Grants Program provides funding to community organisations to assist young people at risk of leaving school early or who have left school early. The aim of the Program is to assist young people who experience significant difficulties participating in formal learning environments to access, remain in or return to education or training.

The Links to Learning Community Grants Program is characterised by using the expertise and networks of community based organisations to locate and motivate young people at risk, particularly young people who are alienated from mainstream institutions and organisations. This includes the use of streetwork strategies and other activities based in local youth centres. These 'first to know' community based organisations then work with the young person, family and other organisations to provide co-ordinated intensive support.

Target group: Secondary school age students at risk of disengaging and those who have disengaged from schooling.

Coverage: Secondary school aged students in selected areas identified by their high level of need for community based services.

Timeframe: 2002 - 2004.

Responsible Agency: NSW Department of Education and Training in collaboration with non-government private providers (community organisations).

Website: www.det.nsw.gov.au