Initiatives targeting Recommendation 17 

Victoria

Managed Individual Pathways Initiative

Tagged resources will provide guidance support for students with a case management approach to services, including Pathways Planning. This initiative is a strong tool for recognition of problems in schools.

Target group: Young people aged 15 - 19 years especially those at risk of dropping out of formal education or training

Coverage: State wide in government schools, TAFE and ACE sectors

Timeframe: 2001-2003

Responsible Agency: Department of Education and Training

Website: www.det.vic.gov.au

Pathways Project

This project is designed to inform pathways policy, in particular the development of local models for developing student pathway plans.

Target group: Young people aged 15 - 19 years especially those who need additional support to remain in education, training or employment.

Coverage: Phase 1 - initially in 12 areas of high need Phase 2 - until February 2002 -ten additional areas In addition, four projects for young people from Spanish-speaking countries, the Horn of Africa and from Koori backgrounds not engaged in education but who spend time in the City of Melbourne

Timeframe: August 2000- February 2002

Responsible Agency: Office of Portfolio Integration, Department of Education and Training

Website: www.det.vic.gov.au

Local Learning and Employment Networks

LLENs bring together the expertise and experience of local education and training providers, industry, community and government organisations and individuals to improve education, training and employment outcomes for 15 to 19 year olds through local initiatives

Target group: Young people aged 15 - 19 years

Coverage: Metropolitan, rural and regional communities across Victoria

Timeframe: 2001-2004

Responsible Agency: Department of Education and Training

Working with Children and Adolescents Affected by Torture and Trauma - The Rainbow Program for Refugee Students - Not a Matter of Choice

Training programs, learning and teaching resources to support refugee students in Victorian schools.

Target group: Refugee students, their teachers and parents

Coverage: Schools with refugee students

Timeframe: Ongoing

Responsible Agency: Department of Education and Training in conjunction with the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture

Connecting Through the Middle Years

This project's objectives are to trial the Advocacy approach in years 5-9 to:

• improve young people's connection to school;
• increase young people's personal skills relating to self-understanding;
• promote and develop individual learning and pathways plans;
• improve knowledge within the learning organisation of individual students; and
• develop and disseminate support materials and approaches for teachers working with young people.

Target group: Students in years 5-9 who are at risk of disconnecting from their peers, family, school and community

Coverage: Pilot of 5 primary schools and secondary schools in 2001 with a further 16 schools being added to program in 2002

Timeframe: After pilot completed anticipated that most schools will adopt program

Responsible Agency: Department of Education and Training

Website: www.det.vic.gov.au

Student Action Teams Project

Student Action Teams involve young people working together with teachers, local government and other community groups to investigate, identify and implement strategies for promoting safer communities.

Target group: Students in years 5-9 who are at risk of disconnecting from their peers, family, school and community

Coverage: Pilot of 39 primary and secondary schools in 2001

Timeframe: After pilot has been completed it is anticipated that most schools will attend professional development in relation to the program

Responsible Agency: Learning and Teaching Innovation Division of the Department of Education and Training, VicHealth and Department of Justice - Crime Prevention Victoria

Website: www.det.vic.gov.au

Enhancing Specialist Behaviour Services - Adolescent Initiative

This initiative aims to develop a comprehensive service model of prevention and treatment for adolescents with a disability who have been identified as 'at risk" of displaying offending behaviour or have established patterns of offending behaviour.

Target group: Adolescents with a disability who are at risk of displaying offending behaviours or have established patterns of offending behaviour

Coverage: All nine Disability Services Regional Offices around Victoria have received funds to implement and pilot a range of models Timeframe: Ongoing

Responsible Agency: Department of Human Services, Disability Services Division