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Recommendation 16
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Recommendation 18
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Initiatives targeting Recommendation 18

Australian Capital Territory

Full Service Schools

A number of programs have been established as part of the Full Service Schools Program for Students at Risk, a program that was funded till June 2001 by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs. A Full Service Schools Unit was established in the ACT Department of Education and Community Services to manage and co-ordinate projects funded under the scheme.

The following projects were established.

  • 'Preparing yourself for the future' , a six to eight week course designed for young people who have dropped out, or are about to drop out of school. It is based around the transition period from Year 10 to Year 11.
  • 'The Bay', offering students at the largest ACT secondary college, on-site access to a range of health and community support services.
  • Alternative Community Education (ACE) Program, a part-time and casual work skills program run in partnership with the HTC Vocational Institute Pty Ltd and Westfield Shopping Town. The program provides training in customer service, application and curriculum vitae development, management and organisational skills, occupational health and safety, interview skills and business operation skills.
  • Youth Initiatives Program, which provides a tailored program for individual students involving community groups and youth agencies in the support of the young people.

Target Group: Students at risk

Coverage: Territory wide

Timeframe: Ongoing as funding allows

Responsible agency: ACT Department of Education and Community Services, DEST

Contact Information: Community Partnerships, (02) 6205 8533, 

Website: http://www.decs.act.gov.au/services/fssunit.htm

Gugan Gulwan Indigenous Youth Centre

A High School Support Centre has been established to provide a pro-active early intervention program for families with adolescent children who are experiencing family conflict and/or dealing with issues such as substance abuse. The program focuses on young people aged 16 and under. It has the resources to intervene within 48 hours providing high intensity family mediation and counselling, and the capacity for ongoing follow up to manage and prevent the escalation of family crisis.

Target Group: Indigenous young people aged 12-25

Coverage: Territory wide

Timeframe: Ongoing as funding allows

Responsible Agency: ACT Department of Education and Community Services

Contact Information: Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation, (02) 6295 8500

Website: www.decs.act.gov.au

Extension of Youth Connection Youth Work Service

The Youth Connection Service provides a specialised family counselling service for 60 at-risk families, in order to support improvements in the level of resilience in these families.

Target Group: At risk families

Coverage: Territory wide

Timeframe: Ongoing as funding allows

Responsible Agency: ACT Department of Education and Community Services

Contact Information: Youth and Community Services, (02) 6205 0533

Website: www.decs.act.gov.au

Reclink - Recreation support program for at-risk youth.

A community-based program has been established to provide accessible sport, recreation, and support programs for at-risk youth. The program will work intensively with young people to increase community participation and encourage the constructive use of leisure time. The target group includes young people aged between 12 and 25 years who are at risk of homelessness, substance abuse, being victims of crime, or becoming involved in the youth justice system.

Target Group: Young people aged 12-25

Coverage: Territory wide

Timeframe: Ongoing as funding allows

Responsible Agency: ACT Department of Education and Community Services

Website: www.decs.act.gov.au