Outcomes from submissions to Reforming Support to Vulnerable
Young People A Discussion Paper
Slide 2
Introductory Remarks During November and December 2012 three
workshops were held with community service agencies delivering the
SFYS program, Principal Associations, representatives from Catholic
Education, Independent Schools and DEECD regional staff. A meeting
was held with the MAV and local government authorities. Local
government providers of SFYS were invited to provide their views on
improving responses to vulnerable young people in writing. The
outcomes of the workshops informed the development of Reforming
Support to Vulnerable Young People A Discussion Paper. During
January and February 2013, community and education providers,
including School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) stakeholders, were
invited to provide a response to the paper. The paper sought to
build on the learnings of programs like SFYS and gain feedback on
the perceived problem, desired outcomes, functions and governance
that would improve responses to vulnerable young people. 90
responses were received from approximately 100 service
providers.
Slide 3
Breakdown of Submissions Received Number of submissions by
organisation type Number of submissions by service boundary
type
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Summary of Responses Stakeholder contributions have agreed that
a systemic response focussing on engaging and re-engaging
vulnerable young people in learning needs to be: Outcome focussed,
accountable and flexible Able to identify a platform that supports
clear service co- ordination, planning and harnessing of community
resources. Responsive to the needs of local communities through an
area based governance structure that brings together agencies and
government departments at a local level.
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Scope - determining the problem Stakeholders highlighted the
following problems associated with engaging vulnerable young people
in learning: Fragmentation of response Family capacity to support
and engage Service and school capacity to respond Early
identification in universal settings Funding inconsistencies
Individual/social characteristics e.g. refugee background, poverty,
trauma.
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Scope what we are trying to achieve
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Opportunities to strengthen DEECDs approach to supporting
vulnerable young people Stakeholders identified the following
elements required to strengthen the support provided to vulnerable
young people: Embed a local point of contact through services or a
facilitator role to coordinate and navigate local responses Support
for implementing a No Wrong Door approach Establish a clear pathway
for young people not in education to re-engage with education
Resources funded to reflect need.
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Function summary of strategic responses PreventionEarly
InterventionIntervention Universal learning settings to provide
inclusive environment that supports all young people achieve
Universal learning settings to identify young people at risk and
provide an early response Agencies and learning settings to provide
consistent managed support Universal learning platforms responsible
for addressing common issues, e.g. bullying, positive relationships
Community Service Agencies to acknowledge learning as critical and
support re- engagement Learning settings need to be able to
re-engage the most vulnerable young people Stakeholders agree that
the function of a new approach to supporting vulnerable young
people should: Be evidence based and tailored Ensure a balance
between flexibility and accountability Encourage structured and
accountable partnerships Place young people at centre
Slide 9
Governance summary of responses Senior regional representation
is fundamental Avoid another layer of bureaucracy Areas need to
consider: Demography Population size Distance between regional
centres Unmet demand Diverse opinions on whether Governance should
focus on all young people or vulnerable young people only Evidence
based principles and criteria are required to inform function of
Governance.