Innovative Community Action Networks Local solutions to locally identified barriers to successful engagement and retention in learning. Innovative -new ways to address issues Community -working together Action -focus on doing Networks -local and joined up approach

The cost of Early School Leaving When young people do not complete school, Education Foundation Australia (2007) suggests that they can expect: lower wages and greater financial insecurity poorer mental and physical health a higher likelihood of child abuse and neglect when early leavers become parents higher instances of homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse and criminal activity mortality rates up to nine times higher than the general population. Early school leaving and lower levels of education cost Australia an estimated $2.6 billion a year in higher social welfare, health and crime prevention. Education Foundation Australia (2007)

Brief History of ICAN 2003 Social Inclusion Board’s SCHOOL RETENTION ACTION PLAN 2004-2008 – Four ICAN’s COAG – Nation Partnerships expansion

Smarter Schools National Partnerships Student Centred Outcomes All strategies are designed ultimately to contribute to increasing student attainment throughout the schooling cycle (primary, through secondary into further education, training or employment). All strategies are based on current evidence about what works: Increasing student engagement and attainment through case management, mentoring and other personalised support Achieving better student outcomes through innovative whole-of-school approaches 3. Lifting whole-of-school student outcomes through strengthening school leadership 4. Maximising student learning through teachers teaching differently 5. Building connections between students, schools and communities through authentic community engagement

STUDENT POPULATION PROFILE STUDENT RISK PROFILE DECS INITIATIVES EXTREME RISK ICAN School & Community Based Programs & services for learning & engagement -intensive case management -Flexible Learning Options (FLO) Significantly Disengaged Small numbers of young people 10-19yrs HIGH RISK Partly Disengaged A few students STUDENT MENTORING School Based 1:1 supportive relationship Community Volunteer Mentoring Secondary Mentoring Moderately Engaged Some students ENGAGED DISENGAGED Very Engaged Many students YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Whole school capacity building School based programs & strategies to increase student engagement and learning across the middle years Extremely Engaged Most students

It takes a whole village…. ICAN promotes a shared responsibility for a range of social inclusion factors Disengagement is merely one symptom of other issues By sharing the responsibility across the whole of community, the issues are addressed collectively rather than fragmented across ‘silo’ approaches by multiple services

Flexible Learning Options (FLO) FLO is a targeted ENROLMENT strategy Enables schools to flexibly engage individual students in school/community learning. Provides individual case management to address the barriers (personal and learning) that prevent successful engagement and retention. Community Partnership Approach-adding value to current supports FLO is not a “program”

ICAN Management Committees Each ICAN area has an active local ICAN Management Committee, led by an independent chair and made up of representatives from key government and non-government agencies Their role is to identify local barriers to youth engagement and determine the ICAN strategic directions for their area ICAN Management Committees oversee the allocation of ICAN Community Partnership Funding of up to $100,000 per year/per committee

Outer Southern ICAN Management Committee Has key strategy groups in each major locale; Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu Peninsula and Outer South Metro Key Strategy Development Group in the Outer South Metro is the Southern Youth Round Table One Key Focus Area for 2011 is Innovative Demonstration Models Successful Applicant – Re-Engage Youth Services in partnership with Real Justice - ‘The Challenge’

THE CHALLENGE PROJECT Re-Engage Youth Services & Real Justice An explicit framework based on restorative principles that provides structured opportunities for young people to develop a sense of responsibility and accountability & strengthen their engagement to their social environment It assists young people to restore relationships that have broken down and build & maintain relationships that are meaningful and supportive Aim is to train youth case managers in the Outer Southern region to incorporate The Challenge into case management practice when working with young people and their communities of care ( families, peers, school etc)

The Challenge The initial training will involve youth case workers from both Re-Engage Youth Services and other agencies across the Outer South region This project will ultimately incorporate schools, families, other youth services and govt organisations It will be especially relevant for young people who are at risk of offending or re-offending within the Juvenile Justice system

Contact Details www.ican.sa.edu.au Lucie Walker A/Regional Manager – Greater Southern ICAN Department of Education and Children's Services (DECS) Phone:  (08) 8207 3792 Mobile:  0457 838 709 email:  lucie.walker@sa.gov.au  Cheryl Bevan Local Program Manager - Outer South ICAN Phone: 08 8207 3822 Mobile: 0457 101 170 Email: Cheryl.bevan@sa.gov.au   www.ican.sa.edu.au