Three Approaches to supporting the educational needs of children and young people in care UnitingCare Burnside/ Marist Youth Care/ Wesley Dalmar. 14 August 2006

Education Western Sydney ‘Leaving care studies consistently show that care leavers are many times more likely than their peers to be unemployed, to become pregnant in adolescence, to be homeless, to engage in health-threatening behaviours such as smoking and misusing alcohol or drugs, and to suffer from eating disorders and mental health problems’ (Jackson & Martin, 1998: 570)

What works? Stability – in placement & school Carers & workers who value educational attainment Celebrating successes A range of flexible responses to changing needs.

What UnitingCare Burnside Education Program WS does 1:1 tutoring Consultancy & advice for workers and carers Assessments from preschoolers up

Training for workers and carers Education workers in residential care units Advocacy with schools Flexible responses to changing and varied needs. What UnitingCare Burnside Education Program WS does

Resource carers and workers to support educational outcomes Make education a priority at all levels of the organisation as well as in the case planning Use a range of flexible strategies to meet the changing needs of children and young people in care as they arise… My Message

….and share what you learn!

MYC EDUCATION PROGRAMS Incorporating Education Support Services Vocational Support “One size does not fit all”

Our Accommodation Programs Residential programs 27 High and Complex Needs young people St. Vincent ’ s Adolescent Care Up to 10 young people in Family Restoration Supported Accommodation (SAAP) 17 young people

MYC Young People - A Snapshot Reflect documented statistics Average Age 16.0 Diagnosed Psychiatric Conditions None27 % One 42% Two or more31% Average Year of School Completed 8.8 Average number of schools attended 4

MYC Education Programs An Historical Perspective 2003 “ What does Education have to do with Welfare? ” “ They ’ re suspended - isn ’ t it your job to look after them? ” 2004 – 2005 “ Anything to do with school – Education will fix it. ” 2006 “ What are the Educational Goals for this young person and how will we assist them to be achieved? ”

What do we do? MYC Education Programs Educational Assessment IEP Development and Implementation Day Program provision Resources for Agency Staff Training Tutoring Access to external education providers Casework support

HENRY (Aged 15) Mother Deceased, Father Unknown Parental Responsibility to the Minister until 18 Diagnosed ADHD and Conduct Disorder Refusing Medication Serious Abuse and Neglect Issues – physical and suspected sexual In Long Term Foster and Residential Care Health Professional(s) involvement – Anger Management, Grief and Loss, Trauma

School History Previously in Mainstream School ED Class At age 15 school transferred enrolment to alternative educational environment due to non-compliance and behavioural issues Assessed not IM by definition Academically working at 4 – 5 years below chronological age

MYC Education Plan What are we doing? Mainstream School : Life Skills School Certificate ‘ Pete ’ s Place ’ Day Program MYC ‘ Job Squad ’ work skills program Tutoring in Residential Placement IEP Goals Reviewed Monthly

Our Challenge “ Education for children and young people in care can be a place of safety, support and growth. Too many children and young people in care do not have this experience. Our challenge is to create a best practice system that nurtures the individual and responds to the collective needs of children and young people in care.” (CREATE Foundation)

Wesley Dalmar Out of Home Care Education Program

OUR CLIENTS Foster Care Programs Castle Hill Penrith Tuggerah Residential Programs Gateway Cottage, Lewisham Carlisle Cottage, Mt Druitt Caring for over 150 children and young people at any one time.

Meeting the challenge Supporting our residential program A Learning Centre at Gateway Cottage. Its two main functions are: 1.To provide the space and the resources for regular educational mentoring. 2.To provide the space and resources for suspension programs as needed.

Meeting the Challenge Supporting education in our Foster care programs Providing “on call” education advice to caseworkers. Providing suspension programs and support to carers. Advocating for educational assistance at case conferences and school meetings. Distributing an education newsletter to carers each term.

Case Study Sarah on Suspension

Jeannie Baker is a very important person and is a famous artist. Jeannie Baker is very talented. She has done a lot of things like collages and paintings. Jeannie has made many books. Right now I am studying her book named BELONGING.

Jeannie Baker was born in England and is now living in Australia. Since 1972 she has worked on her collage constructions many of which are designed to illustrate picture books but stand individually as works of art.

Her collages are made from natural and man made materials. She uses things like bark, feathers, cracked paint,wool, tin, paint and plants. Some collages take about two to three years to make. She builds them up layer by layer.

This book, Belonging, is a wordless book. It tells the story through changes in the same place viewed out of a window. We see what changes out of the window every two years. The scene though the window changes from ugly to beautiful.

Jeannie Baker is trying to tell us that us that we need to nurture where we live and care for our environment. If we do this we will not just have a place to live but we will have a place to belong. If we keep our environment healthy it will sustain the web of life on which we depend.

Outcomes of Sarah’s learning flight. Development of research skills Development of computer skills Development of language skills Understanding of issues for urban communities A sense of achievement and experience of success. Confidence to take initiative with learning. Goals for the future

Education prioritise support and resource a chance for success