1. Navigator Briefing Tuesday 15 March 2016

2. Education State The Education State has been introduced to change the way we think, the way we work and the way we work together. The Education State is about improving outcomes for every student, in every classroom, in every school and in all communities and has a strong focus on addressing disadvantage.

3. Investment $32m for Local Learning and Employment Networks $13.2m for LOOKOUT Education Support Centres $8.6m for a new Navigator service $30m to provide the basics that students need $1.6m for mentoring programs Increased regional support (150 new regional staff) The Education State includes a strong commitment to addressing disengagement, targeting at risk cohorts:

4. Happy, healthy and resilient kids Learning for Life More students will: be active be resilient More students will: develop strong critical & creative thinking excel in maths and science excel in the arts and reading Raise the levels of community pride and confidence in government schools Ambitious Targets Pride and confidence in our schools More students will: stay in education not be impacted by disadvantage Breaking the Link

5. In 2013 6,800 Year 9 to 12 government school students left school early and were not engaged in education and training by August the following year In Victoria, a significant number of children and young people are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education or training Disengagement Legal Economic Social Moral Modest estimations put the cost benefit of intervention programs to address disengagement between 2.36:1 to 19:1, where for every $1 spent the State will receive a return of up to $19 Left unsupported disengaged young people are at high risk of developing anti-social behaviours that impact on their life trajectory and on the lives of others in the community All children and young people are afforded the best start in life and are supported to reach their true potential, regardless of their background Under the Education Training and Reform Act 2006, schooling is compulsory for 6-17 year olds

6. Research shows that by age 24, 26% of young people have not made a successful transition to full time tertiary education or the workforce Disengagement Findings show that some students who do fall behind at some key transition points can recover, and that students who are on track can still fall behind at key milestones. Of greatest concern is that many students who are behind when they commence formal schooling never recover and fall further and further behind. (Mitchell Institute 2015)

7. What works Young people can effectively re-engage with education – Approximately 60% of Victorians engaged by Youth Connections providers through the Individual Support Service offering re-engaged in education or training or recorded a sustained improvement in education, training or employment Individual case management is important because integrated responses help reduce confusion and are more efficient and effective Solutions that are driven locally tend to be more effective It is important that re-engagement programs are evaluated rigorously Learning from Youth Connections

8. Navigator Navigator aims to improve education outcomes for disengaged young people by providing one-to-one support Support disengaged learners, aged 12-17 years, to re-engage with an education or training pathway Delivered by community organisations (individually or in partnership with other organisations or schools), who will work closely with local area schools and regional offices Navigator will reach out to disengaged young people and actively work with them and their support networks to return them to education or training Navigator will offer a distinct service and be integrated with the service continuum aimed at supporting disengaged and at risk young people

9. Navigator pilot area map

10. Navigator theory of change Inputs 1. Knowledge of the local context, the Victorian education system and learner re-engagement 2. Expertise and experience of working with vulnerable young people Processes 1. Assertive outreach 2. Assessment and planning 3. Group Conferences 4. Supporting growth 5. Relationship building 6. Follow up in schools Outputs 1. A Service Plan 2. Individual Education Plans 3. School re-engagements 4. Social and emotional skill development Re-engaged and resilient learners Improved social and emotional capabilities Schools that are better equipped to engage learners Satisfied clients Outcomes

11. At risk young person Poor attendance patterns Expelled Suspensions Conflict with peers and teachers Bullying Poor academic performance Mental health issues Disengaged young person Chronic non- attendance for 13+ weeks Significant barriers to learning and engagement Assertive outreach Referral to specialist services (AoD, mental health, housing) Mediation and advocacy with school Group conference involving: Student Family School Support services Other agencies (e.g. police) School based interventions and supports (school capacity enhanced by SFYS) Mentoring Tutoring School initiatives Family engagement Practical interventions Re-engagement programs Student Support Services Individual Education Plans Trigger Referral to Navigator Re- engagement plan Re- connection back to school of origin, other mainstream school or education pathway Navigator services will provide one-on-one support to disengaged young people who have not been re-engaged by other school services and strategies Navigator: indicative service offering Indicative service offering

12. Roles Schools: Identify, refer, support and enrol young people Regional and Area offices: Key point of contact for schools and Navigator providers Navigator Provider: outreach, case management, contact with young person’s family/support networks, group conferences, IEPs, referrals, social and emotional development for young person, follow up Other Sector partners: additional re-engagement services, health and wellbeing services, tutoring/coaching, other community sector supports

13. Roles Outreach Individual Case Management Contact with young person’s family/support networks Facilitate Group Conferences Develop Individual Education Plans Refer young person to external support services Development of young person’s social and emotional capability Transition support as learners re-engage in education Navigator Provider

14. Student Pathway Other support The initial meetings and assessments may identify needs that should be provided through other services. Initial Contact Needs Assessments Navigator Provider Referral to Navigator Individual Education Plan Engagement in education Mainstream Alternative setting (Could be temporary strategy prior to engagement into mainstream education) Group conferences *in development – indicative only

15. Roles Other Sector partners Health and wellbeing services for young people Additional re- engagement services (e.g. SFYS, Reconnect) Other community sector supports Tutoring/ Coaching services for young people Sector partners

16. Other requirements Navigator providers will need to operate within all legislative requirements and operating guidelines including: Working with Children legislation Child Safe Standards Occupational Health and Safety requirements Working in schools Meeting legislative requirements

17. Application Form The KSC are designed to ensure applicants demonstrate: their knowledge of and linkages within the nominated Area; the capability and capacity of their organisation to deliver the service and the outcomes; and their ability to implement Navigator services in the Area to meet local needs and circumstances. High Quality Service Model (30%) Proven Outcomes(30%) Strong Partnerships (20%) High Return on Investment (20%) Key Selection Criteria

18. Navigator Next Steps Seek applications from and appoint service providers Closing date for applications – 23 March 2016 Navigator providers confirmed During Term 2 - Service delivery commences

19. Questions?