The Andrews Labor Government is supporting children in out-of-home care to get the best out of their education with the launch of the new LOOKOUT Education Support Centre.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos announced the service at the LOOKOUT and Navigator Summit at Footscray Art Centre today.
The LOOKOUT Centre will be staffed by education and allied health professionals who will work collaboratively with schools, carers, child protection and community service organisations.
Together, they will provide advice, support and training to prioritise the educational needs of students in out-of-home care, ensuring schools are inclusive of our most vulnerable students.
LOOKOUT Education Support Centres are being established across Victoria to help more than 6000 school-aged children and young people in out-of-home care complete their education.
The first LOOKOUT Centre will provide support services across Victoria’s south west, with three other centres expected to open next year to ensure young Victorians in out-of-home care across the state will be supported.
The Labor Government also recently announced that the $8.6 million Navigator scheme will be piloted in eight areas across the state, to support disengaged teenagers to return to school.
Together, these programs work towards meeting our key Education State targets of breaking the link between disadvantage and education, and reducing student disengagement.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“We need to make sure children in out-of-home care have the support needed to get the most out of their education - LOOKOUT is another example of how we are getting on with that.”
“Our Roadmap to Reform is ensuring there is more support for vulnerable families and children. LOOKOUT Centres will provide a crucial new approach to keep children and young people in out-of-home care engaged in education.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We are building the Education State because we want every Victorian student to have a great education, no matter what their background, and services like LOOKOUT are critical for this.”
“LOOKOUT provides a unique service to support some of our most vulnerable students so they get the education opportunities they deserve.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020