- Published:
- Friday 20 March 2026 at 8:30 am
The Allan Labor Government is intervening early to support kids at risk and keep Victorians safe.
23 schools across Victoria have been selected to receive Early Intervention Officers.
The officers are part of Labor’s $5.6 million investment in the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), to provide support for kids who need it most.
The officers will work within schools, supporting our teachers, principals and wellbeing teams to:
- Identify students who are most in need of support
- Provide a case management approach for continuity of care
- Improve school attendance, sense of belonging, and their relationships with peers
- Connect schools, teachers and families to resolve issues and achieve positive outcomes.
Organisations partnering with schools include the Centre for Multicultural Youth, Foundation House, Jesuit Social Services and the Les Twentyman Foundation.
The officers will be placed in the below schools:
- Roxburgh College
- Melton Secondary College
- Weeroona College
- Crusoe 7-10 Secondary College
- Manor Lakes P-12 College
- Greater Shepparton Secondary College
- Charles La Trobe P-12 College
- Maryborough Education Centre
- Fountain Gate Secondary College
- Staughton College
- Kambrya College
- Chaffey Secondary College
- Kurnai College
- Yarra Hills Secondary College
- Melba College
- Lowanna College
- Copperfield College
- Springside West Secondary College
- Keysborough Secondary College
- Tarneit Senior College
- Tarneit P-9 College
- Pakenham Secondary College
- Newcomb Secondary College
This builds on the VRU’s Early Intervention Sports and Activities Menu – keeping kids engaged in positive activities to stop them heading down the wrong path.
Offending among boys aged 10-17 years old is down. Programs like these will maintain the positive momentum to further drive down youth offending.
Jess Wilson’s Liberals have already announced plans to cut the VRU to fill their $11.1 billion budget black hole.
Only Labor has new solutions to make life easier, safer and more affordable for Victorians.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“Keeping children engaged in school is the best tool against youth crime.”
“Having positive peer relationships at school helps keep at-risk kids focused and out of the youth justice system.”
“Schools do an incredible job, and Early Intervention Officers will provide dedicated case management for troubled kids.”
Quotes attributable to Interim Violence Reduction Unit CEO Andrea Davidson
“The VRU is working to stop violence before it starts through early intervention, strengthening communities and evidence led action.”
“Data shows that 70 per cent of Victoria’s most significant alleged youth offenders were chronically absent from school before they turned to crime.”
“The evidence is clear that staying engaged in education and having positive peer relationships at school is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of young people getting involved in criminal behaviour.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“Organisations like the Les Twentyman Foundation in Footscray do vital work to keep kids engaged in learning at school.”