Premier

More Support For At Risk Children And Youth

16 October 2018

The Andrews Labor Government is partnering with some of Victoria’s leading social service providers to deliver more support for vulnerable children and young people disengaging from education, training and employment.

As part of its $30 million Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage initiative, the Labor Government has selected Berry Street and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), as well as Melbourne City Mission (MCM), to further develop their innovative proposals, following a robust procurement process.

Berry Street and VACCA’s proposal aims to improve outcomes for primary school students by providing schools with culturally-informed training, courses and strategies to engage vulnerable students.

It will also provide intensive wrap-around support for vulnerable children and their families, with students that identify as Aboriginal expected to make up 25 per cent of the program.

MCM’s proposal would provide coordinated support services around individual needs within a flexible learning environment, to help young people with mental health conditions who are not engaged in education.

These services will help students complete Year 10 or higher at the Hester Hornbrook Academy – an independent school that caters for students with complex needs.

Both programs will explore new approaches to addressing disadvantage, including robust systems to measure outcomes, and are expected to be further developed during 2019.

The Labor Government’s Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage initiative brings together public, philanthropic, private and not-for-profit sectors to solve challenging social issues.

Partnerships will complement current Government programs and do not replace existing services.

For more information on Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage, visit dtf.vic.gov.au/funds-programs-and-policies External Link

Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas

“We’re proud to work with these organisations to find new ways to tackle disadvantage among young Victorians.”

“Partnerships like these are the key to unlocking innovative approaches to tackling challenging social problems and providing better opportunities for the Victorians who need it most.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos

“We know young people with mental illness can face some of the biggest challenges when it comes to engaging at school or work – and these Partnerships are a way to help them get the support they need to get ahead in life.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?