Communities@Work Submissionto the ACT Government’s Out of Home are Strategy2015-2020
Communities@Work (C@W) provides a broad suite of quality community programs of social value and practical benefit.
Our vision is for a resilient and socially inclusive community that cares for the well-being of all.
Introduction:
Communities@Work welcome the opportunity to respond to the development of the ACT Government’s Out of Home Care Strategy 2015-2020 and would like to acknowledge the significant work produced thus far. The timely reforms in both legislation and practice will hopefully have a great impact on the future of vulnerable children, young people and families in the ACT.
Communities@Work would like to raise three key points in relation to the educational needs of children & young people who are at risk of entering, have entered and/or are transitioning from out of home care. For the purpose of this submission the term ‘children and young people in care’ will be used to represent all three of the above arrangements.
Background:
Children and young people in care have most likely experienced trauma, either isolated or accumulative. The experience of trauma has a significant impact on the development of a child or young person socially, emotionally and developmentally. Trauma can have both a direct and indirect impact on the development of a child or young person, becoming a barrier to their ability to learn and affecting their memory, attentiveness, ability to communicate, behaviour and response to stress. In addition, due to placement changes, children and young people in care often attend a number of schools throughout their educational career, which in itself is a potential barrier to achieving successful educational outcomes.
Comments:
Communities@Workwelcomes clarification on ultimate responsibility ofthe education needs of children and young people in care in the ACT:
- Does the responsibility of the educational outcomes of children and young people in care in the ACT sit with the Community Services Directorate, the Education and Training Directorate, or perhaps both?
As the educational needs of children and young people in care has not been addressed in the Proposed Out of Home Care Policy Directions, it could be assumed that education, as with health, might exist in the secondary ‘realm’ of wrap around support for children and young people in care. Clarification on this would be welcomed and provide a better understanding the ACT government’s commitment.
Communities@Work would like to raise the following three points in relation the education needs of children and young people in care in the ACT:
- Children and young people in care are more vulnerable to a range of educational barriers and therefore require additional resources to ensure they have the same opportunities as other children and young people.
Priority of resources should be given to children and young people in care regardless of whether they are enrolled in the government, independent or catholic school systems.
Specialist support workers, educators or tutors who are providing educational based services to children and young people in care should be trauma informed and both qualified and experienced in the impact of trauma on development and learning outcomes for children and young people.
- In line with s8 Children & Young People Act 2008, the best interest of the child must also be paramount in decision making related to the educational needs of children and young people in care.
If it is in the best interest of the child or young person to remain enrolled and participating in the mainstream schooling system, it is imperative the mainstream schooling system is equipped with the resources to provide the support that is evidence based, innovative and flexible in meeting the needs of children and young people in care, in an education environment.
- Young people transitioning from care and from education simultaneously are particularly vulnerable and face significant challenges.
S9(b) Children & Young People Act 2008 - General Principles(b) states‘the child’s or young person’s education, training or lawful employment should be encouraged and continued without unnecessary interruption’. Therefore, individualised and young person centred ‘after care’ support is vital to ensuring a young person has access to the same opportunities ‘post care’ and post school’ as any other child or young person.
Contact:
Samantha Dellamarta
Director, Youth Services
Communities@Work
P:(02) 62289200
E:
W:
PO Box 1066 Tuggeranong ACT 2901
References
Children & Young People Act 2008
McDowall, J. J. (2013) Experiencing Out of Home Care in Australia: The Views of Children and Young People (CREATE Report Card 2013). Sydney: CREATE Foundation.
StannardGromisch, E.How Trauma Affects Learning, Memory and Attention. Bright Hub Education.