Education support plans

Every child in care who is on an interim or final child protection order granting custody or guardianship to Child Safety and enrolled in a state or non-state school, will have an education support plan (ESP). Its development is led by the child’s school who will arrange a formal meeting inviting the child if they are old enough, you as the child’s care, the Child Safety Officer (CSO) and other people who are important to the child’s life.

The ESP will be reviewed, at a minimum, every 12 months. It is a working document and can be updated as the needs of the child change or when there is a change of school. It identifies:

• the child’s educational goals
• strategies to achieve those goals
• resources that are required and available
• who is responsible for implementing the strategies
• monitoring and reviewing processes

and includes:

• subjects being studied
• the child’s participation in subjects
• achievement levels
• areas of improvement and what may benefit your child such as:
  • literacy and numeracy tutoring
  • music and drama classes
  • homework centres
  • recovery reading
  • extension programs
• behaviour management plans and processes
• social and emotional wellbeing, including:
  • school support staff
  • buddies
  • other support programs.

The Department of Education receives funding from Child Safety to support the special needs of children in care, as identified in the ESP. Child Safety may provide child-related cost funding for additional tutoring outside of school, vocational fees and expenses, specified electives and teaching aids to meet the child’s education needs.

Senior Education and Training Plan

Year 10 is an important juncture in a young person’s life. As they enter the senior phase of learning they will experience new types of learning and also have opportunities to think about future careers, begin to set goals and undertake planning to realise their ambitions.

During Year 10, or in the year prior to the young person’s sixteenth birthday (whichever comes first), the Department of Education will work with the young person and others such as yourself and the CSO, to develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) plan. The SET plan is for any young person attending a state, independent or Catholic school.

It maps out a personalised learning path for the young person’s senior phase of learning, and establishes the necessary path to achieve their career goals, and/or a viable employment option.

Youth Support Coordinator Initiative

The Youth Support Coordinator (YSC) is focused on supporting retention and attainment of young people in Years 10 to 12 who have disengaged, or who are at risk of disengaging, from education. The initiative enhances opportunities for further education and sustainable future employment.

The role of a YSC is aimed at preventing premature withdrawal from education and training. They work directly with the individual young person and their carers as well as within schools and TAFEs. The availability of a YSC can be determined by contacting the child’s school.