By Sumeyya Ilanbey
A program designed to reconnect disengaged youth with training and education has been expanded to Melton.
The Navigator program has been rolled out in the Central Highlands, Bayside Peninsula, Southern Melbourne, Mallee, Goulburn, Ovens Murray and Hume-Moreland.
The state government last week announced a $43.8 million expansion of the program to include the Brimbank-Melton area, Loddon Campaspe (Bendigo and Echuca), and inner Gippsland next year.
The program supports young people aged 12 to 17 who are not attending school, or struggling with attendance, by connecting them with a case worker and a range of support services to forge a path back into education.
Anglicare Victoria provides the program in Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley, in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Anglicare Victoria’s Navigator team leader Sandra Inserra said she was “thrilled” with the decision to expand the program to Brimbank and Melton.
Ms Inserra said the program targets
young people who attended less than 15 days of school in a 10-week period, with many of the student absenteeism rates hovering even below that.
“We get to know the young person and the family, and unpack what aspirations they might have, where they’d like to be and also gain a clear understanding of potential barriers that have stopped young people from attending school,” Ms Inserra said.
“Education provides opportunities, and all young people deserve to have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
