The state government’s Navigator program will be expanded to support more Victorian students at risk of disengaging from education, including those in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
A new funding pilot for the program will expand support for children aged 12 to 17 to children aged 10 to 11, to enable earlier intervention and support as they transition from primary to secondary school.
“The program provides case management support to the most severely disengaged learners to help create a pathway back to education. Since the program’s inception in 2016, Navigator has supported more than 5500 young people, of whom 3700 have re-engaged with education,” a government statement said.
“The Victorian Budget 2022-23 delivers an additional $37 million investment so the program can support an additional 1400 young people each year. From 2023 onwards, the program will be able to support 3000 students across Victoria each year. ”
Commencing in 2023, the pilot will start in Western Melbourne, Loddon Campaspe and Hume Moreland and Bayside Peninsula before being rolled out across the rest of the state.
“Navigator staff work one-on-one with young people and their families and schools to provide students with the specific and tailored support they need, as well as with schools to support each young person’s pathway back to regular attendance and engagement in learning,” the government said.
“The support helps students address underlying barriers to learning like mental health issues, substance abuse, insecure home environments and contact with the youth justice system.
“The investment also provides for four new regional practice lead positions and a central data scientist position, to support schools to intervene early with at risk students and draw upon the broader system of supports to prevent disengagement.”
Education Minister Natalie Hutchins said Navigator provides support to students who have been doing it tough, and encourages re-engagement through education.
“Thousands of young Victorians have returned to learning through this program, improving their career options and setting them up for the future – that’s why we’re expanding this Navigator to give every Victorian child the best chance in life,” she said.
