Navigator pilot program extended

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Our Navigator pilot program in Victoria has been extended for a further 12 months and boosted with the addition of an extra case manager to meet higher than anticipated need.

The program – funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training – supports 12-17 year olds living between the City of Port Phillip and the Mornington Peninsula who have disengaged from school.

Our staff provide intensive case management support for young people and their families to help them re-engage in education. Navigator case worker Maureen Rodgers shared with us one of the program’s success stories.

When Maureen met Ryan*, he hadn’t attended school in six months. Ryan had mild autism and a complex home life – his parents were separated, and his father had alcohol abuse issues.

Ryan’s school had effectively given up on him and suggested he go to a special school. Maureen quickly discovered that this wasn’t what Ryan needed, however, and successfully advocated for his return to a mainstream school.

With Maureen’s support, Ryan’s mum became an incredible ally for her son. She encouraged him to go to school on the days he didn’t feel like he could, and on the occasions he didn’t make it, she collected his homework from school and helped him with it at home.

Together, Maureen and Ryan worked on goal setting, tips for managing anxiety, and engaged in some informal counselling. Maureen says it’s vital to be an unconditional positive support for vulnerable young people.

Over time, Ryan’s self-confidence grew, as did his trust in Maureen. Things started falling into place.

Ryan now goes to school full-time. Maureen says he’s a regular, positive kid.

“It sometimes takes 8-10 months of working with these kids to get concrete, positive results, but it’s so worth it!” Maureen said.

*Name has been changed to protect the identity of the person we helped.