Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice, The Honourable Di Farmer, has announced two significant initiatives stemming from the \(288 million Youth Engagement Education Reform package. The first initiative involves the commencement of recruitment for the initial 40 out of 78 positions for the new \)57 million intensive education case management service. Additionally, recruitment has begun for four additional Court Liaison Officers in critical Children’s Court locations and 16 more Youth Transition Officers.
These initiatives are part of the Miles Government’s comprehensive Youth Engagement Education Reform package, which is backed by $288 million to ensure the continuous engagement of all young individuals in education. The primary objective is to provide support for education, intervention, and prevention programs targeting students at high risk of involvement with the youth justice system.
Recognizing that traditional schooling may not suit every individual, especially those facing various challenges, the focus is on creating structured and secure environments where students can access education. By doing so, the aim is to decrease the likelihood of engaging in anti-social or criminal activities.
Recruitment has commenced for the new $57 million Intensive Education Case Management Service, which will work with state school students who have faced extended periods of exclusion or suspension to reintegrate them into the learning process. The initial Intensive Education Case Managers are expected to be operational by June, working towards reducing the duration students spend out of school.
Concurrently, efforts are being expanded to support young individuals before they appear in the Children’s Court, with the recruitment of four Court Liaison Officers and an additional 16 Youth Transition Officers across the state. The Court Liaison Officers will provide support to courts in various regions, including Far North Queensland, Central Queensland, Wide Bay, and the Darling Downs.
Education Minister Di Farmer emphasized the importance of providing intensive educational and behavioral interventions for students with complex needs, aiming to keep them engaged in learning and facilitate a swift return to educational programs. The investment in 78 specialist intensive education case managers will ensure that every student excluded from a state school receives the necessary intensive support.
In response to these initiatives, Vice President of the Queensland Secondary Principals Association, Sharon Barker, expressed support for initiatives that help students stay engaged and successfully complete their schooling. Queensland Teachers Union President, Cresta Richardson, highlighted the diverse student population in Queensland and emphasized the right of every student to receive a supportive education.
The $288 million Youth Engagement Education Reform package is designed to promote continuous learning among children. A significant portion of the investment will go towards expanding the successful Queensland Pathways State Colleges model from six to 12 campuses, with new campuses planned in Toowoomba, Deception Bay, Mt Isa, Central Queensland, Logan, and Cairns.
Moreover, the package includes earmarked funds to establish 50 new FlexiSpaces in high-needs schools, in addition to the existing 52 schools already equipped with such spaces. These FlexiSpaces will have dedicated teachers to provide additional support to students requiring a break from traditional classroom settings due to mental health concerns or disruptive behavior.
Furthermore, specialized alternative learning programs operated by NGOs in priority locations such as Cairns, Townsville, Ipswich, and Mt Isa will receive a $27 million investment. A targeted curriculum aligned with the Australian Curriculum will be developed for use in all Queensland state school alternative learning programs, with availability extended to special assistance schools in the non-state sector.
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