Educational needs of 13-year-old ward of the State receives special attention

5/3/99
Family and Children's Services Minister, Rhonda Parker, has intervened in the case of a 13-year-old ward of the state to ensure that he receives the educational services he requires.
"I have spoken with the boy's foster parents and to the department to ensure the boy receives the help he needs," Mrs Parker said.
"I am pleased with the progress the child has made during his 13 weeks in the program through the dedication of the foster parents and the special support service provided by Family and Children's Services.
"The boy's anti-social behaviour was so extreme that departmental staff determined he needed one-to-one care. As a result the boy attended the McCall Education Support Program (MESP), with a mentor.
"Generally, such intensive care is a transitional emergency measure during which the child is stabilised, before being able to return to a more normal form of education or training."
While the Department intends to provide the service until the end of the current term, the boy's needs will again be reassessed at that time in cooperation with the foster parents.
The Minister said the program the boy is attending also currently caters for three other full-time and one part-time student. The MESP will continue until a new Government initiative to enhance services to young people at risk, the Adolescent and Child Support Service, is ready to start.
"This service, which will be based around the $1.8 million Adolescent Assessment Centre at Stoneville complemented by dedicated services at three other hostels, will allow for a far more comprehensive approach to the needs of young people at risk, with severe behavioural problems.
"This state-of-the-art facility allows up to eight children at any one time to live on site for up to three months, while an intensive assessment of the child's individual needs is undertaken.
"This will include an educational assessment and development of an educational plan for each young person.
"An educational support worker will be at the Centre to ensure that this plan is implemented.
"The options include re-entry into the normal school system, Education Department support centres, training or work.
"The Stoneville Centre is a breakthrough concept that will assess up to 100 young people a year with severe social, emotional or behavioural problems," Mrs Parker said.
"This facility will allow the Government to better respond to the specific needs of wards of State or young people at risk."
Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810