: Today STARTTS will present a live online webinar from 4:00-5:00pm AEST to mark the official launch of the STARTTS in Schools (SIS) Evaluation Report. This report highlights the achievements of the STARTTS in Schools Strategy. It reveals how successful partnership with NSW Government has enhanced learning and wellbeing outcomes for young people with a refugee experience.
Moderated by Dr. Greg Gow of The Victorian Survivors of Torture Foundation Inc., the launch will include an interactive Q&A with STARTTS CEO, Jorge Aroche and members of the evaluation team.
The launch is endorsed by The Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning and Prof. Peter Shergold AC, NSW Coordinator-General for Refugee Settlement.
Working with schools at the systemic level has become a crucial aspect of STARTTS' work.
The STARTTS in Schools strategy is delivered through internal collaboration between the School Liaison Program, Child and Adolescent Counsellors and the Youth Team, together with an external partnership with the NSW Department of Education and Catholic Education Office. This integrated model has increased STARTTS' capacity to provide targeted and specialised support to schools and refugee learners across New South Wales regardless of their visa class or date of arrival.
"We know that the current crisis in Afghanistan has had a substantial impact on Afghan families in Australia and since August there's been a steep increase in people seeking help through the organisation. The work that is being done by STARTTS to provide counselling and therapy to those who need it is just so important and it means that students can get the support they need to continue their schooling," said The Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning.
"Having worked alongside schools since our inception 30 years ago, we recognise the expertise of teachers, the leadership of principals, and the commitment of schools, in providing for the education and wellbeing needs of all students. Our STARTTS In Schools Program, offers what I consider to be the state of the art in provision of services to support refugee young people who have been affected by the impact of trauma and other stresses associated with the refugee experience and resettlement," said Jorge Aroche, CEO STARTTS.
"I am proud to present this report, which I believe not only describes the value of STARTTS and the Department of Education jointly offering complementary services to young people in the school environment, but also goes a considerable way into developing an evidence base for the efficacy and appropriateness of this approach to service provision."
"I look forward to NSW STARTTS continuing this important work. I remain persuaded that ongoing engagement and collaboration in schools will continue to deliver positive outcomes for young people from refugee backgrounds, and, by doing that it will enhance their capacity to contribute to our nation," said Prof. Peter Shergold AC, NSW Coordinator-General for Refugee Settlement.
The recommendations based on the findings of this report include that STARTTS in Schools should continue to provide support to children and young people of refugee background, as well as continue to enhance the capacity of those working in schools to provide appropriate support to learners with refugee experience.
STARTTS offers services in over 170 schools, including specialised training to some 3,000 educators and welfare staff across NSW.
