Educators, youth workers and allies came together at a forum held in Mordialloc on 21 August to learn about issues affecting vulnerable young people and strategies to help them.
The At Risk Forum 2019 was hosted by the Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Local Learning and Employment Network (BGKLLEN), which helps young people stay engaged or re-engage with schooling.
Opened by Tim Richardson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Schools and Member for Mordialloc, the forum covered topics such as belonging, careers, re-engagement of students through learning, and supporting young people with additional needs through transitions.
BGKLLEN Business and Operations Manager Kathy Woods said the forum was a huge success and attracted close to 200 participants—a tenfold increase in participants from when the annual forum was first held eight years ago.
"Participants said they heard some great ideas they had not heard of and learnt where to get additional support information," Kathy said.
"Attendees also took on board the importance of providing calm environments, empowering young people to build language around their needs, and adapting to the needs of students."
Sophie Weldon, Managing Director of Humankind Enterprises, gave a well-received keynote presentation on how to build a sense of belonging in young people, particularly focusing on how stories and social connection can lead to belonging.
"Participants were inspired to hear Sophie talking about storytelling and story-listening and that people long to belong," Kathy said.
In another keynote presentation, Bernadette Gigliotti, CEO of the Australian Centre for Career Education, spoke about how to support young people in their career decisions—a timely topic given that from this year funding is available for career education for all students in years 7 to 12 in Victorian government schools.
In another presentation, Emma McCarthy, from WeSupportU, spoke about a BGKLLEN-funded project that is looking into how to ensure young people with additional needs transition through education settings successfully.
The 'Engagement Co Design Framework' project has found that effective collaboration between transition settings results in the sharing of relevant information and reduces the risks of disengagement at transition.
BGKLLEN, which plans to host another At Risk Forum next year, was recently named as a finalist in the 2019 Bayside Business Excellence Awards. Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Event at the Sandringham Yacht Club on 3 October.
IMAGE: Attendees at the At Risk Forum held in Mordialloc recently
Additional images available
