Re-engagement Programs (Years 7 to 10)

Policy

This policy sets out the requirements for schools in relation to re-engagement programs. It only applies to programs that are delivered offsite by third-party registered training organisation (RTO) providers, for secondary school students in Years 7 to 10.

Summary

• Re-engagement programs are designed to support Victorian government secondary students in Years 7 to 10, who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from their enrolling, mainstream school.
• Re-engagement programs are delivered by third-party RTO providers, offsite from the student’s enrolling school. They do not include guest speakers, excursions or incursions.
• Re-engagement program providers are registered by either the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) or the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), and programs are designed as short-term interventions that support students to transition back to full-time, mainstream education at their enrolling school.
• A student must remain enrolled in a secondary school to access a re-engagement program.
• When a student attends a re-engagement program, a Standard 7 to 10 contract (DOCX) (staff login required) must be in place between the enrolling school and the re-engagement program provider.
• Both schools and providers of re-engagement programs have shared duty of care responsibilities in relation to enrolled students.
• The Guidance tab contains detailed information regarding managing students in a re-engagement program, including the referral process, contractual arrangements and the responsibilities of schools, providers and Department of Education regional staff.

Note: While re-engagement programs and Flexible Learning Options (FLOs) both offer support for students who are at risk of disengaging from education, they are distinct and separate programs. For information about how these 2 programs compare, refer to the Guidance tab.

Details

Delivery and operation of re-engagement programs (Years 7 to 10)

Re-engagement programs offer tailored support for students in Years 7 to 10 who are disengaged, or who are at risk of disengaging, from their enrolling school. Re-engagement programs are tailored to best meet the age and stage of learning of an individual student (or group). All decisions to participate in a re-engagement program must be student-centred and in consultation with any existing allied health supports for that student.

Re-engagement programs in scope of this policy operate outside the enrolling school setting and are delivered offsite, by an RTO provider. Students must be enrolled in a secondary school to access a re-engagement program.

Further information about re-engagement programs and providers is available in the Guidance tab.

Duty of care and contractual arrangements

Schools have a duty of care for their enrolled students when they are attending a re-engagement program, regardless of the level of day-to-day oversight the school has over the re-engagement program. The providers of the re-engagement program also have a duty of care for the enrolled student.

Details of the roles and responsibilities of schools and providers, including duty of care arrangements and critical incident response requirements, must be documented and agreed upon using the responsibilities matrix in the Standard 7 to 10 contract template (DOCX) (staff login required). Schools can find contract templates and agreements under the Resources tab.

Detailed information on fees for re-engagement programs, contractual arrangements and roles and responsibilities can be found in the Guidance tab.

Key requirements for schools

Referrals

To make a referral for a student to a re-engagement program, schools must:

• obtain the consent of the student and their parent or carer
• consult with any existing allied health professional supports to ensure the intervention is in the best interest of the student
• document the arrangement using a Standard 7 to 10 contract detailing roles and responsibilities in the responsibilities matrix, including duty of care responsibilities and a plan for the student’s transition back to the enrolling school
• complete a Contract cover sheet (DOCX) (staff login required), to be signed by the school principal and endorsed by the relevant department regional director
• ensure that any placement of a student supported by the Program for Students with Disabilities or receiving Disability Inclusion Funding is approved by their student support group, and included as a strategy in their individual education plan – the decision about placement for a student with a disability must include consideration of any necessary adjustments to ensure their access, participation and achievement
• ensure each student has a current individual education plan to support their education and transition plan.

Enrolment

Enrolling government schools must:

• record students attending a re-engagement program on CASES21 using absence code 613 Re-engagement program
• if advised of a student absence from the re-engagement program on a day of scheduled attendance, record the absence on CASES21 using the appropriate code (according to the reason for the absence).

Schools and providers must maintain regular contact, including meeting at least once per school term (or more frequently as required) to discuss student learning and progress, to review the student’s individual education plan, discuss attendance and update the student’s transition plan back to their enrolling school.

The Guidance tab contains detailed information about how schools can meet these key requirements.

Related policies

• Behaviour – Students
• Community VCAL
• Disability Inclusion Funding and Support
• Duty of Care
• Flexible Learning Options
• Individual Education Plans
• Navigator Program
• Purchasing Secondary Courses and Vocational Training from External Providers
• Student Engagement
• Student Support Groups

Contact

Enquires related to re-engagement programs and re-engagement program contracts between schools and providers should be directed to the Managers – Youth Pathways and Transitions in each region.

North eastern Victoria

• Phone: 1300 333 231
• Email: pathways.transitions.nev@education.vic.gov.au

North western Victoria

• Phone: 1300 338 691
• Email: pathways.transitions.nwv@education.vic.gov.au

South eastern Victoria

• Phone: 1300 338 738
• Email: pathways.transitions.sev@education.vic.gov.au

South western Victoria

• Phone: 1300 333 232
• Email: pathways.transitions.swv@education.vic.gov.au