Mr David Wheaton, CEO of the Central Grampians LLEN, reports that implementation of the Youth Options Guarantee is off to a sound start across the region.

“It’s early days, but I am especially pleased that our partners are on track to meet their Guarantee commitments.” Mr Wheaton said.

Marian College, Ararat Community College, Stawell Secondary College, Lake Bolac College and the University of Ballarat are all convening Transition Team meetings for the first time during first term. These teams will be accountable for identifying students at risk of early leaving and addressing their individual needs. To support this work, CGLLEN’s Local Community Partnership Program Manager, Belinda Healy, attends team meetings to add value to the process and assist schools to make linkages with outside agencies.

Mr Wheaton said the most pleasing aspect of the Guarantee’s implementation has been the commencement of a new referral protocol, On Track Anytime. With LenZone! Youth Resource Centres in Stawell and Ararat well established, the LLEN Board was convinced that LenZone! was the perfect hub for the Guarantee’s referral and tracking process.

LenZone! is now in it’s third year of delivering a Community VCAL program to young people who have found the traditional classroom environment unsuitable to their learning style. Since commencement in 2005, enrolments have more than doubled to 30 this year.

“From conception, LenZone! was intended to work with young people who have become disengaged from education and training.” Mr Wheaton said.

LenZone! began accepting referrals of early school leavers during December 2006. In addition to referrals from schools, several young people have heard about the Guarantee and self-referred.

Once a referral is received arrangements are made for the young person to meet face-to-face with one of the LenZone! youth workers, Geoff Wake and Francesca Suffield. Geoff and Francesca then spend time with each young person to discuss their circumstances, assess their individual needs and work with them to get their education back on track.