Page 5005 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 26 October 2011
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MR BARR: I thank Ms Hunter for the question. There are within the ACT Education and Training Directorate guidelines in relation to public schools. I will presume that it was a student enrolled in a public school. There is a requirement for a re-engagement plan for any student who is suspended. In the absence of any detail in relation to the individual case, it is difficult for me to comment.
I am certainly happy to follow up with the directorate this individual circumstance. I think it is best not to do it in the public forum that is question time. But there is a policy and procedure in relation to a re-engagement plan. Depending on the nature of the suspension, the various support services will be engaged to assist the student, the family and the leadership within the school to ensure that there is a smooth transition back into education and training.
As I say, if Ms Hunter would like to provide the details to my office, I am happy for the individual matter to be investigated outside of the question time forum.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter, a supplementary.
MS HUNTER: Minister, how does the government propose to achieve the first listed aim of the ACT youth commitment to ensure that no child or young person is lost from education, training or employment like this young person who was expelled?
MR BARR: There are alternative settings available for students who may not be fully engaged in a mainstream schooling environment. The opportunity for education, training or employment is part of the youth commitment, and that is around ensuring that no-one is slipping through the cracks.
I will obviously need to look at the detail of this individual case to ascertain what may or may not have happened. With the evidence in front of me—the very limited information of a question in question time—it is difficult to comment on the specifics of the case. But the policy framework is there. It is obviously incumbent upon individuals within the system to work within that policy framework.
MS BRESNAN: Supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Minister, what is the government doing to ensure that when young people with a disability move from school to further education, training or work they will continue to be accounted for, cared for and supported as set out in the youth commitment?
MR BARR: Close engagement between the various stakeholders is critical in this area. Ensuring across ACT government directorates but also importantly within the community sector and those organisations who may be working in partnership with the government to deliver services and further education, training or employment opportunities for young people with a disability is critical to achieving this outcome.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary.
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