berry street victoria annual report 2006 page 7
we
never stop
supporting
280 volunteer foster carers provided care for 418 children
623 young people were supported through our outreach, case management,
accommodation and sexual offenders programs
441 young people were involved in our education programs
We cared for 123 young people in residential care
For many of the children and young people who come to BSV,
“we are the end of the line”. Our job is to “hang in there”, to do
whatever is needed to ensure that the child or young person is
as safe as possible, that they learn to trust and can then start to
rebuild their lives.
A Right to Education
In our increasingly complex world, it is critical for young people
to be equipped to manage their own lives and to have the skills
and confidence to be able to work. The reality for too many of
our children and young people is very different.
It is very difficult to learn when you come to school without
breakfast…. when you don’t know what state your mum will be
in when you get home…. and when you move around a lot
because you don’t have stable housing.
While they may have been able to just “get through” in primary
school, too many of our young people do not make the transition
to secondary school, are excluded or drop out.
Although we had always done some educational work with
young people in residential care, we took a quantum leap forward
in 2003, when we established our own registered school, the
BEST (Berry Street Victoria Education, School & Training) Centre.
Housed in a factory in Noble Park, this is not an ordinary school.
Each of the 25 young people enrolled has their own education
plan and all the activities are designed to meet their specific
needs. A day might begin with a bike ride, followed by some
literacy work on the computer, a session working in the
automotive area and then working on the School band’s new
CD. The students also cook and eat lunch together, a great way
to learn new social skills.
Our aim at the BEST Centre is to help each student achieve a
Year 10 pass. While this is not possible for all, two thirds of the
young people have made significant gains in attendance, working
with peers, self-esteem, taking direction and concentration.
The establishment of the BEST Centre would not have been
possible without the wonderful support of the Felton Bequest.
children &
young people
BEST@The Shed in Morwell became our second registered
campus. The Shed is a hive of activity for the 30-40 young
people who attend each week.
Through our partnership with local secondary schools, some
of the students come to us for part of the week for specialised
work. A number of “young mums” continue their education
through the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. Groups
focussing on self-esteem and anger management are run in
local schools and a special program for young Aboriginal boys
(Future Dreaming) was developed with advice from the local
Aboriginal community.
Going beyond the “classroom”, our Wilderness Program in
Gippsland challenges young people to re-think what they
want out of life. After a demanding 7 day wilderness trip,
we provide “reconnect” days and support for 2 years.
The program has been very successful with more than
80% of the young people having remained in school or
found employment.
Sam’s Story
Sam was 13 when he was referred to our Northern My Life
program. Like a similar program in the Southern region, this
outreach program works with young people with an intellectual
disability who are at high risk.
Sam was initially referred because he was completely isolated,
with no friends or day activities. His mother was depressed and
also had an intellectual disability. She couldn’t help Sam care for
himself properly.
The first priority was to teach Sam how to look after his personal
hygiene – to shower, wash his clothes and make his bed. His
worker, Georgina, also taught him how to shop and connected
him to State Trustees to manage his money and outstanding
debts. He also joined a model steam train club.
Sam was also linked to a volunteer mentor so that he would
have support when we stopped working with him.
Today Sam is unrecognisable from the “outcast” of 5 years ago.