Keeping kids in school could be key to youth justice
CQUniversity researchers are determined to address critical social inequity and learner engagement issues of marginalised youth across Queensland, developing an innovative education initiative.
The Social Educator project aims to enhance the support systems for disengaged school students to help prevent further marginalisation, and potential for delinquent behaviour.
Led by CQUniversity Centre for Research in Equity and Advancement of Teaching and Education (CREATE) researcher, Dr Corey Bloomfield, the project works by bridging knowledge and skill gaps in the way educators currently work with vulnerable youth.
The current Senior Education Lecturer has drawn on more than 15 years of experience as an educator in the Queensland state school system where he has seen the challenges of both educators and students.
“Despite the best efforts of both our mainstream and second-chance alternative schools, our teachers are stretched with delivering academic programs to young people, while increased social and emotional needs of students are left unmet,” Dr Bloomfield said.
“We need to equip our education workforce with the knowledge and skills to meet the complex and broad needs of young people.”
He explained that the project will involve training of staff as skilled social educators to work holistically with students, complementing and supporting the efforts of teachers.
“Previous studies have empahised the importance of a holistic education and social support systems that empower young people.
“Similar social educator roles in European contexts have been effective in sustaining and re-engaging vulnerable youth in school, evident in improved wellbeing and completion outcomes.”
The Social Educator initiative will draw on local expertise that leverages world-leading practice to develop, trial and evaluate a social educator skills package.
“This new project takes a tailored design approach, distilling the effective components from international models, with a distinct alignment to the policies, vision, and socio-cultural context of Australian education.
“The cost-effective training is designed to be delivered through a suite of micro-credentials tailored to the needs of staff who work with young people in Queensland schools.
“Staff skilled in social education can be a transformative force for marginalised youth to overcome barriers to education engagement and brighter futures.”
With the latest Educational Opportunity in Australia report identifying 60,000 young Australians (18 per cent) as not gaining a Year 12 qualification, Dr Bloomfield said keeping students in school will help to create a positive ripple effect across Queensland communities.
“The impact of youth disengaging with learning on communities is a complex issue, but a shift towards education for active citizenship and social inclusion can address marginalisation more humanely,” he said.
“Engaging marginalised youth should be everyone’s business!”
