Program Aim

The program aims to support students showing early signs of disengagement from school, so that they feel stronger connections to school and learning and are supported to build on personal and social capabilities.

Increased engagement is expected to lead to increased student level attendance rates and reduce days lost to suspension rate.

Program Description

The program provides funding through a program for external providers to support schools working with students who demonstrate early signs of, or actual, disengagement from school.

Each provider is required to work collaboratively with schools, students and parents/carers to develop individualised goals for students, evaluate the success of the goals through a rigorous evidence-based evaluation plan.

Target Cohort

Students participating in the program should meet the following criteria:

• Be in years 8, 9 or 10
• Have an attendance rate between 70-90%
• Have between 2 and 4 suspension

25 Principal Networks have been identified as high need based on the above criteria, see below resources for the full list.

Outcomes and Impact

This program will support the Department’s strategic priorities of:

• Strong foundation in literacy and numeracy, deep content knowledge, and confidence in ability to learn, adapt, be responsible citizens.
• Students finish school well prepared for higher education, training, and work.

Detailed outcomes indicators will be tracked according to the Theory of Change and Outcomes Framework.

School Staff are welcome to contact the Perfect Presence Team.