School Re-Engagement Support at Alia is a program designed to support school can’t (or school ‘refusal’) students and their families. Your child does not need to be an existing Alia student to access this support.
What is School Re-Engagement Support at Alia?
SRS is designed to support students and their families where there is chronic ‘school can’t’ / school refusal. The program enables young people to find their way forward, either at their existing school or by helping families find an alternative school which is a better fit.
Your child does not need to be an existing Alia student to access this support.
The program is designed to
- give a voice to your child, advocating for them when they are unable to do so
- identify your child’s barriers to their school attendance
- identify your child’s interests, motivations and their strengths as a learner
- work with you and your child, and their existing school (if relevant) to find a path forward which feels safe, manageable and sustainable.
- help your child recover from the damage and potential trauma caused by their previous school experiences.
For more information please call Harriet on 03 9822 9622 or email srs@alia.vic.edu.au
What the Program isn’t:
School Re-Engagement Support at Alia is not about ‘fixing’ students and sending them ‘back’ to their previous school.
It is not about forcing anyone to attend.
It is about listening to a student’s prior experiences and supporting them to find a sustainable path forward in their education.
We work directly with parents and the young person.
Who is the program for:
- students aged 12 upwards (Grade 6 and high school) struggling with ‘school can’t’ / school refusal / school anxiety or who have disengaged entirely from their school.
- students can be referred by their family, their current school, CYMHS, Navigator Program, psychologist, Family Services etc, or self-referral.
- SRS is very welcoming of every student, including all gender identities and neuro-diversities.
Practical Information
Where:
- Online: Harriet can meet with you / your child via Google Meet
- At a student’s home: if appropriate. This may be necessary when a young person is struggling to leave their room / the house.
- At Alia: if / when a student feels comfortable to be on campus, they can do short visits either outside the building or in a quiet space inside.
- At your child’s current school: if required, Harriet can set up round-table meetings at your child’s current school.
How does the process work?
Contact Harriet (srs@alia.vic.edu.au or 03 9822 9622) to set up a free introductory phone call.
From there we work out what type of support is required, a likely time-line, and create a plan to suit you and your child.
The School Re-Engagement Support team:
Harriet Hutton – School Re-engagement Consultant
I’ve been a teacher and advocate of student engagement for over twenty years. I have taught in a wide range of settings, including an alternate-setting school supporting neurodivergent learners and school ‘refusers’, as well as in teaching units with at-risk and trauma-affected students. I’ve been at Alia College since 2008!
I love fostering relationships with young people to empower them to engage with and advocate for their own schooling, whatever that may look like. I believe schooling should always be flexible and manageable in the long-term.
I’m mother to a neurodivergent teenager who had significant school can’t from Grade 3 onwards, so I have lived experience of the challenges of this from both the student and the family perspectives.
I have a deep interest in educational reform, progressive and inclusive education, and equality for neurodiverse students within our schools. My background and training is in trauma-informed teaching, yoga, and adolescent counselling.
Outside of Alia I love gardening, walking my greyhound Goose (see below!), reading, and drinking tea.”
Goose
Goose is Harriet’s rescue greyhound. He is gentle, loving, and a very calming presence. Like most greyhounds, he does a lot of sleeping. Goose can be part of School Re-Engagement Support whenever a student feels like a four-legged companion would be beneficial.