submissions for lasting change
The reality is that if a young person is not able to find employment they are unlikely to be able to lift themselves out of their disadvantage or fully participate in the life of the community. Those young people who do not complete school or go onto further training are at a greater risk of unemployment; earn less on average than those who have completed school or equivalent training; and experience a range of poorer social outcomes, such as poorer health. It is recognized that there is a cohort of students, who for a variety of reasons, are not able to be catered for in mainstream education. For these students, a range of programs in alternative settings have developed in an attempt to increase their engagement in the education system. However, Victoria is marked by a lack of a statewide policy and strategic framework for the operation of alternative settings and programs. As a result, there is not a well planned approach to the provision of alternative settings, nor do they form part of an on-going, well resourced and appropriately recognized service. Often, alternative settings have no core funding (unlike mainstream schools), and are reliant on program specific, short-term grants with no guarantee of continuity. This needs to be addressed to ensure those students at greatest risk of becoming disengaged are being adequately supported to increase their likelihood of staying connected to education. From time to time, the Victorian and Australian Governments call for submissions into areas that affect the education of young people. Whenever Doxa has the opportunity to take part in a governmental inquiry we do so with enthusiasm.