In late March, Sophia Mundi hosted the inaugural Yarra/Darebin Wellbeing Network Meeting initiated to focus youth engagement and capacity building for professionals working with youth who live, work, or play in our municipalities. This networking is facilitated by School Focused Youth Service, Berry Street, and myself (representing Sophia Mundi Steiner School).
Representatives at this symposium included:
- Wellbeing staff, Leadership and Management from schools across the Yarra/Darebin Municipalities.
- Your Community Health
- Rights, Resilience & Respectful Relationships Initiative
- The Austin Hospital – Child & Adolescent Mental Health Unit
- Yarra Council
- Darabin Council
Our teams comes together to form a Network which can facilitate referral and support for students seeking engagement.
I have worked towards consolidating a proposal for Mental Health First Aid Professional Development from within this Network for our staff in the near future. Other opportunities for further support, development and engagement come with the Rights, Resilience & Respectful Relationships as we stand as a Lead School in our region. I was able to share our experience of this work within our community. Sophia Mundi’s work with Restorative Practice was also presented.
I heard Council present opportunities to extend support to our community in areas ranging from assessment, welfare, family support and liaison, engagement programs, and referral for students that live, work and play in our municipalities.
It was noted that our municipalities have been identified nationally as innovators in care, in need of support to develop networks and pathways of engagement for students with complex needs.
I have invited the Network to hear from a representative from headspace at our next meeting, which will be hosted at Croxton Special School. I have also offered to extend our network to invite a representative form the National Disabilities Insurance Association, to provide a briefing for schools working with students who are seeking funding for supports through the National Disabilities Insurance Scheme, which is working towards incorporating Social and Emotional Needs. We will also be hearing from a representative from the Rights, Resilience & Respectful Relationships initiative.
This symposium formed a network committed to extending support within the broader community, of which Sophia Mundi is an exceptional member.
Our Network aims to provide case management, assessment, support and engagement by pooling support and resources from the following organisations:
- Yarra Council
- Darebin Council
- The Austin Hospital – Child & Adolescent Mental Heath
- Communities that Care
- Orange Door (formally Child First)
- Anglicare Adolescent Support
- Uniting Kildonean Integrated Family Services
- SMART Generation Drug & Alcohol Education
- Berry Street
- Tuning Into Kids
- Department of Education Victoria
- Department of Human Services Victoria
If you are interested in this initiative, would like further information and/or have suggestions for any of the above please reply by email: raquel.mcconnell@sophiamundi.vic.edu.au.
Raquel McConnell – Sophia Mundi Steiner School
Student Counsellor/ Enrichment, Engagement & Education
