SE Qld Flexible Learning Programs Network

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SE Qld Flexible Learning Programs Network

• Supporting young people by building relationships
  with people who have an interest in developing
  diverse learning opportunities in Flexible
  Learning Programs

Cheryl White FLPN Co-ordinator 2005
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Stages of creating the FLPN

• 1. Relationships
• Building relationships between FLP staff, young
  people, community, mainstream systems and
  departments
• 2. Communication
• Establishing ways of disseminating information
  regarding issues that relate to young people and
  FLP staff working in our communities
• 3. Professional Learning
• Supporting the staff working in FLPs to develop
  skills and knowledge of current issues facing
  young people and agendas in education and training

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What is the FLPN?

• A forum to share information, address common
  issues, explore best practice, develop resources,
  encourage innovation and facilitate communication
  between the community sector, government and
  mainstream systems
• Meets regularly at a variety of locations in SE
  Qld
• Disseminates information via email, newsletter,
  online groups, brochure, annual directory

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ORGANISATIONS and PROGRAMSthat have shown an
interest in the FLPN in 2005
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What does the FLPN do?

• Supports the professional learning of staff
  working with young people, who have disengaged
  from mainstream systems, in community based
  programs.
• Shares a holistic framework for working with
  young people who have a variety of personal
  support needs and require flexible options to
  participate in education and training.
• Provides an environment for diverse programs to
  work collaboratively on current issues relating
  to young people.

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Who are the YP in FLPs?

• Australian Bureau of Statistics Gen Y will have
  29 jobs in 5 different industries during their
  working life
• Dusseldorp Skills Forum May 2005, 560 000 young
  people 15-24 not in full time study or work
• Barrett many young people at risk of not
  gaining an adequate education and are doomed to
  be underemployed, unemployed or unemployable
• DETYA difficulties arise for YP when schools
  place expectations that are based on middle
  class, mainstream values
• Dwyer for some YP early school leaving is
  positive

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Exploring Education Training Options

• Variety of operation models independent school,
  annexe to school, connected to youth program
• Life skills and personal support housing,
  pregnancy
• Different types of curriculum BSDE, TAFE, KLAs
• Industry links and partnerships work experience
• Research UQ Mindfields program, mentoring,
  e-learning

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The FLPN journey so far

• 2003/4 Relationships
• Visits to sites across region, guest speakers,
  email distribution list, FLPN directory
• 2005 Communication
• Brochure, newsletter, yahoo group, focus groups,
  eboard
• 2006 Professional Learning
• Regional clusters, workshops/training, explore
  interdisciplinary practice,
• handbook of good practice for FLPs