Yarra Me School 2019

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    • Attachment and Trauma Theory Training
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    • Courses for Parents
  • Our School
    • School History
    • Evidence Bank >
      • Understanding & Changing Challenging Behaviour
      • The Power of Play
      • Oral Language Competence & Literacy
    • Working at YarraMe
    • Contact Us >
      • Compass (secure log in)
  • Outreach
    • Inclusion Support Service
    • Inclusive Resources
    • Secondary Consultation
  • Intake
    • Hurstbridge Farm
    • Years 1 - 3 Program
    • Years 4 - 6 Program
  • Professional Learning
    • Attachment and Trauma Theory Training
    • Supporting Wellbeing & Mental Health
    • ASD Understanding Executive Functioning
    • Social and Emotional Learning Toolkit
    • Professional Learning FAQs
  • Community
    • Communities Connect
    • Child Safety Standards
    • School Council (secure log in)
  • Parent Resources
    • Help Desk
    • Courses for Parents

Inclusive Resources

We recommend these resources for creating and maintaining safe, supportive and inclusive
​learning environments for all students.

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Trauma
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Attachment Difficulties
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Out of
​Home Care
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Support
​Groups

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Developing  Support Plans
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Challenging Behaviours

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Attendance
​and
​Engagement
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Aboriginal &
Torres Strait
​Islander Students
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Safety
and
​Wellbeing
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Speech,
​Language & Communication
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Disability
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Education Needs Assessment

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​Refugees
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English as an
Additional
​Language
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​LGBTI
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Bullying,
Racism &
​Gender Inequality
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Self-care
for
​Educators
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Recommended Books
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​Working with students who have experienced trauma

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Trauma Sensitive Practice (North West Victoria Region)

​Resources to help build a theoretical understanding of trauma sensitive practice, develop a shared understanding and literacy, and assist workforces to support vulnerable learners and families. There are also resources available to support teacher self-care and wellbeing. DET credentials are required to login and access the materials.
Source: Department of Education
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Managing Trauma – A Guide to Managing Trauma Following an Incident
A resource from the Victorian Department of Education and Training which supports principals, Student Support Services (SSS) and other recovery team members to take action to manage trauma for students , staff and school community members following an incident.
Source:
Department of Education

Trauma Sensitive Behaviour Management
A resource from Emerging Minds with 10 tips for creating a trauma sensitive classroom.
Source: Emerging Minds
 
The Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN)
An online course created by the NCTSN, which helps people develop a trauma lens through which they can view, and better comprehend the effects of traumatic experiences and losses.
​Source:Australian National University

​Indigenous ​Trauma Information and Resources 
​A collection of helpful, and evidence based resources that focus on
​enhancing strengths, to help Indigenous children and their families get through tough times. ​
Source: Trauma and Grief Network​

A Trauma Sensitive Approach for Children Aged 0-8 Years
Description: This literature review focuses on the impact of trauma and concepts from neurobiology. It is written for early childhood educators who encounter infants and children, from newborns to 8 year-olds, who have suffered the effects of significant trauma in their young lives.
Source: Women’s Health Goulburn North East

Refugees and Asylum Seekers: Supporting Recovery From Trauma
Information to help support refugees and asylum seekers with trauma recovery and the challenges of settling into a new community.
Source: Trauma and Grief Network

TRUST in Schools
Resources to increase your understanding of how your school can promote trauma sensitive practices.
Source:
Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network

Good Teaching – Trauma Informed Practice
Description: This resource focuses on how educators can better relate to, and support the wellbeing and learning of children who have been impacted by trauma. It provides guidance on how to better understand why traumatised children and young people act and react in the ways they do.
Source: Department of Education Tasmania 

National Child Traumatic Stress Network Learning Centre
An online course created by the NCTSN, which helps people develop a trauma lens through which they can view, and better comprehend the effects of traumatic experiences and losses.
Source: NCTSN
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Calmer Classrooms
​
Help for kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers, and other school personnel to understand and work with children and young people affected by trauma.
Source: Child Safety Commissioner (Vic State Gov)

What Survival Looks Like in School
Free download for teacher or trusted adult at school to help them understand what survival states look like in the school environment and what they can do to help ground them and subsequently improve their learning.
Source: Inner World Work
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Heart Felt
A collection of children’s experiences and stories of abuse, recovery and hope
Source:
Australian Childhood Foundation

Helping Traumatised Children Learn
A report and policy agenda for creating supportive school environments for children traumatised by family violence.
Source: Massachusetts Advocates for Children

Making Space for Learning
A guide to understanding trauma in children and young people and responding to it within a school context.  It offers opportunities to build practical strategies to support them.  
Source: Australian Childhood Foundation

Caring Classrooms
​A guide to understanding traumatised children and young people for parents and the school community.
Source: Child Safety Commissioner (Vic State Gov)
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SMART online training​
​A free online learning course
that focuses on supporting children and young people in a range of educational and other settings. 
Source: Australian Childhood Foundation
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The Body's Most Fascinating Organ: the Brain, by Dr. Bruce Perry
​Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. is an internationally recognised authority on children in crisis and the Senior Fellow of Houston’s Child Trauma Academy. Resources include: professional articles on trauma, attachment, the brain and learning, core strengths, the developing child and children in distress.
Source: Chicago Ideas
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Understanding children with attachment difficulties

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Understanding Attachment and Trauma Blended Learning
An online learning course which focuses on the understanding, assessment and classroom support of students with disrupted attachment and trauma experiences.
​Source: YarraMe
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​Children’s Attachment Theory and how to use it
This short video explains attachment theory and how it can be utilised to better understand and work with children with insecure attachment styles.
​Source: Shalamar Children on YouTube
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​Supporting students ​living in out of home care

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LOOKOUT Education Support Centres
LOOKOUT Centres are designed to boost the capacity of schools, Child Protection Practitioners and out-of-home care services to improve educational outcomes for children and young people living in out-of-home care.
Source: Department of Education and Training

Student Support Group Guidelines
Valuable guidelines and template resources, outlining the membership, key objectives and roles of a Student Support Group.
Source: Department of Education and Training​

IEP Guidelines
Schools must develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for every student in Out-of-Home Care. This plan should be developed by the Student Support Group. These DET guidelines include IEP templates and information ​regarding their requirements.
Source: Department of Education and Training
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Partnering Agreement
Covers the current legislation, policy and programs available to children and young people in out-of-home care to support their education, health and wellbeing.
​All schools, child protection practitioners and case workers are required to meet their obligations under this Partnering Agreement.

​Source: Department of Education and Training

DET Learning Mentor Guidelines
Guidelines on the role of the learning mentor and links to training
​and support materials.

Source: Department of Education and Training

Out of Home Care Resources
A collection of DET endorsed resources to assist in giving children and young people in out-of-home care, a better chance of doing well in their education.
Source: Department of Education and Training

Great Expectations
While ‘Calmer Classrooms’ examines the general impact of trauma and attachment disruption experiences on children, this resource addresses the educational needs of children and young people who live in out-of-home care.
Source: Child Safety Commissioner (Vic State Gov)

Out-of-Home... Not out of School
Designed to promote an understanding of the world of students in out-of-home care, this video and professional learning guide are available on Click on Wellbeing and include Learning Mentor training modules designed to build the capacity of school-based staff.
​Source: Click on Wellbeing
Access instructions: Follow the link and sign up for a free Click on Wellbeing account.
Log in and click on the 'supporting students in out of home care' button.


​ENA Guidance
Guidance for requesting and conducting an educational needs assessment for a child or young person in
out-of-home care, enrolled at a
Victorian government school.

Source: Department of ​Education and Training
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Learning Mentor Training
An introduction to the Partnering Agreement, the role of the Learning Mentor and an introduction to working within a trauma and attachment theory informed framework.                                             
Source: Department of Education and Training
Access instructions: Follow the link, log in to FUSE then search ‘Learning Mentor Training’ (Clips 1 – 12).
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​Establishing support groups

Establishing student support groups
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Student Support Group (SSG) Guidelines
​A valuable resource outlining the membership, key objectives and roles of an SSG.
Source: Department of Education and Training

The Team Around the Learner (TAL)
​A framework for an individualised, holistic and team-based approach to support learners at risk of disengaging or who have disengaged from education and learning. Key people work together as a team, coordinate a plan to meet the needs of the learner and to support them to continue to engage in or re-engage in education and learning.
Source: Complex Needs(UK Department of Education)
Source: DET Victoria

​Supports and community-based services for students and their families
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Child FIRST
A referral to Child FIRST is the best way of connecting children, young people and their families to the services they need. School staff should make a referral to Child FIRST where school staff have concerns about a child’s wellbeing but do not believe the child needs protection.
​Source: Department of Health and Human Services

​Royal Children's Hospital Psychology Service
The Service offers specific clinical psychology and neuropsychology services to referrers in the hospital and broader community.  
​Source: The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne

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Raising Children Network
​A national website aimed at helping families care for their children, providing expert information and articles on a range of issues relevant to children’s development.
​Source: Raising Children Network

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Better Health Channel
​The Better Health Channel provides health and medical information online.  It is a Victorian  government initiative that provides reliable and easy to understand information.
​Source: Better Health Channel

​Family Mental Health Support Service
Early intervention support to assist vulnerable families with children and young people who are at risk of, or affected by, mental illness.  These services support parents to reduce stress and enable young people to reach their potential.
​Source: Department of Social Services

Kids First
Kids First (formerly Children’s Protection Society) provides a range of services to children, young people and families. They deal with complex issues like sexual abuse and neglect , family violence, homelessness, poverty, mental health, drug and alcohol issues and the trauma that these have on the lives of children and families.
​Source: Kids First

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Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
CAMHS delivers mental health services that recognise and protect the needs, wellbeing, and safety of children and young people. Their Schools Early Action Program is designed to assist schools and families to support primary school-aged children with their social, emotional and behavioural development. It aims to enhance skills in understanding and expressing feelings, as well as getting along with others. The Austin CASEA program is delivered in the primary school setting for 8 students and parents.
Source: Austin Health

​The Bouverie Centre
​
​The Bouverie Centre work with families affected by alcohol and other drugs, gambling, mental health and trauma to help them strengthen relationships and resolve problems standing in the way of their wellbeing. 
Source: The Bouverie Centre (Victoria's Family Institute)

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Australian Clinical Psychology Association
​​Use the ACPA ‘Find a Clinical Psychologist’ website to locate a qualified psychologist in the required area or seek a referral from a paediatrician or GP.
Source: ACPA

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Australian Psychological Society
​
Use the APS ‘Find a Psychologist’ website to locate a qualified psychologist in the required area or seek a referral from a paediatrician or GP.
​Source: APS

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Headspace
Information and services for 12-25 year olds, their families and friends as well as health professionals can be accessed through the website, Headspace centres and the online counselling service -  e-headspace.
Source: Headspace

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Kids Helpline
Phone, internet and web-based counselling, information and support for young people.
Source: Kids Helpline

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Youth Beyond Blue
Information, advice and support for young people suffering anxiety, depression and related issues.
​Source: Beyond Blue

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Victoria Legal Aid
​
​Information, advice and support with legal matters.
Source: Victorian legal aid

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Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy helps people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find the services they need, right now and nearby.  It’s Australia wide, free and anonymous and can help with finding housing, meals, health services, counselling, legal help, addiction help and more.
​Source: Ask Izzy

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State Schools Relief Fund
If you have a family who is struggling to meet the costs of school uniforms, shoes, books and stationery for their children, you may be able to receive these for free or at a discount through State Schools’ Relief. Applications must be made by the school.​
Source: SSR
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​Developing support plans


Developing an Individual Education Plan
​

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IEP Guidelines
Schools must develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for every student in Out-of-Home Care. This plan should be developed by the Student Support Group. These DET guidelines include IEP templates and information regarding their requirements.
Source: Department of Education and Training
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Inclusive Classrooms Individual Education Planning  Professional Learning
The IEP webinar enables you to consolidate your knowledge about the key elements of effective individual education planning.
​Source: Department of Education and Training​

Developing a Behaviour Support Plan
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DET Behaviour Support Plan Guidelines
DET information, guidelines and resources for developing Behaviour Support Plans. 
Source: Department of Education and Training

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SWPBS Functional Behaviour Analysis and Behaviour Support Plan training
SWPBS Tier III intervention videos on Functional Behaviour Analysis and Behaviour Support Plans.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Challenging Behaviour Toolbox
​A set of resources to provide schools with information to create and maintain safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments, a process to implement a staged approach to managing challenging student behaviour, and a compilation of already existing resources located in one place for ease of use.
Source: The Department of Education and Training

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PBIS World
PBIS World is a website containing links to hundreds of interventions, supports, resources, and data collection tools, all of which are organised into the tier 1 through 3 framework. It is designed to help guide users through the Positive Behaviour Intervention and Supports implementation process, starting with behaviour identification and offering suggestions for interventions and data collection tools.
Source: PBIS World Website
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Stages of Behaviour Escalation
​Table from Colvin and Sugai (1989) outlining the stages of the behaviour escalation cycle, the area of focus and intervention tips for each stage.
Source: Colvin and Sugai (1989)
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​Managing challenging behaviours in students


Managing challenging behaviour​
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DET Responding to Challenging Behaviour Guidelines
​Guidelines and resources for responding to challenging behaviour.
Source: Department of Education and Training
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DET Restraint and Seclusion Guidelines
Guidelines and resources regarding the reduction and elimination of restraint and seclusion.
Source: ​Department of Education and Training

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DET Staged Response Checklist for Student Behaviour Issues
Schools should use the Staged Response Checklist as a guide to help them consider, implement and document their responses to incidents of challenging behaviour.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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DET Responding to Incidents Guidance
​Advice and support to manage and respond to serious incidents affecting students.
Source: Department of ​Education and training
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Guidelines and Resources for responding to challenging behaviour
Behaviour Support Professional Learning for Educators and Early Childhood Professionals’
The Victorian Department of Education and Training offers a range of online courses for educators. Register and enrol for free, and complete these courses independently at your own pace. 
Source: Department of Education and Training

​Responding to sexual behaviours of concern
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Student Sexual Offending and Problem Sexual Behaviour Policy and Guidance
DET Student Sexual Offending and Problem Sexual Behaviour Policy and Guidance’ 
Information for schools about responding to allegations of student sexual assault or inappropriate sexualised behaviour in children under 10, or misuse of internet or mobile phones in relation to chil​d pornography and youth produced sexual imagery or “sexting.”
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Kids First Therapeutic Services
A specialist therapeutic program for children, young people and their families/carers. Kids First Therapeutic Services works with children and young people under 18 years of age who have been sexually abused, children under the age of 10 who have displayed problematic sexualised behaviours and young people between 10 and 17 who have engaged in sexually abusive behaviours.
​Source: Kids first Australia

Gatehouse Centre
A department of the Royal Children’s Hospital, this Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) provides assessment, treatment and advocacy services for children, young people (aged between 0-17) and their families, living in the North Western metropolitan area of Melbourne or the cities of Moreland and Hume, where sexual abuse is suspected or sexually behaviours problems are a concern.
Source: The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne ​
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Sexual Behaviours in Children and Adolescents
A guide for adults to identify, assess and respond to sexual behaviours which cause concern.
Source: Family Planning Queensland
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​Supporting student attendance and engagement

Supporting student attendance
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Attendance resources (eduGate)
DET templates, plans and guidelines for supporting attendance. DET credentials are required to log in to eduGate.
Source: Department of ​Education and Training

DET Attendance Resources
Provides information about factors affecting attendance and ideas to assist if a child is reluctant to go to school.
Source: Department of ​Education and Training

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Identifying students at Risk
​DET guidelines on identifying students at risk of disengagement.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Improving Attendance Guide
A guide to assist schools to gain an understanding of the issues that can manifest in non-attendance. It will assist in identifying and planning interventions, strategies and support for individuals and also offer ideas for school-wide approaches to addressing promoting attendance.  
Source: ​Click on Wellbeing
Access instructions: Sign up for free to Click on Wellbeing. Log in and click on the improving attendance button.
Supporting student engagement
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Whole School Engagement Strategies and Supports
​DET information on whole school engagement strategies and supports.
Source: Department of ​Education and Training

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Navigator Program
The Navigator program supports disengaged young people to return to education and learning.
Source: Department of ​Education and Training

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Student Engagement ​Guide
A guide to assist schools in building relationships for effective learning and teaching.
Source:Click on Wellbeing
Access instructions: Sign up for a free Click on Wellbeing account. Log in and click on the 'student engagement' button.

​School Focused Youth Service
​A service to help schools and community organisations support at risk young people (aged 10-18) who require prevention or early intervention strategies to assist their learning, development, health and wellbeing.
Source: Department of ​Education and Training

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Supporting Young People to Stay Engaged with Education
This guide has been developed to support schools, local government and community service organisations to work together to respond to the needs of at-risk young people.
Source: Click on Wellbeing
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​Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

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Koorie Heritage Trust Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency program
The Koorie Heritage Trust provide Aboriginal Cultural Competency/Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training programs and can tailor a program that suits requirements.  The Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency program also includes a Strategic Partnerships Program designed specifically for School Leadership to develop their cultural competency in order to implement the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2013-2018 and the DET Garrin Garrin Policy into schools. 
​Source: Koorie Heritage Trust
DET ​Koorie Education Coordinator
KECs can assist Koorie students and schools with guidance and assistance on a range of programs and initiatives. You can contact your regional KEC through your DET Regional Office for further information and advice. The KEC is able to arrange for a Regional Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO) to be assigned to any school where contact with Koorie families may be required.
​Source: Department of Education and Training
​Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc Resources for Schools and Families
VAEAI resource list for schools and families including the Koorie Education calendar.
Source: Victorian Aboriginal Education Association
Tuckerbag Classroom Resources ​Database
A resource that can be used by educators in Early Childhood, schools, and higher education to integrate Indigenous perspectives in the classroom.
​Source: Victorian Aboriginal Education Association
AITSL Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ​Education Resources
Valuable Initial Teacher Education resources for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, both in policy and practice.
Source: AITSL
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Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan ​2016-2026
This plan demonstrates the Victorian Government’s strong commitment to improving performance and success of Koorie learners and closing the gap in Koorie education outcomes where these exist. Marrung will leverage the Education State reform agenda across early childhood, schools and vocational education and training. It will build culturally responsive and inclusive services and provide for targeted Koorie initiatives, including initiatives to support learners with additional needs to meet educational benchmarks.
Source: Victoria State Government
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​Supporting the safety and wellbeing of students

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School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS)
​An evidence-based framework for preventing and responding to student behaviour. It aims to create a positive school climate, a culture of student competence and an open, responsive management system for all school community members.
Source: Department of Education and Training

Be You
A mental health and wellbeing framework for primary schools and early childhood education and care services.
Source: Be You

​Kids Helpline @ School
An early intervention and prevention model for all primary school aged students around Australia. The program allows primary schools to invite Kids Helpline counsellors into their classroom via video link or phone. Sessions are facilitated by a tertiary qualified Kids Helpline counsellor, and aim to improve mental health literacy, promote resilience and encourage help seeking behaviours.
Source: Kids Helpline

DET Promoting and Supporting Mental Health Online Course
​A program to help school staff recognise and better understand their role in promoting mental health and to build their capacity and skills to create environments where children and young people can thrive, learn and grow.
​Source: Department of Education and Training

​DET Support and Resources for Specific Groups of Students
​The following information outlines resources, strategies and supports for specific groups of students who have additional needs, or who may face barriers to engaging with school.
​Source: Department of Education and Training

​Andrew Fuller's Website
​Clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller works with many schools and communities in Australia and internationally. His website includes resources on resilience, psychology and brains and learning for students, schools, parents and professionals. 
Source: Andrew Fuller

PROTECT - The Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian early childhood services and schools, to ensure they are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.
Source: Department of Education and Training

Child Protection Protocol
Information and resources to promote and support the safety and wellbeing of all children in early childhood services and schools including the protocol, guidelines for making a report to Child Protection or Child FIRST, mandatory reporting training, Child Wise publications and links to supporting organisations.
Source: Department of Education and Training

Child FIRST
​School staff should make a referral to Child FIRST when they have concerns about a child’s wellbeing but do not believe the child needs protection.
Source: Department of Health and Human Services

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Guidelines, procedures and resources for the reduction and elimination of restraint and seclusion
New and revised resources, including 15 Principles for the Reduction and Elimination of Restraint are now available to all Victorian government schools to help school staff manage student behaviour posing a risk to their staff or student's safety.
Source: Department of Education and Training
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SWPBS Road Map
​​Infographic detailing key facets of the SWPBS framework.
​​
Source: Department of Education and Training
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Resilience Right and Respectful Relationships Online Learning Course 
This course aims to develop your expertise and practice in promoting social and emotional wellbeing and learning. The course has an explicit focus on the use of the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships teaching and learning materials, which are designed to enhance the personal and social capabilities of students. 
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships Learning Materials
Learning materials designed for teachers in primary and secondary schools to develop students’ social, emotional and positive relationship skills. The materials cover eight topics of Social and Emotional Learning across all levels of primary and secondary education: Emotional Literacy; Personal Strengths; Positive Coping; Problem Solving; Stress Management; Help Seeking; Gender and Identity; and Positive Gender Relationships.
Source:
 Department of Education and Training


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​Supporting students with speech, language and communication needs

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Speech Pathology Australia
Information about finding, choosing, and accessing speech pathology services, and fact sheets on topics such as Communication Impairment, Speech Pathology, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Literacy, and Speech Pathology and Indigenous Children.
Source: Speech Pathology Australia

Five From Five
The FIVE from FIVE project was developed with the objective of promoting effective, evidence-based reading instruction, by providing free resources to teachers, principals and parents. The website has a wide range of information on phonological awareness, reading instruction and reading comprehension.
Source: Multilit

Inclusive Classrooms Professional Learning Program
The Inclusive Classrooms professional learning program offers courses to build the capacity of the education workforce to implement inclusive practice and support students with diverse learning needs. It provides learning in the areas of supporting students with Autism, Supporting Students with Learning Difficulties including Dyslexia and Supporting Students with Oral Language and Learning.
Source: Department of Education and Training  

Understanding ASD Through the Lens of Executive Function Webinar
Participants will learn about the effect of weak executive function on social interaction, decision making, setting personal goals and performing tasks at school and home and find out about practical, evidence-based strategies that help students with ASD with learning and participation.
​Source: YarraMe School

Oral Language Supporting ​Early Literacy
Extensive resources for teachers and parents to improve the oral language and literacy skills of students in the early years of schooling. Includes teaching outlines, and resources to understand the issues surrounding oral language and literacy.
Source:
 Catholic Education Commission of Victoria
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​Supporting students with a disability

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Program for students ​with Disabilities
DET guidelines and links on the Program for Students with Disabilities which provides additional support within the Student Resource Package for eligible students with disabilities in regular and special schools.
Source: Department of Education and Training

inclusive Education for School Resource
DET resource to help teachers and schools work together with families to create inclusive educational experiences for children with a disability.
Source: Department of Education and Training

​DET Understanding Autism
​A range of factsheets for educational professionals covering the characteristics and common behaviours of children and young people on the autism spectrum and related strategies and interventions that can be used as starting points for educational professionals.
Source: Department of Education and Training

​​DET ASD ​Support Materials
These resources provide a starting point as part of a broader approach that early childhood and school settings will take to meet the needs of children and young people on the autism spectrum.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Autism Spectrum Disorder ​Guide
​This guide will assist schools to develop their understanding of autism spectrum disorder and to cater for the diverse needs of their students on the spectrum.
Access instructions: Sign up for free to Click on Wellbeing.  Log in and click on the autism spectrum disorder button.
Source: Click on Wellbeing

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ABLES Online Professional Learning Program
A free online course suitable for teachers and educational support staff.  The course comprises five one-hour modules, each focusing on a specific element of the ABLES suite of resources.
Source: ABLES Professional Learning portal

Disability Standards eLearning Modules
This course is designed to help you uphold your legal obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards). These obligations focus on providing fair access to education for students with disability. The course may also assist classroom teachers with leadership roles in areas of curriculum.
Source:
Australian Government Department of Education  
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​Education Needs Assessment

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ENA Guidance
​Guidance for school leaders, teachers, Student Support Services, case managers and Student Support Groups about requesting and conducting an educational needs assessment for a child or young person in out-of-home care enrolled at a Victorian government school.
Source: The Department of Education and Training

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ENA Checklist
A checklist to guide planning for obtaining an education needs assessment.
Source: The Department of Education and Training
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Supporting students with refugee backgrounds

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Support for refugee students
DET guidelines, resources and links for supporting students from refugee backgrounds.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Foundation House ​Schools Support Program
A specialist consulting service for schools in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Services include: participation in the Refugee Education Support Program (RESP), specialist resources for schools, partnerships with schools and professional learning.
Source: Foundation House School Support Program

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Centre for ​Multicultural Youth
A Victorian not-for-profit organisation supporting young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to build better lives in Australia. Through a combination of specialist support services, training and consultancy, knowledge sharing and advocacy, they work to remove the barriers young people face as they make Australia their home.
Source: ​CMY
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English as an additional language

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DET EAL Guidelines and Resources
DET guidelines, resources and links to support students, schools, teachers, program planning, assessment and reporting in the area of EAL in Victorian government schools.
Source: ​Department of Education and Training
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DET EAL Support and Funding Guidance
​This guidance provides schools with advice for planning and implementing effective programs for a school’s English as an Additional Language (EAL) student cohort. 
Source: ​Department of ​Education and Training

Accessing Interpreting and Translating services
DET guidelines, information and access to accredited interpreters to support communication with students and families from language backgrounds other than English.
Source: Department of Education and Training
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The EAL Handbook
A DET handbook outlining advice to schools planning and implementing programs to support students learning English as an Additional Language.
Source: ​Department of ​Education and Training

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​Supporting LGBTI students
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DET Safe Schools Program
In 2010, the Victorian Government established Safe Schools to ensure schools are safe places for all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) students, and are free of discrimination.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Safe Schools Coalition
Safe Schools Coalition Australia offers a suite of free resources and support to equip staff and students with skills, practical ideas and greater confidence to lead positive change and be safe and inclusive for same sex attracted, intersex and gender diverse students, staff and families.
Source: Safe Schools ​Coalition Australia

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DET Sexuality Resources
A range of resources are provided to assist teachers with the inclusion of sexual diversity in the school’s sexuality education program.
Source: Department of Education and Training

​DET LGBTIQ Student Support ​Policy and Resources 
​Policy is to ensure schools support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and gender diverse, Intersex, and Queer and questioning (LGBTIQ) students.
Source: Department of Education and Training

Trans Gender Victoria
​Education and resources to support the trans and gender diverse community.
Source: Trans Gender Victoria

Minus18
Minus 18 is Australia’s national organisation for LGBTIQ youth. Their website provides access to resources, advice and events.
Source: Minus18

Transcend
​Transcend is an information hub for parents and families of transgender children.
Source: ​Transcend
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You're ​Not Alone
​This booklet produced by the WA AIDS Council’s Freedom Centre provides information for LGBTIQ and questioning young people.
Source: Freedom Centre

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Families ​Like Mine
A guide for parents and families of young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse or who are questioning their sexuality or gender identity.
Source: Beyond Blue

OMG I'm Trans
​OMG I’m Trans is a Minus18 publication containing stories, advice, support and resources for transgender young people. This page also provides access to order other publications from Minus 18 such as OMG I’m Queer and OMG My Friend is Queer. 
Source: Minus18
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Bullying, Racism and Gender Inequality
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Respectful Relationships
​Respectful Relationships is about tackling family violence through education. As part of a staged process, all Victorian schools will be supported to implement a whole school approach, looking at schools’ practices and policies relating to gender and driving meaningful cultural change.  The approach will build a culture of respect and equality in our schools - as learning places and as workplaces that achieve long-term change in the community.
Source: Department of Education and Training
Victorian Anti-Bullying and Mental Health Initiative
Tools and resources to build a culture of respect and understanding, and to empower students to stand up and speak out when they see bullying. 
Source: Department of Education and Training
DET Bullying Policy
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​Victorian government schools take bullying very seriously and have guidelines for its prevention and management.
Source: Department of Education and Training
Bully Stoppers
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Bully Stoppers is the Department's online resource dedicated to bullying prevention. Developed by a range of experts, it provides advice for teachers, parents and students on how to identify, respond to and prevent bullying in their school community.
Source: Department of Education and Training
Addressing Bullying in Education Guide
This guide is designed to support schools to make sense of the complex issue of bullying and to consider fresh ways to develop a whole school approach to the issue.
Source: Click on Wellbeing
Access instructions: Sign up for a free Click on Wellbeing account.  Log in and click on the 'Addressing Bullying in Education' button.
Bullying. No Way!
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​These teacher resources help school leaders and teachers create and sustain safe and supportive school communities.
Source: BNW
Racism. No Way!
The Racism. No way! project aims to assist school communities and education systems to recognise and address racism in the learning environment. 
Source: RNW
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Responding to and Managing Bullying Behaviours
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A practical guide to support teachers to respond and manage bullying and cyberbullying behaviours within schools.
Source: Department of Education and Training
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​Self-care for educators
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Employee Health, Safety and Wellbeing Services
Information regarding the Employee Health, Safety and Wellbeing Services available to DET staff including the Employee Assistance Program.
Source: Department of Education and Training

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Self-Care for Educators
A fact sheet from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network on managing compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress.
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network

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Teacher Self Care Tip Sheet
This resource provides tips for managing compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress and presents helpful online resources.
Source: Australian Child & Adolescent trauma, loss and grief network
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Recommended Books
​Supporting students with attachment difficulties
Inside I’m Hurting: Practical Strategies for Supporting Children with Attachment Difficulties in Schools - by Louise Bombèr
Inside I'm Hurting provides educational professionals with classroom strategies, practical tools and the confidence to support children from an attachment perspective, thus promoting inclusion in the school system.

What about Me?: Inclusive Strategies to Support Pupils with Attachment Difficulties Make It Through the School Day - by Louise Bombèr
What would a genuinely supportive school day look like in practice, for children who have experienced attachment difficulties and developmental vulnerability? What are the core features of an attachment-friendly school? How can we promote inclusion and positively affect learning outcomes among pupils in need, at risk, in care and adopted? Loiuse Bombèr, teacher, therapist, trainer and author, draws on her extensive experience in working with these children and young people to answer some of these questions.
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Attachment in the Classroom: the links between children's early experience, emotional wellbeing and performance in school - by ​Heather Geddes
Every day, teachers and other school staff deal with children who present challenging behaviour during their learning process at school. This book combines the fundamental principles of attachment theory with teacher-based examples, and practical 'how-to' interventions.
Trauma and the Brain
Traumatic Experience and the Brain - by ​Dave Ziegler
This book details the effect of trauma on the developing brain, describing how it actually rewires one's perceptions of self, others, and the world.

The Boy Who Was Raised As a Dog - by ​Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
Child psychiatrist Bruce Perry has treated children faced with unimaginable horror: genocide survivors, witnesses, children raised in closets and cages, and victims of family violence. Here he tells their stories of trauma and transformation.

Distressed or Deliberately Defiant - by Dr Judith Howard
It’s not unusual for educators today, whether in the early childhood, primary or secondary sectors, to be confronted with severely challenging student behaviour. Such behaviour has considerable impact on the delivery of teaching and learning programs, the emotional wellbeing of the teachers themselves and raises safety risks for the entire school community. This book explains the basis for such behaviour as the neurological, physiological and behavioural outcomes of "disorganised attachment" due to prolonged exposure to a traumatic home life and provides practical advice to educators on ways that schools can effectively manage these students.
Behaviour Management
Prevent –Teach- Reinforce by Glen Dunlap et al.
This is a practical guide to the research-proven Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) model. Developed by some of the most respected authorities on positive behaviour support, this innovative model gives school-based teams a five-step plan for reducing problems unresolved by typical behaviour management strategies.
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Email yarra.me.sch@education.vic.gov.au | Phone (03) 9478 8895 | Fax (03) 9478 6686 | Address Highview Road Preston Vic 3072 | Postal PO Box 8228 Northland Centre VIC 3072  | ABN 32 453 166 084