The Allan Labor Government is intervening early to support kids at risk and keep Victorians safe.

Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced that Greater Shepparton Secondary College is one of 23 schools across Victoria to receive an Early Intervention Officer.

The officers are part of Labor’s $5.6 million investment in the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), to provide support for kids who need it most.

The officers will work within schools, supporting our teachers and wellbeing teams to:

• Identify students who are most in need of support
• Provide a case management approach for continuity of care
• Improve school attendance, sense of belonging, and relationships between peers
• Connect schools, teachers and families to resolve issues and achieve positive outcomes.

This builds on the VRU’s Early Intervention Sports and Activities Menu – keeping kids engaged in positive activities and picking up on the kids that might need extra support.

This positive intervention is also complimented by the Social Cohesion Through Education (SCTE) program that is providing a further $118,000 investment in Shepparton District Ethnic Council to continue the vital work they do in Shepparton, by creating real connections between young people through sport, mentoring, leadership programs and cultural activities.

Research shows that when schools actively promote inclusiveness and belonging, students develop stronger resilience against violence, aggression and anti-social behaviour.

The program’s success in the Shepparton area will stem from the community input and the people who know their schools best, with each activity – whether it's peer support groups, resilience workshops, youth networking events or parental engagement sessions – co-created with the school to meet their specific needs.

Offending among boys aged 10-17 years old is down. Programs like these will maintain the positive momentum to further drive down youth offending.

Jess Wilson’s Liberals and Nationals have already announced plans to cut the VRU to fill their $11.1 billion budget black hole.

Only Labor has new solutions to make life easier, safer and more affordable for Victorians.

Quotes attributable to Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes

“Keeping young people engaged in school is the best tool to keep at-risk kids focused and on the track to success.”

“Schools do an incredible job, and Early Intervention Officers will provide additional dedicated case management for kids that need it most.”

“The Allan Labor Government is making sure Victorian kids feel safer and more connected at school – strengthening local communities like Shepparton.”