Course description
This conference is for DECYP social workers only.
You must either be employed as a DECYP social worker, be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) or hold a social work tertiary qualification. Social work students on placement within DECYP are also eligible to attend.
Join Department for Education, Children and Young People social workers for the Bi-ennial 2025 School Social Work Conference. This year’s conference will include social workers from all areas of DECYP – Education, Interagency, Child Safety, Youth Justice and the Advice and Referral Line social work staff.
This year’s core focus highlights the critical role that social workers play in overcoming systemic obstacles to student engagement, through fostering inclusive practices and environments. Keynote presentations include:
– Tiffany Westphal – Social Worker, founding board member of School Can’t Australia and developer of the Student Stress Investigation Tool.
– Emma Aorangi – Principal Project Officer – Student Engagement – Department for Education, Children and Young People.
– Kristine Bull – Practicing psychologist and developer of the “Brain Boot Camp” mental health program for young people.
Course outcomes
– Understand the “Multi-Tiered System of Support” and strategies to drive student engagement and DECYP’s Attendance and School Improvement Priorities.
– Identify student stressors and barriers to school engagement.
– Provide education to parents / carers and educators on how to help students experiencing barriers to engaging in their education.
– Innovative strategies to support students experiencing mental health challenges engage in their education.
– Gain ideas and strategies and learn from schools where social work has contributed to turning around student engagement.
– Network with other DECYP social worker’s, share experiences and ideas and new ways of working.
