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

23 schools across Victoria have been selected to receive Early Intervention Officers.

Member for Melton Steve McGhie today announced that Melton Secondary College and Staughton College in Melton will receive Early Intervention Officers.

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, principals 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 their relationships with peers
• Connect schools, teachers and families to resolve issues and achieve positive outcomes.

Organisations partnering with schools include the Centre for Multicultural Youth, Foundation House, Jesuit Social Services and the Les Twentyman Foundation.

This builds on the VRU’s Early Intervention Sports and Activities Menu – keeping kids engaged in positive activities to stop them heading down the wrong path.

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 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 Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll

“Keeping children engaged in school is the best tool against youth crime.”

“Having positive peer relationships at school helps keep at-risk kids focused and out of the youth justice system.”

 “Schools do an incredible job, and Early Intervention Officers will provide dedicated case management for troubled kids.”

 Quotes attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie

 “Labor is preventing violence before it starts through early intervention, strengthening local communities like Melton”