The initiative helps young people aged 10 to 17 reconnect and remain engaged with education and training in a way that suits their needs and interests. It runs at high volume children's courts and all Koorie Children's Courts in Victoria.
Education Justice Initiative services
Our team members are available to:
- talk to young people about their educational needs and interests
- liaise with schools and training providers on behalf of young people, to help them get back into education.
So whether a young person wants to return to school, enrol in TAFE, apply for an apprenticeship or doesn't know what they want to do, help and advice is available.
Other services include:
- advocating on behalf of the young person to resolve education issues and connect young people to necessary support or programs
- facilitating enrolment in schools, alternative education settings and vocational courses
- giving information to the court about the young person's education to assist the court in decision making.
For more information on the initiative's operating model, policy context and service delivery, read:
- Education Justice Initiative operating guidelines (pdf -
- Education Justice Initiative operating guidelines (docx -
Eligibility
Young people aged 10 to 17 years old who have a matter with the criminal division of the Children's Court or the Koori Children's Court are eligible to receive support and advice from one of our team members.
If a young person already has a worker from a government agency, our team members can work with them to ensure a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach. This includes youth justice worker, Children's Court Diversion Service workers or Child Protection case managers.
Young people who are not connected to government agency support services can be referred directly to the program.
Referrals
Referrals should be made directly to the appropriate EJI team member for the Children’s Court where the young person’s matter is being heard.
Alternatively, contact the EJI central office: eji.referrals@education.vic.gov.au
Referrals can be made by:
- young people and their families
- magistrates
- police
- Youth Justice and the Children's Court Youth Diversion Service
- Victoria Legal Aid / legal representatives
- community organisations
- schools.
Collection of information
We can collect personal and health information necessary for its services and functions, while recognising the right of individuals to have their information handled in ways they would reasonably expect and in ways that protect their personal and health information.
For more information on how the Education Justice Initiative collects and shares information, read the Collection Notice.
Staff and court locations
Our team members attend:
- Children's Court sitting days in all headquarter courts
- Koori Children's Court
- higher volume children's courts across Victoria.
Koorie education liaison officers provide services to young Koorie people with matters in Koori Children's Courts or mainstream Children's Courts.
Regional education liaison officers provide services to all young people in mainstream Children's Courts and Koori Children's Courts.
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Melbourne
- Email: oliver.butt@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 7022 0379
- Mobile: 0428 402 284
- Email: lisa.desanta-ana@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 7005 1831
- Mobile: 0457 540 304
Warrnambool, Portland & Hamilton
- Email: joey.chatfield@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 8871 2580
- Mobile: 0436 863 071
LaTrobe Valley, Bairnsdale, Sale
- Email: Kellie.Asmussen@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 5194 4242
- Mobile: 0438 045 477
Frankston and Moorabbin
- Email: victoria.bramall-white@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 8766 5717
- Mobile: 0457 130 981
Mildura, Swan Hill and Robinvale
- Email: marty.peterson@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 5077 3178
- Mobile: 0436 683 660
Shepparton, Wodonga and Benalla
- Email: natalie.anderson2@education.vic.gov.au
- Mobile: 0436 862 360
Geelong (non-Koorie young people)
- Email: Nicky.Collins-Smith@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone:0499 791 909
Geelong (Koorie young people only)
- Email: joey.chatfield@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 8871 2580
- Mobile: 0436 863 071
Sunshine, Werribee
- Email: nathanael.poljak@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 9194 6340
- Mobile: 0447 298 251
Dandenong
- Email: kim.kenealy@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 0477 375 650
Ringwood
- Email: julia.chaing@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 7022 0998
- Mobile: 0436 692 784
- Email: jody.daff@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 7002 1130
- Mobile: 0412 081 846
Bendigo and Heidelberg
- Email: shona.douglas@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 4433 7509
- Mobile: 0429 210 693
Broadmeadows and Ballarat
- Email: Aleida.RodriguezPalmer@education.vic.gov.au
- Phone: 7505 3629
- Mobile: 0448 613 625
If you're unable to contact your local representative, please email your referral to the central team on eji.referrals@education.vic.gov.au
Background
Young people involved in the criminal justice system have typically experienced significant disadvantage, and are often disengaged from education. There's strong evidence that education is key to reducing young people's risk of reoffending, and building positive life skills and improving long term outcomes.
The Education Justice Initiative assists young people to re-engage with education in a way that suits their needs and interests. The initiative is run by us and is supported by the Children's Court of Victoria.
Reviewed 06 April 2023