The WA Government does not have specific policy for young parents and pregnant teenagers but indicated to the Children’s Commissioner that ‘schools can collect information about students’ specific health care needs and respond to needs of services with support of specialist services.’
In 2014 the WA Department of Education issued Guidelines for Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Young People to Continue their Education. Here is an excerpt on the principles:
The following principles should guide school provision for pregnant and parenting young people:
-
Educational opportunity to remain in and/or reconnect with school/training (in accredited pathways) is equally available to pregnant and parenting young people.
-
Barriers to participation for pregnant and parenting young people are reduced.
-
Young fathers are included in provisions for pregnant and parenting young people.
-
Schools provide a safe and supportive environment free from harassment and discrimination in which pregnant and parenting young people can continue their education.
The guidelines need to be updated, for instance, Trinity Learning Centre ceased operation in early 2015. We would welcome advice as to whether schools, other than those listed here, are following those guidelines.
Balga Senior High School, Teen Family Centre helps young parents stay in education, phone 9247 0222 or 9343 6038, 2 Markham Way, Balga. Also community parent and young parents programs, phone 9247 0217 and a childcare centre, phone 9343 6038.
North Lake Senior Campus Fremantle – Fast Track For students who have not successfully completed Year 10 or need extra support to continue or resume secondary education or prepare for work or training. Cnr Parry and Cantonment Streets, Fremantle Phone 9430 7376
Port School Young Parent Centre Hamilton Hill – helps young teen parents (pregnant and/or parenting) to continue their education in a supportive and welcoming environment, child care centre adjacent, opened in Sept 2015. Contact coordinator, youngparentcentre@portschool.wa.edu.au or phone 0468 814 950 or 08 9335 6323 .
Youth Futures provides alternative education programs where young people 15-19 can complete their Certificate I or II General Education in Heathridge (Anchor Point), phone 9300 2677 and Community Outreach Model of Education & Training (COMET) school in Clarkson. COMET became an independent Curriculum and Re-Engagement (CaRE) School in 2015. Phone (08) 9407 9099.
Schools of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) – Supports pregnant and parenting young people throughout WA to continue with their education by enabling them to enrol in lower and senior secondary courses and thus combine parenting and study commitments.
Challenger Institute – Course in gaining access to training and employment at Fremantle, Peel Regional and Rockingham Campuses Phone 9239 8267
Early Childhood Education – Children and Family Centres For information on location and services.
Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre, Albany Mum’s the Word Supports pregnant and parenting young people in the Albany area by providing an educational program through SIDE, a study supervisor and a crèche.