AN AUSTRALIAN-FIRST REPORT
THE CHALLENGES FACING AN ESTIMATED 60,000 AUSTRALIAN KIDS WHO MISS SCHOOL BECAUSE OF SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY
"Who are they, how do we know what works, and whose job is it?"
MissingSchool collaborated with Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, with input from the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, to shine a light on this important issue. Our report was launched at Parliament House on 12 October 2015, bringing with it widespread media coverage which placed the plight of these kids in front of a nation for the first time. The report was generously funded by St George Foundation.
The initiative received a statement of support from the Australian Prime Minister and from the National Children’s Commissioner.
AN australian commonwealth-first report : Systems To Support Sick Kids Missing School
Following the release of the above report, MissingSchool advocated for an Australian Commonwealth-first report on Taking Responsibility : Systems To Support Kids Missing School.
MissingSchool shared our Theory of Change, which informs the context and applications of systems architecture used in this project. The methodology to identify the structural gaps in current Australian policy and practice, through the Policy and Standards Hierarchy, was introduced by Megan Gilmour (Cofounder and then Chair of MissingSchool) who guided its application.
"Over a 12 month period, ARACY investigated the point of cross-over between health and education systems experienced by seriously sick kids missing school, which examined how education and health jurisdictions are working to build co-operation across and between their organisations in support of these kids. In this investigation, ARACY was supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, the MissingSchool organisation, and many health and education professionals."
While there are pockets of effort, the report found widespread gaps in the governance - and therefore systemic provision - of school connection for seriously sick kids.
Taking responsibility - Case Study Report
Taking responsibility - Final Report
Taking responsibility - Practicum Guide
Taking responsibility - Review of Current Practice