Mr MITCHELL - 1994-09-01
I understand that the Women's Advisory Council met in Darwin yesterday and, among the issues raised, was the difficulties parents have in dealing with so-called problem schoolchildren. Can the minister advise any strategies that the government has in place to assist parents with children who have behavioural difficulties or are emotionally disturbed?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am well aware of the concerns, not only of the Women's Advisory Council but throughout the community, about not only the problems of those young students themselves but also the difficulties that often they can cause to the rest of the classroom. These concerns have been expressed in a number of forums. In fact, last night in the adjournment debate, I believe the member for Braitling concentrated much of her discussion on what she described as 'realistic views' held by the parents of some students at Anzac High School.
The Behavioural Management Unit, headed by Sandy Healey, operates out of a facility at Berrimah. The Star Centre, as it is referred to, has provided effectiveness training courses and workshops for parents, teachers and teacher assistants. It also has done some work with the police. Those courses, which are held not only at the Star Centre but more often than not in schools or in the community generally throughout the Northern Territory, provide appropriate custom-designed advice to suit the particular circumstances.
The Star Centre has now taken in its first group of students who have significant behavioural problems that lead to severe disruption in the classrooms. Such problems often are beyond the ability of the classroom teacher even with the support of officers from the Behavioural Management Unit, but those students can now be withdrawn. There are about 8 students in the first session which began in July. During the opening ceremony for the new
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facility last week, I had the opportunity to see some of the work of these young students. Sandra Healey's team has an excellent reputation. The results are beginning to show already, although it is very early days for those particularly difficult students.
The critical ingredient for Star Centre participants is that the students' parents need to be involved in the programs to ensure that there is a broader solution to their problem. It is important how parents manage the child's particular difficulties. One parent said that she cannot believe the difference in her child. She said that it is 'absolutely amazing'. After only 6 weeks in the unit, this child is back in a mainstream class 2 days a week. I have enormous faith that the Star Centre, which has agents or officers in various centres throughout the Territory, will produce even better results.
The Parent Effectiveness Program has been operating since 1988, and I will quote some of the comments of the parents themselves. One mother said: 'I am already feeling more in control'. A father said: 'I have stopped nagging. It is wonderful. The atmosphere in the house is so different. My daughter said she was not sure what her mother and I are doing on this course but, whatever it is, she wants us to keep doing it'. Another father said: 'I actually enjoy coming home and taking time out with the kids. I don't get so irritated, and they are more relaxed too. This assertive language stuff is brilliant'. Another mother said: 'I feel great at being able to negotiate better behaviour instead of demanding it and never succeeding'. Another mother said: 'My whole family is learning from this. It is hard work, but it is also exciting. We have even had a few laughs along the way'.
Mr Ede: Could you run this course for members?
Mr FINCH: Behavioural management courses should be compulsory in some cases. I shall arrange a tour of the Star Centre.
Members interjecting.
Mr FINCH: Education Week was last week. There can be no greater endorsement of the success of a program than the genuine and unsolicited letters that parents are sending to the Star Centre. The parents believe that it is working well. As the member for Karama points out, in this Year of the Family, it is important to recognise that the solutions must involve the family.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am well aware of the concerns, not only of the Women's Advisory Council but throughout the community, about not only the problems of those young students themselves but also the difficulties that often they can cause to the rest of the classroom. These concerns have been expressed in a number of forums. In fact, last night in the adjournment debate, I believe the member for Braitling concentrated much of her discussion on what she described as 'realistic views' held by the parents of some students at Anzac High School.
The Behavioural Management Unit, headed by Sandy Healey, operates out of a facility at Berrimah. The Star Centre, as it is referred to, has provided effectiveness training courses and workshops for parents, teachers and teacher assistants. It also has done some work with the police. Those courses, which are held not only at the Star Centre but more often than not in schools or in the community generally throughout the Northern Territory, provide appropriate custom-designed advice to suit the particular circumstances.
The Star Centre has now taken in its first group of students who have significant behavioural problems that lead to severe disruption in the classrooms. Such problems often are beyond the ability of the classroom teacher even with the support of officers from the Behavioural Management Unit, but those students can now be withdrawn. There are about 8 students in the first session which began in July. During the opening ceremony for the new
Page 138
facility last week, I had the opportunity to see some of the work of these young students. Sandra Healey's team has an excellent reputation. The results are beginning to show already, although it is very early days for those particularly difficult students.
The critical ingredient for Star Centre participants is that the students' parents need to be involved in the programs to ensure that there is a broader solution to their problem. It is important how parents manage the child's particular difficulties. One parent said that she cannot believe the difference in her child. She said that it is 'absolutely amazing'. After only 6 weeks in the unit, this child is back in a mainstream class 2 days a week. I have enormous faith that the Star Centre, which has agents or officers in various centres throughout the Territory, will produce even better results.
The Parent Effectiveness Program has been operating since 1988, and I will quote some of the comments of the parents themselves. One mother said: 'I am already feeling more in control'. A father said: 'I have stopped nagging. It is wonderful. The atmosphere in the house is so different. My daughter said she was not sure what her mother and I are doing on this course but, whatever it is, she wants us to keep doing it'. Another father said: 'I actually enjoy coming home and taking time out with the kids. I don't get so irritated, and they are more relaxed too. This assertive language stuff is brilliant'. Another mother said: 'I feel great at being able to negotiate better behaviour instead of demanding it and never succeeding'. Another mother said: 'My whole family is learning from this. It is hard work, but it is also exciting. We have even had a few laughs along the way'.
Mr Ede: Could you run this course for members?
Mr FINCH: Behavioural management courses should be compulsory in some cases. I shall arrange a tour of the Star Centre.
Members interjecting.
Mr FINCH: Education Week was last week. There can be no greater endorsement of the success of a program than the genuine and unsolicited letters that parents are sending to the Star Centre. The parents believe that it is working well. As the member for Karama points out, in this Year of the Family, it is important to recognise that the solutions must involve the family.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016