Never see a need without doing something about it

Never see a need without doing something about it.

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

At Borinya we implement a School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) framework called WALK. WALK is a framework that sets whole school expectations for staff, students, visitors and volunteers with four key expected behaviours, Courageous, Resilient, Inclusive and Curious. Students are explicitly taught these expected behaviours within the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program in context to their Class time, Break time, Online and Community Learning spaces. Daily, our morning gatherings focus on these expected behaviours as a reflection in the context to Catholic Identity.

As a community inspired by the Catholic story, we value these expectations.

At Borinya we recognise and value highly that quality relationships are fundamental to student engagement and learning. Our SEL program is a learning program that provides an opportunity for small groups (five students and 1-2 adults) to develop quality relationships within the context of social and emotional awareness. 

As a part of Pastoral Care and Wellbeing, Borinya staff have developed a framework for which all students can be supported regardless of their social, emotional and learning needs. We call this Borinya WALK Behavioural Support (on our website)and we strive to provide the best support possible for our students and families to thrive.

Wellbeing Levels of Support

At Borinya, we recognise that some students and families require greater levels of support. To provide further support we partner with North East Support and Action for Youth (NESAY) we employ a Wellbeing Practitioner and School Engagement Practitioner for some students and their families. Our Wellbeing Practitioner offers primary and secondary counseling support to students and our School Engagement Practitioner will provide outreach to our students’ families for support and engagement in the Borinya program.

LEVEL 1 - 3

BORINYA TEAM (ONSITE)

teaching and non teaching staff and including SEL mentors

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • respond and manage any student absenteeism
  • manage and respond to classroom behaviour and events
  • manage any safety and risk concerns within Borinya policy and procedural frameworks
  • provide educational needs (& excursions) for students and notify of any students who require additional supports
  • initiate and submit referrals for students to receive case management support or mental health intervention to the Borinya leadership team

LEVEL 1 - 5

BORINYA LEADERSHIP TEAM (ONSITE)

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • manage communication and information sharing to NESAY from Borinya staff
  • endorse and manage all referrals to NESAY for young people and assist in triaging any urgent referrals as needed
  • manage and lead any onsite safety issues & events work with NESAY to respond and report for any protective or wellbeing urgent need/concern

LEVEL 3 - 4

NESAY YOUTH SUPPORT (ONSITE & OUTREACH)

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • case management intervention for young people with case load of 12 at anytime inform the Principal (or their delegate) of any safety or concern for students support the Principal (or their delegate) to triage any urgent referrals as needed
  • facilitate care team meetings with SEL, leadership, family engagement practitioner, pastoral care and external agencies as needed
  • be present on site as scheduled & agreed
  • work with Borinya Principal (or delegate) to respond and report for any protective or wellbeing urgent need/concern
  • referrals must be endorsed by Borinya student review team

LEVEL 3 - 4

NESAY FAMILY ENGAGEMENT WORKER (OFFSITE)

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • the School Engagement Practitioner will provide intensive & practical case management support for all members of the family unit, to assist to understand what the barriers to engagement are and together create responses to address these.
  • maintain an active case load of 6 families at any time, who have been identified as requiring support to engage with Borinya.
  • liaise with the Leadership team at Borinya and all enrolled families to complete an assessment of what are the strengths, areas for development and opportunities for Borinya to expand its engagement with families

LEVEL 4 - 5

CLINICAL INTERVENTION (ONSITE)

 

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • clinical intervention for students who have high and
    complex mental health needs case load of 3 students at any one time
  • referrals must be completed by Borinya leadership team

NESAY Wellbeing Support Team

In Addition to our staff providing Wellbeing support, we contract 2 services that compliment our full service model for your child while at Boringa from North East Support & Action for Youth (NESAY).

Wellbeing Practitioner
The role of the Wellbeing Practitioner is to provide young people attending Borinya with case management and generalist wellbeing support within the educational setting. With support from the Wellbeing Practitioner, the young person will address concerns/barriers, and identify and work through goals to enhance different areas of their lives (i.e. school, mental health, social/family connections etc). The young people can be supported on a regular or as needed basis. The young person and families can also be supported to engage with external specialist services where required (i.e. psychologist, GP etc.). Group work (i.e. group programs) within the school setting can also be facilitated by the Wellbeing Practitioner as required.
School Engagement Practitioner

The School Engagement Practitioner role is to provide intensive and practical case management support to families of young people attending Borinya. An outreach model of support ensures families can be supported within the family home, to reflect and understand what the challenges to the young person’s engagement are. The School Engagement Practitioner will work alongside the family to create opportunities to address these challenges, to enhance the students engagement at school. Students and families will also be supported to engage with external specialist services where required.

Willow - Therapy Dog

We are excited to have a therapy dog on site that provides comfort, companionship and emotional support to students who may experience behavioural, emotional, developmental and mental health conditions, physical disabilities or isolation. Willow will assist students to engage in school and encourage regular and sustained attendance. Willow will assist with sensory regulation for students and reduce anxiety through calm companionship.

A recent report highlighted students working with therapy dogs experienced increased motivation for learning, resulting in improved outcomes.  Research has shown a range of benefits including increased school attendance, gains in confidence, self esteem and enhanced relationships with peers and teachers.