LOOKOUT Centre

About this service

LOOKOUT Centres are designed to boost the capacity of schools, child protection and out of home care services to improve educational outcomes for children and young people living in out of home care. We do so through professional development with staff and carers, expert advice to schools to support individual students, challenging enrolment decisions that aren't in a student's best interests and facilitating opportunities for students to participate fully in school life. The Centre's team are based across the Department's Footscray, Geelong and Ballarat offices. Including expertise in education, social work, psychology and data analysis, we work as part of a multi-disciplinary service response, building on the expertise and professional practice within schools, the community sector, across the Department and with Department of Health and Human Services. LOOKOUT Centre staff are here to provide advice and support to school staff, child protection workers, community service organisations and carers in all aspects of a student’s education. Staff reinforce the fundamental importance of education for children and young people in out of home care - pushing everyone, including the students, to hold high expectations of what our children and young people can achieve through education and to do everything possible to realise those expectations.