New analysis published by not-for-profit social impact organisation Social Ventures Australia (SVA) found the value of the Y NSW's Alternative Suspension program – which helps students who are suspended or at-risk of suspension re-engage with their education – is mostly driven by more students improving their behaviour, finishing Year 12, gaining employment, and minimising cost to the community.
SVA Consulting Principal Sam Thorp said the results were based on the academic research into similar programs nationally and internationally.
“There are a lot of short-term outcomes in terms of benefits to the students themselves and their engagement with school, but there are also the benefits to teachers who are able to use their class time better, and to the other students in the classroom,” Mr Thorp said, describing the program’s short-term positive outcomes.
“The key flow-on effect from that is having more students finish Year 12. The reason that is quite key is because there is very strong evidence of the long-term benefits of finishing Year 12 rather than leaving school prior. Students who finish Year 12 have a significantly higher average income, but also less engagement with the justice system and the health system. That is where a lot of the value of the program is calculated to come from.”
Sam Thorp speaking at NSW Parliament House. Photo: Nicole Anderson.
With the Alternative Suspension program benefitting at-risk students, teachers, peers, and communities, the findings estimate that the program is likely to lead to between 10 and 18 additional students finishing Year 12 per year (out of 136 students).
“We compared that benefit with the cost of the program, and what we found was that in order to effectively cover its costs and breakeven, only five students need to finish Year 12 that wouldn’t otherwise,” Mr Thorp said.
“Depending on the evidence you look at, the program is likely to create significantly more value than that.”
The Y NSW's Alternative Suspension program is inspiring lives. Photo: Nicole Anderson.
For every dollar spent, the program returns up to $2.52.
“The program returns between $1.69 and $2.52 back to society, both to the student, and also to the government – both New South Wales and Australia,” Mr Thorp explained.
These numbers demonstrate that the financial benefits of the Y NSW Alternative Suspension program far outweigh the costs, but for Central Coast youth worker Isabella Halpin, it’s about more than numbers.
“At face value, Alternative Suspension is a school re-engagement program supporting high school student who are suspended or at risk of suspension,” she described.
“We do one-on-one goal development, make referrals, build life skills, and support return-to-school plans all while working alongside families, services, and schools.”
Youth worker Issy Halpin spoke about the impact of the program on the Central Coast. Photo: Nicole Anderson.
In the last 12 months on the Central Coast, the Alternative Suspension team have seen a 53 per cent improvement in physical violence and 48 per cent improvement in verbal abuse from students. They have seen over 300 participants, and 92 per cent returned to school.
“At the centre of each of these statistics is a young person who has made this program what it is. Yes, Alternative Suspension is a school program, but a young person brings their whole life with them, so support naturally extends beyond just re-engaging them with their education,” Ms Halpin said.
"That’s why the impact of Alternative Suspension is so much bigger than its statistics.”
An example of the impact of the program is participant Tommy, who had not attended school for eight months and was becoming involved in criminal activity.
“It took us two weeks of trying, but by week three he was through our doors, and he kept showing up even on the days where he was the only person on the program,” she said.
“We advocated for, and settled him into his preferred local high school, connected him with Aboriginal mentoring services, and supported a positive relationship with police – to the point they told us his name was coming up far less than before.
“His mum also told us about the positive changes she was seeing in him at home, and by the end of his time, he re-engaged and is attending high school.”
With the program having a strong positive impact on local communities, the Y NSW is recommending that the NSW Government broadens access to the Alternative Suspension program across the state, ensuring that young people at risk of disengagement or suspension can access timely, community-based support.
Read more about the Y NSW Alternative Suspension program online here.
