The Waratah Unit is a pre-release program designed to help students have a successful reintegration back into the general community.
The young people collaboratively develop with staff an individually tailored case plan that focuses on education, vocational skills and social supports in the community. Addressing these factors helps to ensure that young people feel prepared.
The student’s transition plan focuses on:
· Accommodation
· Education
· Pre-employment training
· Employment
· Health assessment and links to community
· Counselling
Students return to the community with extensive documentation which is packaged in a portfolio for lifelong possession. These documents include Birth Certificates, Bank Accounts, Medicare, Tax file numbers, Learner driver's licences, CPR accreditation, White Cards, etc…
The Dorchester Education and Training Unit coordinates formal accreditation across a range of individually targeted areas for the young people. This can be in association with the NSW Board of Studies, Registered Training Organisations or TAFE.
Dependent on the student’s Transition Plan… they can achieve accreditation in the following courses.
- TAFE - Construction
- White Card
- Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)
- Fork Lift Licence
- Operate Elevating Work Platform Confined Space Entry
- Safe Work at Heights
- Alcohol and Other drugs in the Workplace
- Asbestos Awareness
- Armed Robbery Safety Awareness
- Bullying and Harassment for Employees
- Chemical Handling
- Confined Spaces Hazard Guide
- Dealing with Workplace Conflict
- Electrical Hazard Guide
- Driving Safety
- Fire Awareness and Extinguisher Training
- First Aid Online
- General Evac Training
- Hand Operated Power Tools Hazzard Guide
- Hazardous Chemical
- Injury Management
- Manual Tasks for Work
- Occupational Health and Safety Fundamentals
- Risk Management for Workers
- Social Media Policy
- Underground Utilities Hazard
Students also have the option of continuing with their HSC studies or exploring other pathways through TAFE.
Waratah students are also transitioned into the workforce with employers based conveniently close to their home address. Many students choose to attend TAFE Campuses across Sydney to further their studies.
A mixture of physical, recreational and educational excursions occur on a weekly basis. The annual trips to Sydney’s major landmark’s, the Royal Easter Show, exploring Sydney Harbour, climbing the Grade 5 Sublime Point walk, etc… are intertwined with tennis, golf and other P.E. activities. The young people also visited the south coast on weekends to enjoy fishing or to use the beaches.
The nearby Nature Reserves and Parklands are also explored regularly, likewise the environments of the South Coast.
Dorchester ETU also assists in connecting and registering students with local community sporting and dance groups where students can participate in sporting activities after school and on weekends.
Waratah students have two different camping programs throughout the year that are spread across 3-4 camps.
Students visit the Wombeyan Karst Reserve to experience the wilderness, native wildlife, and the geographic and geological formations of the Australian bush. The camp also focuses on students preparing all meals on campfires withdrawing from the life’s convenience of electrical power and gas.
The students also experience Marine Camps on the NSW South Coast where a strong focus on Beach / Ocean Safety, Aboriginal Culture and independent living skills is presented.
The Dorchester ETU has strong relationships with the Mollymook Surf Club, NSW Marine Rescue and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife.
Waratah students visit the Tharawal Aboriginal Co–op once or twice weekly engaging in community service programs. Mixing with Elders and Indigenous leaders on a regular basis, a symbiotic relationship with Tharawal has strongly developed. The young men also attend the Aboriginal Programs Unit of Campbelltown TAFE. Students engage in programs specifically developed for enhancement of Employability Skills. The Aboriginal teachers also lead the boys into the local bushland reserves to learn traditional skills such as canoe and didgeridoo making.
