M1 | Workshop | Courage in Action: Creating Caring Education Communities for Youth-at-Risk to Thrive
Tracks
| Wednesday, June 11, 2025 |
| 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM |
| M1 |
Synopsis
The School of Alternative Learning Settings (SALS) was established in 2019 to support young people excluded from mainstream education due to aggression or violence. Using a strength-based, youth-led approach, SALS integrates the Reclaiming Youth at Risk (RYAR) philosophy, the Three Pillars of Transforming Care (TPOC), and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools (TCIS-2) across 12 sites in Western Australia.
This presentation will share practical insights into building trauma-informed, culturally safe alternative education environments, discuss the challenges of implementing evidence-based models, and highlight the positive impact of SALS on student outcomes.
Speaker
Mr Geoffrey Collings
Lead School Psychologist
School of Alternative Learning Settings
Courage in Action: Creating caring education communities for youth-at-risk to thrive
Biography
Geoff is a Senior School Psychologist for the School of Alternative Learning Settings (SALS) in the Department of Education Western Australia. Since starting as a School Psychologist in 2014, his career has spanned across primary and secondary education environment.
Geoff utilises the Reclaiming Youth at Risk philosophy and Circle of Courage, providing a strengths-based framework supporting youth at-risk. This guides his work in helping students develop their sense of belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity, allowing them to overcome challenges and thrive.
Mr Matt Brennan-Jones
Lead School Psychologist
School of Alternative Learning Settings
Courage in Action: Creating caring education communities for youth-at-risk to thrive
Biography
Matt Brennan-Jones is the Lead School Psychologist for the School of Alternative Learning Settings (SALS) in the WA Department of Education. With a background in supporting young people with complex needs, he is a certified trainer in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention in Schools (TCIS), Reclaiming Youth at Risk, and the Three Pillars of Transforming Care. Matt is also a former President of the School Psychologist Association of WA.
