The Education Court Liaison Officer (ECLO) program was established as a pilot program in 2018 in response to the 2017 Parliamentary Inquiry into the Adequacy of Youth Diversionary Programs in NSW.

The program was established to investigate the feasibility of connecting and/or reconnecting young people before the NSW Children’s Court with formal education to improve their life-long outcomes by increasing their educational skills and, in turn, decreasing recidivism. The program seeks to:

• Improve educational outcomes for vulnerable, at-risk students.
• Support service coordination and re-engagement back to school for young people between 10 and 17 years who have disengaged from their education.
• Support all young people to finish school and be well prepared for higher education, training and work.

The program works closely with schools, vocational and training providers and other education providers.

The ECLO program currently operates in the following courts:

• Parramatta Children’s Court
• Surry Hills Children’s Court
• Port Kembla / Nowra Children’s Court Circuit
• Broadmeadow / Singleton / Raymond Terrace Children’s Court Circuit
• Campbelltown Children’s Court

What does an Education Court Liason Officer (ECLO) do?

The ECLO speaks with the young person, their family or support worker to work on a plan for the young person. Once a plan is identified they work to secure enrolment in an appropriate educational pathway. A personalised approach is taken and will vary depending on both the young person’s circumstances and the response of contacted education providers.

The general process of the ECLO and their key activities are: