Background
Young people with cancer have identified ongoing participation in school/university and employment as being a high priority. However many experience lower academic performance; absenteeism; peer isolation; higher unemployment and increased discrimination in the work place as a result of their diagnosis and treatment. This often results in disengagement and uncertainty about future vocational options and pathways. The provision of alternative learning programs is therefore essential to ensure the achievement of peer matched education and vocational attainment, foster a sense of self-identity and promote quality of life for young people both during treatment and beyond.
SPLICE - succeed, participate, learn, imagine, create, empower
SPLICE is an art based learning program offered by ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service for young people across Victoria who are at risk of disengagement from education and vocation. It provides skills training and promotes future vocation planning including transition to higher education.
It aims to:
Re-engage young people in learning communities
Develop new skills and interests
Establish education/vocation pathways
Prepare for tertiary education
Foster vocational identity
Build confidence and peer relationships
Program Overview
This program, the first of its kind in Australia, was established in 2011 and is facilitated in partnership between ONTrac at Peter Mac and the Centre for Adult Education (CAE). This poster will present an overview of the course development, its flexible structure implementation and evaluation to date.