Engagement Support Services (ESO)
The Engagement Support Officer (ESO) program is designed to support children and young people who are struggling with moderate to severe behaviour challenges and who may be, or are currently at risk to themselves or others.
ESOs are trained in working with this cohort of students to engage and support individual children within the classroom and school yard settings.
The role of ESOs is to support the schools’ behavioural intervention plan and to ensure the safety of the targeted child, other children and staff, in that sense, the ESOs can be considered as a part of a broader support plan for the child.
ESOs receive training is divided in to practical theory and physical training covering the following areas:
Introduction to ESO Program and DET policies on working with children with challenging behaviours
Working with the child and framework on children’s development
Causes and understanding of children’s behavioural difficulties
The escalation and de-escalation cycle
Legal parameters and responsibilities
Protective Practice
Physical Training including but not limited to:
Body Language and Positioning
Breathing techniques
Control of situations
Engagement Support Services - Placement Program (ESOP)
Overview of program:
TESSA Inc has been operating school support programs for over 10 years. These programs are designed to support school staff by offering ‘on the ground’ support to schools that are experiencing challenging behaviour from students. With its student placement support program, the aim is to support schools in their work with young people, while at the same time help train and develop the next generation of capable support staff in schools.
Collaboration with Tertiary Learning Providers
Using long standing relationships with several institutions, TESSA Inc facilitates training & experience for appropriate students who are currently studying courses such as Youth Work, Community Services, Social Work and Mental Health. Whilst managing individual placements and their requirements, TESSA Inc works with schools to implement physical placement to positive effect for both schools and the students.
TESSA Inc Training
As part of the program, TESSA Inc placement students will participate in TESSA Inc’s 3 day Managing Challenging Behaviour course, as well as engaging in further coaching and learning during their placement journey.
With our high level of experience running specialised training for schools across Victoria through its professional learning program, TESSA Inc is recognised in its expertise and ability to effectively train individuals in this area.
Program Outcomes
Development and facilitation of passionate and engaged staff supporting young people in schools
Assisting schools to increase skills and understandings of their own staff
Effective support in collaboration with schools, leading to improved behaviour outcomes
Employment opportunities for both schools and placement students
“Support the school support the child”
“The benefits of having an ESO in place for us have been:-
A greater sense of security for staff and students arising from much better containment of students with challenging behaviours.
Reduced incidents of physical attacks against other students from the students the aides work with as a result of close monitoring.
More positive social interactions between the student and his peers facilitated by the aides.
We are now starting to see signs of increased participation in classroom activities that will lead to improved learning outcomes for the student.
Reduced need for principal involvement in managing extreme behaviours.
Reduced stress levels for staff and principals with a greater sense of security.
While the use of an ESO cannot be expected to result in the total elimination of challenging behaviours from the more extreme students, the benefits have certainly been worthwhile in relation to the point listed above. The program has enabled the student involved to remain at school rather than having to cope with expulsion which was a very likely outcome had the ESO not been involved.
For us to date the Engagement Support Officer has been a very beneficial and worthwhile approach to managing what had become a very stressful and untenable situation.”
For more information about our Engagement Support Services, please contact Natalie Deacon by emailing deacon.n@tessainc.org.au