Carinity Gladstone: Helping Students Navigate Alternative Learning

Education can be difficult for many young people as they navigate school environments, personal struggles and environmental factors that put them at risk of dropping out altogether. Youth workers at Carinity’s Gladstone location are working hard to provide a supportive and unique learning experience for High Schoolers in Grades 7-12.

More than 170 students are supported at Carinity’s Special Assistance school, many of whom were disengaged from conventional school environments and were at high risk of dropping out. The support from youth workers at the school starts with a simple check-in at the classroom door - a small daily interaction that can be easy to miss, but for a young person, this can change the course of their day.

In Carinity Education Gladstone’s classrooms, youth workers work alongside teachers each day, providing guidance and encouragement. Senior Youth Worker, Megan O’Grady-Falahee, says no two days are the same.

“My day involves checking in, providing emotional and behavioural guidance, helping students regulate their emotions and re-engage with learning, and working alongside teachers to implement individual strategies,” Megan said.

“Building trust starts with being consistent and non-judgemental. I take the time to get to know the young people at their own pace and show them that I genuinely care about their wellbeing.”

Carinity Education operates throughout the state, with locations in Brisbane, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton and a separate Townsville location, Carinity Education Shalom for Indigenous students, offering alternative education to individuals. They provide flexible learning with small class sizes where staff and support workers are available to provide ready access to assistance.

The relationships formed between youth workers and the young people are often built gradually through small, everyday interactions.

“A moment that really stayed with me was when a student who was initially very withdrawn gradually began seeking help and attending more regularly,” Megan said.

“Toward the end of the year, they told me that having someone check in each day helped them feel like they belonged at school.”

Fellow youth worker Kelly Stewart said: “One of the most rewarding moments is when someone who was initially reluctant to engage begins opening up and seeking assistance.”

“Seeing them develop confidence and make positive changes reminds me that even small interactions can have a lasting impact.

“The small wins often mean the most: a student smiling after a difficult day, reaching a goal, or simply feeling comfortable enough to ask for help.”

Students get to experience exciting learning experiences, including a recent Leadership Camp at Maranatha Recreational Camp on the Sunshine Coast, woodwork and STEM opportunities, learning effective communication skills through equine-assisted life coaching initiatives, and opportunities to complete school-based apprenticeships.

For Senior Youth Worker Megan, the goal is not just helping students through difficult moments but giving them the confidence to navigate what comes next.