a guide for - Dunlea Centre

A BRIEF HISTORY OF DUNLEA CENTRE - Australia’s Original Boys’ Town
Fr Thomas Dunlea (1894 -1970) founded the original Boys’ Town at
Engadine in 1939. His source of inspiration was the movie about Fr
Edward Flanagan (1886 -1948), the founder of the original Boys’ Town in
1917 at Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
A GUIDE FOR
Both Fr Flanagan and Fr Dunlea drew inspiration from St John Bosco (1815
-1888), whose work with disadvantaged youth began in Turin, Italy, but
has since spread worldwide. St John Bosco is the Founder of the Salesian
Society of Priests and Brothers who, since 1952, have been responsible for
the work at Boys’ Town.
FAMILIES
Boys’ Town underwent many changes over time, as it continued to
respond to changes in society and the emerging needs of youth and
families. In 2010 Boys’ Town evolved into the DUNLEA CENTRE to
accommodate the growing services that are available to both boys and
girls and their families who are at risk of family breakdown, but who want
to restore their relationships.
For enquiries of more information contact us at the below:
Dunlea Centre –Australia’s Original Boys’ Town
35A Waratah Road
ENGADINE NSW 2233
PHONE: 02 8508 3900 FAX: 02 8508 3920
E-mail: [email protected]
You can also visit our website: www.boystown.net.au
Auspiced by the Salesians of Don Bosco, Trustees of Boys’ Town Engadine
FAMILY
PRESERVATION
PROGRAM
CAN DUNLEA CENTRE HELP? - Dunlea Centre can help if there is conflict at
home, if there are worries about safety and welfare, if there are concerns
regarding schooling, or if your family is at risk of separating. Family preservation is
Dunlea Centre’s primary goal, working with your family towards improving
relationships within the family unit.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS - The program lasts between 6-12 months
depending on individual needs, with the end goal being an improvement in family
life, and your child's transition back into mainstream schooling or another
appropriate setting. This is achieved by working with the whole family using family
therapy, which includes counselling sessions on a weekly basis for your child, and
fortnightly counselling sessions at Dunlea Centre for you.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM - Although Dunlea Centre is an accredited school, we
teach standard subjects in a more creative, hands on manner than in mainstream
schooling. Students at Dunlea Centre have often had trouble fitting into the
conventional, mainstream schooling system, and often find our more personal
teaching structure relevant and involving. The classes are taught in an atmosphere
of mutual respect between teacher and child, with the goal of achieving the
outcomes required. In addition we also provide valuable life skills experiences, as
well as camps, sporting activities, self esteem, anger management, cooking and
personal hygiene. Because the program is Residential, your child is required to live
at Dunlea Centre during the week, going home for weekends, public holidays and
school holidays.
STAFF AT DUNLEA CENTRE - There are three independent living and learning
units for boys, and one unit for girls, each catering for the needs of a maximum of 8
children. Each Unit is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals, consisting
of 1 Family Services Worker, 1 Life Skills/Social Educator, 1 Teacher and 2
Residential Care Workers, who work intensively with each child and their family
under the supervision of a Team Manager. Your child will be fully supervised 24
hours a day.
THE ENROLMENT PROCESS
Step 1 - When you call, our Administration staff will take your details, check that
your child fits the criteria, explain the program and invite you and your child along
to a Family Talk. This talk is not an individual interview, but is a group presentation
for all the families who have called since the last meeting held. The talk only
happens twice a Term, usually school weeks 3 and 7 and is an informal
introduction to Dunlea Centre, and a chance for your child to see if they would be
interested in attending.
At the talk, one of our Senior Staff members will:

Explain how the Dunlea Centre program works, show a presentation of life
at Dunlea Centre, outline the day’s schedule and what would be expected
from your child.

Conduct a tour of one of the Units where your child can see the classroom,
and the residential area where they would be living.

Offer the child an application pack to take away if they decide they would
like to participate in the Dunlea Centre program. Applications will only be
given if it is the child’s choice.
Step 3 - When the completed application pack has been returned to Dunlea
Centre, you will be contacted to come in for a Family Assessment Meeting. At this
meeting we will discuss with you whether the program is suitable for your family,
and ensure that your child is willing and happy to join the program.
Step 4 - If your child is accepted into the program, you will be asked to attend a
Director’s Meeting, where your child’s enrolment and start date will be finalised.
Once the meeting is finished, your family will then meet the staff that will be
working with you and your child, and be shown the classroom and the residential
living area of the unit.
WHO IS ELEGIBLE TO ATTEND DUNLEA CENTRE? - The Residential program
is aimed at children and families who meet the following eligibility criteria:

Your child must be in Years 7 to 10 for schooling. Year 10 students will only be
accepted if the enquiry is made at the beginning of Term 1 of that year.

You must reside in the Sydney Metropolitan area or Illawarra Region.

Your child must be living in a family setting.

Your family must voluntarily accept need for assistance with problems and
commit to regular counselling sessions.

Both your child and yourself are seeking support in family preservation, often
involving help with behaviour management, conduct, parenting skills and other
relationship issues.
NOTE - As Dunlea Centre is a voluntary program, the whole family
must be willing to participate in the program as well as the child.
There is a zero tolerance policy on violence, bullying or aggression.