Dunlea Centre - Australias Original Boystown

Aims: Behavioural Change and Educational Gain

Motto: ‘A place for change’

Dunlea Centre, Australia’s Original Boys’ Town, is an independent (Catholic) specialised co-educational secondary school and residential service for at risk young people with a focus on family engagement. The Centre is a registered and an accredited school endorsed by NESA, providing stages 4, 5 & 6 of the current NSW curriculum. The residential program provides a structured and balanced setting where there is an emphasis upon assisting young people establish healthy habits and routines. With the support and guidance of Boys’ Town Omaha USA, Dunlea Centre has incorporated the Teaching Family Model (TFM) across its programs. This is a heavily researched and highly successful social skills model of teaching. The emphasis is upon developing social skills, which can be utilised across all aspects of a young person’s life. Parents and carers are also encouraged to engage in the Common Sense Parenting training. This assists parents and carers to develop and hone their own parenting skills to improve relationships within the family home. A graduate of the program would normally require 12 to 18 months’ attendance. Additionally, a supported transition for a further 12 months is provided through the after-care program ‘The Way Forward.

Dunlea Centre also provides a day program – an alternative education program for students who attend during the day only.