Profiling the Oral Language and Psychosocial Skills of Young People Attending Flexible Learning Programmes

In Australia, approximately one-quarter of young people exit school without completing Year 12 (i.e., final year of secondary school) or an equivalent qualification. A similar proportion are not involved in training, post-secondary education, or employment at 24 years of age (Lamb et al., 2015). Poor school engagement is associated with adverse outcomes, including early school leaving (due to opting out voluntarily or through disciplinary procedures; Thomas & Dyment, 2019), poorer economic and life outcomes (Kennelly & Monrad, 2007; Tilleczek et al., 2011), and reduced subjective well-being (Wong et al., 2024). In comparison to peers who completed Year 12, early school leavers are also less likely to gain employment and/or receive lower wages (KPMG, 2009; Wilson & Tanner-Smith, 2013). They are also more likely to become involved in criminal justice systems (Kennelly & Monrad, 2007; KPMG, 2009).