A NESA Board Endorsed Alternative Education Program for Stage 5 Students

The Developing Skills for Education and Careers (DSEC) program is Nepean Community College’s flagship youth education pathway for young people aged 15–17 (Stage 5) who have disengaged from mainstream schooling or require an alternative, supportive learning environment. DSEC is formally endorsed by NESA as a Board Endorsed Alternative Education Program, providing a legitimate education pathway for students who have been exempted from enrolment in mainstream schooling.

In 2026, DSEC also became the first Community College program in Australia endorsed by the NeuroDiversity Academy, recognising our trauma‑aware, neuro‑affirming, sensory‑safe and strengths‑based approach to youth education.

Who the Program Is For

DSEC is designed for young people who:

• Are aged 15–17 and in Stage 5
• Have been exempted from enrolment in mainstream schooling
• Experience barriers such as neurodivergence, disability, trauma, disrupted schooling, anxiety, school‑avoidance, or socio‑economic disadvantage
• Need a safe, predictable, supportive learning environment
• Benefit from flexible pacing, individualised support and strengths‑based teaching

Students must be formally referred and approved for exemption by their Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO) or school principal.

Understanding the Difference: BEAEP vs BEC

DSEC is a NESA Board Endorsed Alternative Education Program (BEAEP), not a standard Board Endorsed Course (BEC). While BECs are curriculum‑based courses that contribute directly to a student’s Record of School Achievement (RoSA), BEAEPs are designed for students exempted from mainstream schooling and focus on re‑engagement, wellbeing and foundational capabilities. Participation in a NESA‑approved BEAEP can count toward meeting Year 10 requirements for a RoSA, but a BEAEP is not itself a RoSA. DSEC’s BEAEP endorsement confirms it meets NESA’s standards for quality, safety and educational integrity, within a trauma‑aware, neuro‑affirming program for young people who cannot thrive in traditional school settings

How to Apply

Students and families can begin the process by contacting:

• Their Home School Liaison Officer (HSLO)
• Their high school principal
• Or by contacting Nepean Community College directly for guidance

All enrolments require confirmation of exemption from enrolment in mainstream schooling.

What the Course Entails

DSEC offers a flexible, multi‑modal learning program that supports young people to rebuild confidence, capability and connection. The course includes:

• Foundation Skills (LLND) – reading, writing, numeracy, communication
• Digital Literacy – practical technology skills for study, work and life
• Employability Skills – resumes, job readiness, workplace expectations
• Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence – self‑awareness, coping skills, confidence building
• Social Skills and Communication – teamwork, respectful interactions, building friendships
• Project‑Based Learning – youth‑led initiatives such as digital mentorship and the “Vending Venture” micro‑enterprise
• Individualised Support – 1:1 tutoring, strengths‑based progression, trauma‑aware teaching
• Pathway Planning – career exploration, goal setting, transitions to work or further study

Our classrooms are sensory‑safe, predictable and supportive, with routines designed to reduce anxiety and build trust.

Our Successes

DSEC has supported 30–60 young people annually, across 2–3 cohorts every six months, with exceptional outcomes:

Referral Trust

• 87.7% of referrals come directly from schools
• 4.4% from caseworkers
• 7.9% from support agencies More than 100 school referrals each year demonstrate strong sector confidence in DSEC.

Attendance Improvements

Many students enter with school‑refusal or severe anxiety. In DSEC, students regularly achieve 80%+ attendance, with some striving for 100% and communicating proactively when absent, sometimes offering to return to the program to act as mentors for new students.

Wellbeing Improvements

Students report:

• Reduced self‑harm
• Improved mental health
• Increased confidence and motivation
• Stronger emotional intelligence
• Feeling understood, supported and safe
• Building friendships for the first time
• Many describe NCC as their “safe space”.

LLND Growth

Students with dyslexia, learning gaps or disrupted schooling make significant progress through:

• 1:1 tutoring
• Trauma‑aware teaching
• Strengths‑based progression
• Personal goal setting (e.g., daily journaling to improve writing)

Transitions and Outcomes

• 7 students into employment
• 7 into traineeships/apprenticeships
• 31 into further education
• 3 returned successfully to mainstream schooling
• 90%+ completion rates across every cohort

These outcomes demonstrate an average success rate of each six month program showing the program’s effectiveness in rebuilding pathways for young people who were previously disengaged or unsupported.

Why DSEC Works

DSEC succeeds because it is:

• Trauma‑aware
• Neuro‑affirming
• Flexible and strengths‑based
• Youth‑led and youth‑responsive
• Safe, predictable and supportive
• Deeply connected to local schools, youth services and families

We meet young people where they are, and help them move forward with confidence, capability and hope.

Contact Us

To learn more about DSEC or discuss eligibility, please contact Nepean Community College. We are here to support young people who need a different kind of learning environment—one that understands them, values them and helps them thrive.