Parents and members of the community are to assist in the re-shaping of an alternative school programme that helps children with behavioural problems -- with the aim of launching it in September.

Education Minister Senator Milton Scott put the Centre for Adolescent Development, Education and Training (CADET) under review last summer in a bid to find how successful it was.

The programme offered support for students aged between 13 and 16 who have anti-social tendencies and behavioural problems.

Students benefit from individual and small group counselling to help them deal with their problems, while academically they work to stay as close to their peers in mainstream schools as possible.

But last September the programme had to leave its base at Warwick Camp because the Bermuda Regiment needed the facility back for its own use.

At the same time, Sen. Scott launched a review of the scheme to see how well it was meeting its objectives and to look for ways to enhance its provision.

Last night, he said parents, teachers and other members of the community were being brought on board to consider issues such as the admission criteria, staff training and best practices.

A committee, chaired by Julie Dunstan, a consultant for the National Drug Commission, undertook the initial review.

They visited the site, inspected documentation and interviewed key stakeholders, including the students themselves.

And the panel found there was still scope for a number of improvements.

An Education spokeswoman said: "There was not enough collaboration and communication between CADET, educators and the community. Consequently, a key outcome of the review has been the decision to include the community in the restructuring process.

"Parent, education and other community member representatives will be included in the committees.'' The restructuring committees will also be looking for new facilities for the programme, which has been temporarily located in Devon Lane. It is hoped that the new programme will be relocated to a new facility by the start of the next academic year.

Sen. Scott said: "As is Government policy, we are reviewing all programmes and looking for ways to improve and streamline the service that we provide.

"This review has taken a thorough look at CADET and, as a result, we hope to help more students more effectively in the future.

"I am also pleased that the restructuring process will involve parents and the community - with their contributions and support, we will be able to design a programme that best addresses the needs of our community.'' Gail Graham, Principal of Whitney Institute Middle School in Smith's, welcomed the announcement that parents and the community were going to be more involved.

And she praised the objectives of the scheme, saying it played a vital role in education in Bermuda.

She said: "I very much welcome the fact that Government is restructuring the programme and planning to get it up and running again properly very soon.

"I don't know of any education system, no matter how large or small, that can operate without some form of alternative placement for children who do not operate well in a school environment.

"This programme is desperately needed in Bermuda. In any school population, you are going to get one or two who are anti-social or unable to function in a larger system.

"A programme like this allows for them to get the support and help they need to resolve their problems or difficulties, and then assists them in returning to mainstream school as soon as they are able.

"It is vital that this service is provided, so some of these problems can be corrected. Suspending a child does not always correct behaviour.

"I think the community and parental input will be valuable. We really can't afford to throw away any of our children. They must all be catered for.'' Milton Scott