Jaime de Loma-Osorio Ricon is a long-time advocate for equity and inclusion in education and community work. As Deputy CEO of Banksia Gardens Community Services and Director of the Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement, Jaime has helped shape one of Victoria's most respected models of school–community partnership. With over 20 years of experience in Broadmeadows, Jaime brings both deep local knowledge and a bold systems-thinking lens to the work of supporting vulnerable young people.
In this episode, Megan and Jaime explore the powerful model behind Project REAL, a flexible, trauma-informed program supporting students who are disengaged or excluded from school. Jaime shares how his team works across 16 partner schools to build capacity, offer coaching and mentoring, and implement a responsive, evidence-based framework called Building Blocks for Engagement. They unpack the difference between supporting behaviour through skill, not will, and explore both the power and complexity of applying radical inclusion in practice, especially in under-resourced settings. Jaime also reflects on how zero-tolerance policies, exclusionary practices, and binary thinking continue to harm our most vulnerable young people.
This conversation invites us to think differently about education, accountability, and care. Jaime's work challenges the assumption that compassion and high expectations can't coexist, and reminds us that real change comes through relationships, context, and deep respect for community. Whether you work in education, community work, youth services, or policy, this episode is for you.
You can find out more about the Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement here.
Host: Megan Corcoran, Wagtail Institute
Wagtail Institute empowers schools and complex settings to become trauma-informed wellbeing communities of practice where everyone can thrive. We work alongside leaders, educators, and practitioners to respond to wellbeing challenges, enhance trauma-informed practice, and navigate pathways to healing. If you would like to work with Megan, head to our website or send an email: [email protected]
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Music by Kabbilistic Village https://kabbalisticvillage.com/