Banyule Nillumbik LLEN is a not for profit community organisation whose core objective is to improve participation, engagement, attainment and transition outcomes for young people 10-19 years old with a particular focus on those young people who are at risk of disengaging or who have already disengaged from education and training and are no in meaningful employment.

The Purpose of the LLEN is to achieve this objective through the development and facilitation of quality partnerships.  Partnerships will be created which recognise the local situation, build on current practice and develop a sustainable and strategic approach which involves the whole community to support young people's learning and development. The Banyule Nillumbik LLEN covers the local government areas of Banyule and Nillumbik which includes 23 secondary schools across the two local government areas.

LLENs broker sustainable mutually beneficial partnerships between four stakeholder groups: schools, education providers, business, community groups and parents and families that improve education and transition outcomes for young people. More specifically:

•  Education providers partner with stakeholders to ensure young people participate in challenging, relevant and engaging learning that makes the curriculum more meaningful and broadens personal aspirations

•  Business and industry participate in sustainable partnerships that develop the skills and knowledge of the future workforce maximising relationships with industries affected by local skills shortages

•  Parents and families participate in partnerships that provide an informed and supportive environment for all young people to enable life long learning and career and pathway planning

•  Community groups engaging with key stakeholders in partnerships that harness resources and build social capital resulting in a coordinated, strategic, whole-of-community approach to supporting young people

The LLEN Board has up to 20 members from 10 different categories which link to the four stakeholder groups. One of the categories is employers and there are currently two employer representatives on the Board with an opening for a third. The Board membership provides a wide range of perspectives, expertise and experience related to young people. Board members hence have the means of providing quality advice to the government on policy, providing strategic direction to the EO and the means to influence positively the futures of local youth.

The Board and the Executive Officer are directly responsible to the Chair. The operational activities of the BNLLEN and the working parties are the responsibility of the EO who is responsible to the Chair.

The Board meets monthly for an early morning breakfast meeting at the Diamond Valley Learning Centre and a list of meeting dates with times is attached. It is also expected that each Board member is a member of one of the two Standing Committees and they meet as required usually about three times during the year. Other expectations of Board members are to continue the work they already do in partnership with the BNLLEN in supporting local young people.