How does KidsMatter Primary work?
KidsMatter Primary provides a framework, professional learning, resources and support to schools to improve students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Under the KidsMatter Primary framework, schools adopt a step-by-step process which systematically guides planning and implementation in four key areas of focus important to children’s mental health (known as the four components). This approach enables schools to identify their specific needs in relation to the KidsMatter objectives, develop strategies that best address these, and review progress. The flexibility of the framework enables schools to build on the work they are already doing to address student mental health and wellbeing through national, state/territory and sector-based mental health initiatives and policies.
Each KidsMatter Primary school is provided with the resources to implement a comprehensive approach to student mental health and wellbeing, including support from personnel trained in KidsMatter, professional learning for all school staff, and information packs for staff and parents and carers on a range of mental health related topics.
- Learn more about the aims and framework of KidsMatter Primary
- Learn more about how KidsMatter Primary is implemented in schools
To learn more about the objectives of each Component, click on Component 1, Component 2, Component 3, Component 4.
How can schools access KidsMatter Primary?
Register your school’s interest in implementing KidsMatter. To keep in touch with KidsMatter Primary developments, please subscribe to our free eNewsletter (at the bottom of our homepage).
After a successful pilot evaluation, KidsMatter Primary has been rolling out to primary schools across Australia. Since the completion of the pilot in 2008 the expansion of KidsMatter Primary has taken place in partnership with education and health sectors and largely focused on a small number of geographical regions within each state and territory. KidsMatter Primary now has a great opportunity to support significantly more schools in working towards improving the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of their primary-aged students.
Under the “Taking Action to Tackle Suicide” Package the Australian Government will invest $274 million over four years from 2010-11 which includes funding for the expansion of KidsMatter Primary of $18.4 million. This funding will enable KidsMatter Primary to be expanded to a further 1700 primary schools by June 2014.
KidsMatter Primary will continue to support and look for ways to expand the very successful work that is happening to engage schools in partnership with education and health sectors, in clusters and regions. This approach ensures that the KidsMatter Primary framework has the best chance of being sustainable in individual schools and districts.
In addition, new pathways into KidsMatter Primary are being developed so that schools can more readily access the initiative. Schools currently participating in KidsMatter Primary, and the systems and sectors providing invaluable support, will continue to be supported by their state or territory KidsMatter Primary coordinator and will also be able to access the additional support and new resources.
In summary, KidsMatter Primary will continue to work with education and health sectors in each state and territory to support sustainable implementation of the initiative in schools, and establish new mechanisms so that individual schools also have direct access to the initiative. The following key ingredients for effective implementation will continue to guide this work:
- School leadership is committed to take a whole school approach to implementing the KidsMatter framework in a planned way
- A school action team is established, enabled and supported to lead and drive implementation
- Professional learning on the framework is provided for all staff and, where possible, community members.
Register your school’s interest in implementing KidsMatter.
Schools that are not yet engaged in formal implementation of KidsMatter Primary are able to access the free online resources.
