Implementation
- How KidsMatter Primary is implemented in schools
- Professional learning to support each Component
- Supporting resources
How KidsMatter Primary is implemented in schools
The role of the KidsMatter Primary Action Team in each school
Schools establish an Action Team to undertake the responsibility for coordinating and “driving” KidsMatter Primary. The Action team includes the school principal, and ideally
- a classroom teacher
- a parent representative
- a representative from the welfare/wellbeing team (e.g. the school psychologist/counsellor or student welfare coordinator) if the school has this person on site.
The school principal engages in leadership practices that help to ensure that KidsMatter Primary links with the school’s vision and policies. This also requires articulating the importance of mental health to learning and life, providing support to staff throughout the process, modeling the competencies to be taught, learned and utilised.
It is also important for the Action Team at each school to demonstrate their commitment through active engagement in planning and coordinating the implementation of KidsMatter Primary. They also support teachers’ central role in its delivery, and to recognise the importance of engaging families.
Action Teams attend a 1-day briefing session prior to commencing implementation of KidsMatter Primary, and are guided through the implementation process by an Implementation Support Person.
KidsMatter Primary Implementation Support Persons
With a sound understanding of the KidsMatter Primary initiative, KidsMatter Primary Implementation Support Persons provide ongoing support to KidsMatter Primary schools. They assist school-based Action Teams to plan and implement the four Components of KidsMatter Primary using a whole school approach, as well as review progress in accordance with the goals of the school.
State and Territory-based KidsMatter Coordinators
State and Territory KidsMatter Primary Coordinators have knowledge and experience in children’s mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention in educational settings as well as an extensive understanding of KidsMatter Primary. Coordinators work closely with and provide ongoing consultation to each school’s Implementation Support Person to enable them to, in turn, provide implementation support for schools.
Coordinators also support the establishment and operations of KidsMatter Primary Regional Leadership Groups who work to ensure local ownership and responsiveness to local issues and needs, as well as enhance school access to information, services and supports provided by relevant agencies in the local community.
7-step implementation process
KidsMatter Primary has also developed a step-by-step process that incorporates planning through problem solving and a built-in review process which guides schools through KidsMatter Primary implementation. The 7-step model is specifically designed to support schools in identifying, planning and carrying out actions to address the mental health needs of their students.
It comprises the following steps:
- Defining the issues by writing a summary statement to describe the schools current situation
- Setting goals based on each summary statement
- Identifying any concerns in achieving goals
- Developing a broad range of options/strategies to address concerns and achieve goals
- Evaluating feasibility of each option/strategy
- Formalising the Component Plan
- Implementing the Plan and review
Professional learning to support each Component
Schools implementing KidsMatter Primary are provided with professional learning to improve staff knowledge of mental health in each of the four Components of KidsMatter Primary.
Supporting resources
KidsMatter Primary has also developed a number of written resources to support schools in the implementation process. These include:
- Implementation Manual - available to schools implementing KidsMatter Primary
This resource details the Initiative, provides a rationale for each component and features a structured implementation process with step-by-step guidelines for schools to address each of the four components. The manual also provides specific tools for Action Teams to use when coordinating the implementation. - Programs Guide – now available online
This resource has been designed to complement the KidsMatter Primary Implementation Manual. The guide identifies and reviews school-based mental health programs that can be used to address each KidsMatter Primary Component. It also includes a detailed overview of each program. The Programs Guide aims to help schools decide which programs are most suitable for their needs and for those of their students. - Information resources for school staff, parents and carers – now available online
KidsMatter Primary has developed a range of resource packs for parents, carers, and school staff that contain detailed information on key topics that fit within each of the four KidsMatter Primary Components. Each resource pack also includes practical suggestions for supporting children’s mental health and development and provides links to further information and support services.
