KidsMatter Primary Professional Development Events
A description of each event is available below.
- KidsMatter Primary Briefing
- Overview of KidsMatter Primary
- Getting started: Professional learning for Action Team Members (1 day)
- Implementation support and network meeting (1/2 day)
- Working with KidsMatter Primary: Professional learning for people working with KidsMatter schools (1/2 day)
- Facilitating Components
- Component 1: A positive school community
- Component 2: Social and emotional learning for students
- Component 3: Working with parents and carers
- Component 4: Helping students experiencing mental health difficulties(1 day for each component)
KidsMatter Primary Briefing
Target audience: School leaders and other interested school, education and health personnel.
This briefing provides information about KidsMatter and how it can support the work of school leaders, school, education and health personnel with a focus on the importance of gaining the support of the school staff and parent body. It provides all the information schools need to make a decision about participating in KidsMatter.
Overview of KidsMatter Primary
Target audience: Interested people, including School Action Teams, other interested school personnel, new staff in KidsMatter participating schools and interested education, health and community personnel.
The overview session assists in providing a deeper understanding of the KidsMatter Primary framework, its underpinning mental health concepts, the implementation process and the target areas within the four component areas. Participants will have the opportunity to explore what it can mean for their role working in or with a school.
Getting started: Professional learning for Action Team Members (1 day)
Target audience: Staff within primary schools who are taking a lead role in the implementation of KidsMatter within their school (known as the Action Team).
This session provides information about the content of KidsMatter, its underpinning mental health concepts and processes and tools for aiding implementation of KidsMatter while supporting school priorities and strategic planning. Schools receive all the resources to begin the KidsMatter journey.
Implementation support and network meeting (1/2 day)
Target audience: Action Team members from different schools and education, health and community agency personnel working with KidsMatter schools:
These workshops provide an opportunity for sharing of experiences in implementing KidsMatter. In addition to building networks and collegial support, these workshops also provide additional professional learning and support from KidsMatter staff to enhance the implementation process.
Working with KidsMatter Primary: Professional learning for people working with KidsMatter schools (1/2 day)
Target audience: Education, health and community agency personnel who are working with KidsMatter participating schools:
These sessions are designed for education, health and community agency personnel who are working with primary schools that are undertaking KidsMatter. The sessions highlight the capacity of external personnel to work with and support School Action Teams with the implementation of KidsMatter and addressing children’s mental health needs. Education, health and community personnel can act as a critical friend, assist schools to identify resources, supports and referral pathways, create networks and provide opportunities for sharing of experiences and perspectives.
Facilitating Components (1 day for each component)
Facilitating Component 1: A positive school community
Facilitating Component 2: Social and emotional learning for students
Facilitating Component 3: Working with parents and carers
Facilitating Component 4: Helping students experiencing mental health difficulties
Target audience: School or external education, health and community agency personnel who will deliver or support the delivery of the 3 – 4 hours of KidsMatter professional learning for each component in school to the school staff
Each day familiarises participants with the content of each of the four component areas and the whole school staff processes of the professional learning. It also prepares participants to effectively deliver the professional learning to schools. Deliverers will have experience in facilitating professional learning to adults within the primary school sector. It is highly recommended that School Action Teams work in partnership with appropriate parenting support and mental health professionals in the delivery of Components 3 and 4.
