A collaborative approach

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay my respects to Elders past, present and future, for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

Contact details Jo Cole National Project Manager, KidsMatter Australian Psychological Society

What is KidsMatter? National mental health and wellbeing initiative For children in primary schools and EC services Funded by the Australian Government Shares objectives with Family and Relationship Support Services: o Supporting and nurturing children and families o Creating more resilient children, families and communities Involves mental health (APS and beyondblue), education (PAI) and early childhood (ECA) sectors working together

A collaborative approach to improving outcomes for children and families KidsMatter provides: a framework that can assist when building effective working relationships with education support for schools and early childhood (EC) services to make more appropriate referrals and to better engage with local services a way to work with schools and EC services to support children with mental health issues education settings provide a hub for connection with families and the community

Aims of KidsMatter

KidsMatter Framework Components

Risk and protective factors (Adapted from Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, 2000; Spence, 1996)

How does it work? A core team of staff plans and leads the implementation of KidsMatter in their school/EC service Online professional learning is provided for implementing each of the four components Schools/EC services develop an action plan for each component, implement agreed actions, and review outcomes KidsMatter provides resources for families on children’s mental health KidsMatter provides briefings relevant to health and community agencies

Does it work? The KidsMatter pilot evaluations showed: o improvements to child mental health and wellbeing o reductions in child mental health difficulties (including behaviour problems) o increased staff capacity o stronger parental engagement Further research links high quality implementation of KidsMatter Primary with improved NAPLAN scores

Wellbeing for Children, Families & Communities: Future Policy, Programs & Practice Promotion, prevention and early intervention

Not a school or early childhood service? Resources about children’s mental health developed for educators families professionals Useful for: therapy, promotion and prevention, staff training, supporting a shared understanding between sectors/professionals A framework and shared language for working with schools and EC services

Health/community and education partnerships The best outcomes for children are when schools and EC services work together with families and health and community agencies KidsMatter aims to facilitate strong partnerships for children’s mental health KidsMatter and Family and Relationship Support Services are great potential partners!

Agencies partnering with KidsMatter say... KidsMatter schools and EC services have: Identified mental health and wellbeing as a priority Have foundational knowledge and understanding about mental health and wellbeing A commitment to engaging with families and the community Expertise in identifying children and families who need support An interest in helping families find and access appropriate support and services – including by bringing services into the school/EC community

Why work with schools and EC services? By working closely together, ECEC services, schools, psychologists can: speak the same language increase support for EC services or schools clarify referral pathways for children and families assist EC services and schools to make more appropriate referrals and better engage with health and community services increase access for children and families to services increase awareness for EC services, schools and families about available support and services offered by particular organisations

You and KidsMatter implementation You can support schools and EC services to systemically address children’s mental health by: Providing information about your organisation, programs and services Assisting in the delivery of KidsMatter Professional Learning Supporting EC services and schools to develop their referral policies and procedures Delivering intervention at the service or school e.g. parenting groups, information sessions Providing specialist knowledge or advice about mental health, managing change, strategic planning and working with diverse cultures Becoming a member of the KidsMatter Action Team (primary schools) and/or Leadership Team (EC services) to assist the implementation process Assisting the Leadership or Action Team to develop comprehensive plans for supporting children’s mental health Offering consultation or playing a critical friend role to support the implementation process

Knowing what’s there KidsMatterforfamilies KidsMatterEC KidsMatterPrimary A website just for you KidsMatter enews Social media

Useful directories

Partnership tools

Topics we cover

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing Series of 12 videos: Cultural identity: Nana’s Painting, My Grandfather, The Artist, Window Shopping Adults taking care of themselves: Digby, The Spirit, Run, The Walk of Life Resilience: Thank You, Snap Shots, Job Interview, My Father’s Words

Connecting with families

Next steps For numbers by LGA and Medicare Local region kidsmatter/kidsmatter-my-area You can explore state and territory pages to see how KidsMatter is rolling out in your area – click on the map

Partnerships We want to hear from you about: partnerships with KidsMatter schools and EC services in your region – we can help facilitate Good partnership models we can document and promote Access the KidsMatter resources at

How to stay connected Keep yourself and partners linked in with KidsMatter by: Enewsletter for health and community professionals and for families Features new research, interviews with leading practitioners, and useful links to resources Sign up at menu/enewsletter Social media: Find KidsMatter on Facebook and Twitter: Share with us: Stories/examples for website, enews, social media

Contact details Jo Cole National Project Manager, KidsMatter Australian Psychological Society

Questions?