VEYLDF Alignment
Item uses these practice principles: Reflective practice, Partnership with families, High expectations for every child, Respectful relationships and responsive engagement, Equity and diversity, Assessment for learning and development, Integrated teaching and learning approaches, Partnership with professionals.
Item responds to these sub-outcomes: Children become strong in their social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing.
Description
The KidsROAR Personal Safety and child abuse prevention programs provide tools and strategies that empower children to help reduce their vulnerability to abuse, neglect, and unsafe situations. Tailored programs can be delivered to children, parents/carers and families, and early childhood professionals. There are three program options available
KidsROAR Parents and Carers education session: 1 hour session, which includes:
- implementing Protective Behaviours in the home
- statistics on abuse
- information on offenders and the grooming process
- what their children will learn in a KidsROAR session
- recommended further reading
Professional development sessions for teachers/educators: Responding to Disclosures workshop for teachers and educators: 2-hour workshop which aims to ensure that people working at early childhood services feel informed and suitably equipped to respond appropriately in a situation where a child may disclose abuse. Topics covered include:
- Protective Behaviours education
- information on sex offenders and paedophiles
- stages of grooming
- sexual abuse
- consequences of child sexual abuse
- child sexualised behaviours – normal versus concerning workshop
- responding to disclosure workshop
Teacher and Educator professional development: 1-hour session in which participants will receive an overview of the KidsROAR program content and how continuous reinforcement of the Protective Behaviours Themes can reduce vulnerability to abuse. This session includes:
- Protective Behaviours education
- statistics on abuse
- information on offenders and grooming
- KidsROAR children’s session content
- how to overcome parent/carer resistance to teaching Protective Behaviours
KidsROAR Kindergarten program: 45 minute ‘Little Paws, Big ROARS’ program for children in which they learn to:
- know that we all have the right to feel safe at all times
- recognise safe and unsafe feelings
- identify and act upon early warning signs
- use correct anatomical names of the private parts of their bodies
- identify and deal with inappropriate or “unsafe” touches
- identify trusted adults they should “tell” if they are feeling worried or unsafe
It is strongly recommended that the ‘Little Paws, Big ROARS’ program is delivered in conjunction with at least one of the other education and professional development sessions offered by this provider.
Detailed Costs
KidsROAR Parents and Carers education session: $300 per session (including GST)
Responding to Disclosures workshop for teachers and educators: $750 per session (including GST). For more than 35 participants the program will include an additional presenter and charges may apply.
KidsROAR Teacher and Educator professional development: $300 per session (Including GST)
A resource pack for kindergarten services is included in the price. Additional travel and accommodation costs may apply for regional, rural and remote areas. Travel is charged at 0.80 cents per km, plus accommodation.
KidsROAR Kindergarten program (Little Paws, Big ROARS): $350 per session (including GST)
Implementation Considerations
Target population: children from three years and up, parents/carers and families, educators and other early childhood professionals.
Staffing: services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this resource.
Factors to consider: KidsROAR advises surrounding regional kindergartens, Early Leaning Centres and schools attend programs booked in their area to facilitate reduced travel and accommodation costs.
Australian experience: the program is available throughout Victoria, including regional areas.
Tools and systems: there are no IT or technical facilities required for the program for children. KidsROAR supplies AV/technical requirements for teacher, educator professional development programs and other adult education or parent programs.
Priority Area
Wellbeing (social and emotional)
Strength of Evidence
Level 3 - Promising research evidence