ONE CHILD • ONE HOUR • ONE CHURCH • ONE SCHOOL

KIDS HOPE AUS. Parent Information

KIDS HOPE AUS. is Australia’s largest and fastest growing mentoring program. Since 2004, thousands of children have been matched with mentors in government primary schools.

Initiated, resourced and supported by World Vision Australia, KIDS HOPE AUS. has proven that caring relationships with mentors have significant impacts on children because they help to meet their emotional and social development needs. Mentored children show increased self-esteem, confidence and

resilience. Many teachers would like all their students to have a mentor!

Making a difference at an early age

By enriching children’s early life experiences, we can make a significant

impact on their future health and wellbeing. KIDS HOPE AUS. is one of few primary school-based mentoring

programs. The model is built on long-term partnerships between local churches and primary schools, where a caring adult from the church spends one hour each week with a child. The results can change lives. Mentors are carefully security checked and must complete a World Vision KIDS HOPE AUS. training program.

KIDS HOPE AUS. mentors spend one hour a week to invest in your child and their future. Photo: Ilana Rose/World Vision

Frequently asked questions

1. Where do the mentor and child meet?

The mentor meets one-to-one with the child in an observable place identified by the teacher or principal. The mentor does not work with the child in the classroom, but is assigned another space in view of school personnel.

2. How are mentors screened?

Mentors must undergo a national police check or Working with Children Check, fill out a comprehensive application booklet, attend an interview and provide two referees. They must also have the approval of the minister at their church.

3. How are the mentors trained?

World Vision Australia’s KIDS HOPE AUS. program provides comprehensive, compulsory training for all program coordinators and mentors. Training includes child protection policies and guidelines, understanding children’s needs, confidentiality, ages and stages in children’s development.

4. Will my child miss out on important class work?

Teachers provide resource materials for any academic work to be completed during the hour. This may be the same material that the rest of the class is working on, a project, reading or maths activities.

5. Does it mean there’s something wrong with my child if he or she is referred to the mentoring program?

No. Children can be referred for many reasons. Usually the decision to refer a child to KIDS HOPE AUS. is made by a group of teachers who feel the child will benefit from the program. Some schools have asked for a mentor for every child! Most parents are pleased to know that their children will have some additional support.

6. Is KIDS HOPE AUS. a religious program?

No. KIDS HOPE AUS. offers social, emotional and academic support to children referred to the program. Mentors strictly adhere to guidelines on respecting the secular nature of education. The mentoring hour is not used for any religious purposes.

7. What do the mentor and child do together?

Mentors and children plan their time together to include things like craft, educational games, cooking, sport, reading or academic work set by teachers.

8. Can I contact my child’s mentor?

You can contact your child’s mentor through the school. Most KIDS HOPE AUS. programs conduct

events at the school where parents can meet the mentors. You can also leave a message with the school office asking a mentor to contact you.

9. What contact does the mentor have with the child beyond the mentoring hour?

Some churches offer children’s and family activities or events for the local community. Parents of mentored children can choose to sign an Activity Release Form which permits their child or family to be invited to these group events. Children can only participate with written permission from their parents.

10. Is this program effective?

The KIDS HOPE AUS. program has been evaluated by Griffith University and World Vision Australia’s evaluation team. Evaluation results show that children who are mentored have a significant increase in self-esteem and confidence. These results mean that children are better adjusted socially and emotionally, which in turn, can positively impact their academic progress at school.

11. How can I be involved with the mentoring relationship?

Parents are encouraged to attend an orientation to the program, to fully understand how KIDS HOPE AUS. works. Parents are very welcome to contact the mentor at the school to give or ask for feedback. Parents are invited to attend special events for children and mentors. These are usually held at the school, but may sometimes be held at the partner church or another community venue.

12. Will my child be sure to get a mentor as soon as I give consent?

Mentors are carefully matched with children to ensure the best outcomes. Your child will be matched with a mentor as soon as an appropriate mentor is screened and trained. Sometimes there is a waiting list of children to be matched with mentors.

13. How do I tell my child they have been invited to take part in the KIDS HOPE AUS. mentoring program?

The opportunity to be included in the KIDS HOPE AUS. program should be communicated in a very positive manner. Schools often say they wish every child had a KIDS HOPE AUS. mentor! You can describe the program to your child as providing them with an adult friend who will play games and do fun activities with them and encourage them with everything they do at school.

© 2013 World Vision Australia. World Vision Australia ABN 28 004 778 081 is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Ref # 7161

Code of Conduct for mentors

Mentors MUST:

• Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with their position as a positive role model to children and as a representative of their church and KIDS HOPE AUS.

• Follow KIDS HOPE AUS. policy and guidelines around the safety of children as outlined in the Child Protection Policy.

• Treat all children with respect.

• Observe all guidelines as covered in the KIDS HOPE AUS. Mentor Training Manual.

• Focus on skills building and relationship building.

• Observe guidelines about out-of-school activities. Only when an optional Activity Release Form has been signed by the parent or guardian may a child be invited to group activities at the church. Any other individual contact that is not a church or school activity MUST ONLY be initiated by the parent.

• Raise all concerns, issues or problems with their KIDS HOPE AUS. Coordinator and teacher as soon as possible.

• Respect the secular nature of education. The mentoring hour is never used for religious purposes.

• Ensure that mentoring always takes place in an open, observable place in the school.

• Respect the privacy of the child and family by maintaining confidentiality.

Mentors MUST NOT:

• Engage in rough physical games.

• Touch children in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way.

• Make sexually suggestive comments to a child, even as a joke.

• Spend time alone with a child – another unrelated adult must always be present.

• Engage in actions outside the program activity.

• Share the child’s academic or personal information with others.

• Contact parents unless their KIDS HOPE AUS. Coordinator informs them that permission has been granted by the parent.

• Question a child on subjects they are reluctant to discuss or on topics they have been told not to share at school.

• Discuss students with others in social settings.

KIDS HOPE AUS. is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children in the program. We support the rights of the child and will act to ensure a child-safe environment is maintained at all times. We also support the rights and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure environment for all participants.

Please visit worldvision.com.au/kidshope

for more information.