THE POWER OF ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING

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The future of Australia’s children

The importance of positive human relationships cannot be overstated. They are the building blocks for healthy development. Yet many Australian children lack significant one-to-one relationships with caring adults other than their parents.

In schools, an increasing amount of teaching time is being used to address the welfare issues of these children. When emotional pressures weigh them down, children can experience difficulty in learning.

Teachers see what the research has shown – that early intervention in these children’s lives will significantly improve their life chances in education, health, social competence and wellbeing. Research strongly affirms the positive impact of mentoring on young lives and recommends that schools explore opportunities to establish mentoring programs.1

“Teachers find it difficult to give time and individual attention to the children who need it most. The mentors have made such a difference in the children’s lives.” – Kate Perkins, Principal

Changing lives through one-to-one mentoring

KIDS HOPE AUS. is a World Vision mentoring program aimed at developing emotional and social resilience in children, thereby enhancing their capacity to learn.

The model is built on a long-term partnership between a local government primary school and a local church. Carefully screened and trained mentors from the partner church meet the children for one hour per week at the school. The results can change lives.

One child – a primary school student who needs the additional support of a consistent relationship with a caring adult

One hour – 60 minutes of quality time that will transform the life of the child and mentor

One church – a local church

One school – a local government primary school

1 Jekeliek et al 2002, Mentoring Research Project, McAllum and Beltman 1999

“We cannot waste our precious children. Not another one. Not another day.”

– Nelson Mandela

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Stories from mentors

“I visit my little girl, aged 10, for one hour each week. I look forward to our meeting time and the beautiful smile I receive each time I go to collect her from her classroom.

She is so keen to learn and join in the activities we enjoy doing together. She is very task‑focused and loves reading, colouring, English activities, homework and maths activities (although she tells me she doesn’t like maths). She loves to play Scrabble and is very good at it!

A couple of weeks ago, I asked her what had been special for her that week. She answered by saying, “Seeing you”. I was very humbled by this response as she has so many personal issues that she has had to cope with and for her to acknowledge me being special in her life really makes me realise what a difference we make in children’s lives.” – Mentor

“As my young girl moved to another school, I am now a mentor and special friend to a Prep Grade girl. She is fairly shy and has trouble with communication. I really do enjoy being with her, encouraging her as we play cards and making things together. It was a joy to read a report from her teacher saying that she is interacting more with others and has more confidence since starting the KIDS HOPE mentoring program. It’s great to think that our one hour a week can make such an impact on her.” – Mentor

One hour makes all the difference!

KIDS HOPE AUS. mentors spend one hour per week at the school with a child referred by the teacher. The hour is typically divided into six parts to address the social, emotional and academic needs of the child.

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it means for the school

For many schools the barriers to implementing a mentoring program are the time and costs required to coordinate and administer a successful program. The KIDS HOPE AUS. program overcomes these barriers by resourcing and training a local church to implement and manage a quality mentoring program at no cost to the school.

“The KIDS HOPE AUS. program is organised for you. You think it’s going to be a disruption, but it’s not, because there’s an organised coordinator and reliable, trustworthy mentors who are genuinely interested in the kids.” – Mrs Bohaz, Teacher

The school’s role is to:

• appoint a school liaison person to work with the KIDS HOPE AUS. coordinator in matching students with mentors;

• in consultation with class or other teachers, identify children who need additional support in their emotional and social development and complete referral forms for these children;

• communicate the mentoring opportunity to the parents/guardians of identified children;

• obtain written permission for children to be included in the program (Parent Consent Form);

• facilitate one hour of focused mentoring time between the mentor and student within an agreed working space, in line of sight of school personnel;

• meet ATO requirements for tax deductibility – referred students should be from families experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.

The teacher’s role is to:

• provide activities and materials for any academic work to be completed in the mentoring hour;

• ensure that access to the hourly session with the child’s mentor is not denied as a disciplinary measure;

• review a weekly progress report and respond as necessary. These forms are designed to keep the teacher and coordinator informed and allow mentors to express any concerns;

• give feedback to mentors about the children’s progress and complete the annual evaluation form.

The mentor’s effectiveness will be enhanced as teachers share expectations, problems and suggestions. Mentors will find hints, ideas and tools helpful and rewarding.

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What it means for the church

Churches form a partnership with World Vision’s KIDS HOPE AUS. program with the intention of enhancing the lives of children and building relationships with their local communities.

World Vision provides training, resources and ongoing support for all KIDS HOPE AUS. coordinators as they manage the program in their churches and schools. KIDS HOPE AUS. will provide churches with the resources to recruit, screen, train, match, monitor and evaluate their mentors for ongoing mentoring relationships with children needing additional support.

The church’s role is to:

• obtain church leaders’ approval to implement KIDS HOPE AUS. in a local school;

• respect the secular nature of education;

• appoint a part-time coordinator to lead the program. The coordinator is trained by World Vision to develop the program, recruit, screen, match and supervise mentors;

• assume financial responsibility for the program – training, annual fees, modest program budget;

• evaluate the program annually and share this information with the KIDS HOPE AUS. National Office;

• sign the Church Affiliation Agreement with World Vision Australia;

• carefully screen and train mentors to understand their role in building caring relationships with children that will enhance their ability to learn and build resilience;

• select mentors who can commit to the program for at least one year.

“This is a great opportunity to put something back in the community. As adults we have experience and can encourage the children; it’s great to see the changes both academically and socially.” – Terry Holland, Mentor

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Getting your school involved in KIDS HOPE AUS.

• Speak to the KIDS HOPE AUS. team at World Vision who will help to identify a potential partner church for your school.

• Arrange a staff presentation by the KIDS HOPE AUS. coordinator from your partner church.

• Identify children who could benefit from the program.

• Make contact with the parents to discuss the mentoring opportunity with them. The KIDS HOPE AUS. School Brochure can be downloaded and given to them. An information session could be held and the KIDS HOPE AUS. promotional DVD shown to parents.

• Invite parents to sign the Parent Consent Form (on school letterhead).

• Assign a staff member as the school liaison person to work with the coordinator in matching children with mentors and monitoring progress.

• Conduct a school orientation session for mentors prior to the commencement of the program.

Getting your church involved in KIDS HOPE AUS.

• Contact the KIDS HOPE AUS. National Office to obtain a KIDS HOPE AUS. DVD.

• Present the program to your church leadership.

• Consider whether KIDS HOPE is aligned with your church’s mission and values.

• Your church governing board signs the Church Affiliation Agreement provided by the KIDS HOPE AUS. National Office.

• Your church appoints a coordinator to be trained by World Vision to oversee the program.

• World Vision trains the coordinator to develop the program in the church and chosen school.

• World Vision supports and provides resources for your coordinator to recruit, screen and train mentors according to the KIDS HOPE AUS. program guidelines.

• Your church begins its own mentoring program in the local school.

“KIDS HOPE AUS. has been a wonderful way for local church people to connect with their school communities. It is such a powerful engagement when churches and schools work together for the sake of the children. The feedback from pastors and principals has been overwhelmingly positive and there is clear evidence that KIDS HOPE AUS. works. Young lives are being transformed!” – Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision Australia

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Feedback from children

“I like it when Louise comes because she is kind and friendly. We play footy and basketball and we get to draw and colour in a special book all about me. She helps me with my schoolwork.” – Roger

“Davis is always fun to be with. We play lots of games like Jenga and Dominoes and Battleship. I love working in the books together and the train game. He helps me get my work done.” – Stephan

“It’s fun when Rachael comes because we read lots of books, play basketball and do activities. Once we made a lantern.” – Jaida

Frequently asked questions

Where do the child and mentor meet?

The mentor and child meet in an observable space identified by the teacher.

How are mentors screened?

Mentors must meet their State requirements for working with children. They also complete a comprehensive application booklet, attend an interview and must provide two referees as well as have their church leadership’s approval.

How are mentors trained?

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

How much extra work is there for the classroom teacher?

Teachers provide materials for any academic work to be completed. This may be the same material as the child’s class is working on; reading, spelling, projects or homework.

What happens at the end of the mentoring relationship?

Mentors are trained in closure techniques for when the mentoring relationship is scheduled to end.

Is KIDS HOPE AUS. a religious program?

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

© 2012 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 # 6769

The KIDS HOPE AUS. team at World Vision is committed to providing professional training and resources to support all partnerships between churches and schools.

For more information, please contact the KIDS HOPE AUS. National Office on 03 9287 2761 or 03 9287 2606.