Supporting teachers, parents and caregivers
When we enter a school or early education setting, our facilitators offer a workshop for teachers and parents, so they understand the program and its objectives, have an opportunity to ask questions, and feel equipped to support their children as they progress through the eight-week curriculum.
We aim to complement existing social-emotional supports being offered in schools. By working directly with students, the model reduces pressure on educators to deliver specialist content in an already crowded curriculum. By delivering in group settings, the program encourages students to build positive peer relationships and learn how to support the coping skills of one another and allows facilitators to identify those children who may benefit from further support, such as 1:1 counselling.
Having these services delivered by outside agencies allows children and teachers affected by disaster to be part of the experience and develop shared language around recovery and resilience, while supporting an overarching wellbeing framework.
Flexible delivery
Depending on the timetable of each school, Journey of Hope sessions can be provided once a week for eight consecutive weeks, twice a week for four consecutive weeks or otherwise by arrangement. Program facilitators are equipped to respond to a diverse range of coping levels to ensure those who struggle can learn from those coping better.
In this way, Journey of Hope is able to accommodate the educational and psychosocial needs of students returning to school after prolonged absences as a result of disasters and align with different school and community visions for local recovery.
To find out if Journey of Hope could be right for your school, please email journeyofhope@savethechildren.org.au
Images: Save the Children