Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enrol a Young Person in the Little Stars Learners program?
We accept applications from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, Foster Agencies and Residential Care Facilities.
Organisations may apply for a child to join the Little Stars Learners Program if the criteria for lodging an expression of interest are met.
Foster Carers can approach their CSO or Foster Agency to enquire as to whether funding might be available.
What age group is best suited to the Little Stars Learners Program?
Research shows that early intervention provides the best outcomes for education for children in care. Therefore, the focus of the Little Stars Learners Program is Prep to Grade 6. However, we also cater to children in high school.
The focus is to ensure that children are not left behind at an early stage. The further behind they are by Grade 3, the bigger the gap and that becomes harder to bridge as young people move through school. Our Program also provides academic educational support for high school students.
Are applications for the 2024 program still open?
Yes! Should you wish to apply for a position in the 2024 program, please complete an online application form or contact info@littlestarskids.org.au for further information. Applications must be submitted by Friday, 20th October, 2023.
How long is the program?
In order to deliver optimal outcomes, we recommend that children remain in the program for at least 12 months. While it is ideal that this coincides with the start of the academic year, the program can be started at any time.
How is the program funded?
Carers may be able to enrol a child in their care if they are able to access funding for the purposes of the program through a Complex Support Needs Allowance or by requesting that the CYJMA or their Foster Agency covers the costs of the program. Prior to completing an Application carers should approach their CSO or their agency to request funding approval.
Due to funding limitations, we were only able to offer a limited number of scholarships for 2024 and these have been allocated. Any questions please email info@littlestarskids.com.au.
What is a Little Stars Learners Scholarship?
Little Stars Kids is able to provide a limited number of Learning Scholarships to children who are unable to secure alternate funding.
Due to funding limitations, we were only able to offer limited scholarships for 2024 and these have been allocated. Any questions please email info@littlestarskids.org.au.
What session frequency is best for kids in primary school?
We provide one hour of face-to-face educational support a week, over a 12-month period for children in primary school. This consistency of support and encouragement over time will build confidence, engagement, self-esteem and deliver optimum outcomes for the children without overwhelming them.
Is Educational Support Mentoring available for high school students?
Yes. Our program is primarily targeted at primary school aged kids as we know that early intervention makes the biggest difference. However, we recognise that children in high school will also benefit from trauma informed educational support.
We recommend children in secondary school undertake a 1.5-hour tutoring session once per week in Grade 7-9, and a 2-hour session once per week in Grade 10-12.
Do Foster Carers, Foster Agencies and Case Service Officers receive regular progress reports?
Yes. Educational support mentors complete detailed session summaries each week. These summaries are emailed to the Foster Carer, Foster Agency contacts and the relevant Child Safety Officer at CYJMA.
How do Educational Support Mentors work with the child’s teachers?
We provide detailed information in weekly session summaries regarding the challenges children are experiencing with their learning, the work they are completing, areas for improvement, their ability to self-regulate and their confidence and engagement levels on a real time basis. These reports can be shared by the carer, CSO or foster agency with the young person’s teacher to improve educational outcomes.
Can the session summaries be shared with Psychologists and other therapists?
Our Education Support Mentors are trained to assist the children to improve and manage their emotional regulation skills. The weekly session summaries detail on a real time basis the progress children are making in this area. Psychologists and other therapists can be added to the email distribution list if appropriate, so they are automatically updated.
Will the child have the same Educational Support Mentor for each session?
We make every endeavour to ensure the child has the same Educational Support Mentor for the 12 month program.
How do you match Education Support Mentors and kids?
Once enrolled, we will ask questions and conduct assessments to identify the best Education Support Mentor for each child. We give consideration to the complex needs of the young person and any particular learning styles or challenges, to select the right mentor.
What happens if the young person and Educational Support Mentor don’t work well together?
We consistently review the progress of the young people who are engaged in the program and check in with carers to ensure there is a good match between the child and the Education Support Mentor. In the rare occasions this doesn’t work, we will rematch the child with another Education Support Mentor.
Do all Education Support Mentors hold valid and current Blue Cards?
Yes. All educational support mentors have completed the relevant Queensland checks and hold valid and current Blue Cards.
How are the Educational Support Mentors trained?
Our Educational Support Mentors are all experienced university students or graduates. Many of them have an educational background. All of our educational support mentors have a passion for working with children who have experienced trauma.
Education Support Mentors undergo comprehensive training. They learn about child protection, the impact of trauma on the cognitive, emotional, and social functioning of children and how to work with neurodivergent learners.
They receive regular updates on the theory and practical tips on working with children in trauma, plus they have the support of our psychologist if issues arise and they need guidance on how to work with a particular child.
Do I need to have somebody supervising the session?
Yes. The carer needs to sign an agreement upfront committing to having someone available to supervise the session. That person can be carer, another responsible adult or youth worker.
How can I apply to become an Educational Support Mentor?
Apply to become an Education Support Mentor by completing the online application here. We’re searching for enthusiastic individuals to provide one-on-one academic tutoring to primary and secondary aged school students. Second-year university students and above preferable. Must be double vaccinated. Valid Blue Card required. Visit our “We’re Hiring Page” here for more details.
Do you service all areas of Queensland?
The areas we can service with in-person sessions are the Brisbane region and Gold Coast. We can offer online learning in more remote areas including Ipswich, Beaudesert and outlying areas.
