Power to Kids is a professional learning program that upskills you to strengthen prevention and responses to child sexual abuse, exploitation and harmful sexual behaviours. The program features 3 evidence-based strategies including a service-wide education approach, early identification and intervention, and connecting with appropriate services to disrupt harm. Power to Kids supports educators to feel more confident to act within the scope of their role and responsibilities. The program emphasises systems-based approaches and working closely with statutory services and local support services so services can better engage specialist support when needed. Power to Kids supports broader collaboration across leaders, children and parents in the shared responsibility of prevention and responses to sexual safety. The program provides tools to explore current levels of understanding, confidence and knowledge to inform inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally safe conversations with the broader community. For more information on the program, visit: Power to Kids in Schools | MacKillop Institute

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• Enhanced educator knowledge of sexual safety issues, including child sexual abuse, harmful sexual behaviour and child sexual exploitation, equipping educators with the information needed to feel secure and proactive in safeguarding duties.
• Improved capacity to prevent, identify, intervene in and respond to sexual safety concerns, strengthening educators’ sense of professional competence.
• Increased confidence and competence to hold trauma-informed “brave conversations” about sexual health and safety, thereby lowering emotional burden and enhancing educator wellbeing.
• Development of trauma-informed, culturally safe and strength-based practices, supporting educators to create safe, inclusive spaces that promote relational health and resilience.

The Power to Kids program is delivered through 4 structured phases to ensure effective and sustainable implementation: commitment, readiness, professional learning, and implementation. The program includes:

• 1 x 1.5-hours introductory workshop for leadership
• access to 3.5-hours of e-learning preparatory/introductory e-learning modules
• 1 x Pre and post program surveys
• 1 x 6-hours ‘live’ training (online or in-person) for all staff
• 1 x 3-hours ‘live’ training for Key Implementers to build sustainable ongoing practice.

The Power to Kids program is delivered to whole-of-centre for $6,600 for up to 30 participants or $10,900 for 30 or more participants. Additional optional readiness workshops (3-hours) are available for $3,200. If travel or accommodation is required, it will be charged at $1,500 for up to 30 participants or $3,000 for 30 or more participants. Additional travel costs will be charged if location is rural/remote and requires substantial travel, accommodation costs.