frequently asked questions
Out-of-Home Care Tutoring program
Who can enrol a young person in 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 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 2024 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 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.
Are scholarships available?
Scholarships are available in limited numbers each year.
Do Carers, Foster Agencies and Child Safety Officers recieve updates?
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.
Will the child have the same tutor for each session?
We make every endeavour to ensure the child has the same Educational Support Mentor for the 12 month program.
Do all tutors hold current and valid Blue Cards?
Yes. All educational support mentors have completed the relevant Queensland checks and hold valid and current Blue Cards.
Do I need 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.
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.
What happens if a student and tutor 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.
Private Tutoring Program
Who can enrol a young person in 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.
Is the program available for high school and primary 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.
How do you match tutors and students?
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.
Will the student have the same tutor for each session?
We make every endeavour to ensure the child has the same Educational Support Mentor for the 12 month program.
Do all tutors hold current and valid Blue Cards?
Yes. All educational support mentors have completed the relevant Queensland checks and hold valid and current Blue Cards.
Do I need 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.
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.
What happens if the student and tutor 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.
