frequently asked questions

We accept applications from the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services, 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.

Research shows that early intervention provides the best outcomes for education for young people in care. Therefore, the focus of the Little Stars Learners Program is Prep to Grade 6. However, we also cater to students in high school.

The focus is to ensure that young people 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. 

Applications for the program open each year in September and close in December of that same year.  The Program is a year long 4 term program.   Should you wish to apply for a position in the program, please complete an online application form or contact info@littlestarslearners.com.au for further information. Late Applications will be considered for acceptance pending availability of Learning Support Mentors and available positions in the program.

As the program is a full year program, invoices are issued for the full program in December/January of the year prior to commencement of the program and are due prior to allocation of Learning Support Mentors in January and commencement of the program. Instalment payments may be considered in certain circumstances through the Complex Support Needs Allowance, or High Support Needs Allowance payments – noting that instalments do not directly correspond with sessions. Refunds are not available for missed sessions but all missed sessions can and should be made up throughout the year of the program. Due to limited funding and limited ability to manage ongoing direct debits due to a lack of funding, applications where upfront payments are made will be given priority.

Limited scholarships are available upon application and subject to funding availability. Scholarships are provided either in full or in part through the Little Stars Foundation.  In addition to completing an Application for the Little Stars Learners program, a Scholarship Application should be completed. Please visit www.littlestarsfoundation.org.au for more information or email info@littlestarsfoundation.org.au.  Please note that Scholarships will only be provided where all other avenues for funding have been exhausted through the Department of Child Safety or the Foster Agency.

Yes. Education 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 the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services.

We make every endeavour to ensure the student has the same Tutor for the 12 month program.

Yes. All Education Support Mentors have completed the relevant Queensland checks and hold valid and current Blue Cards.

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.

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.

We consistently review the progress of the young people engaged in the program and check in with carers to ensure 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 support mentor.