Connect. Learn. Thrive.
Learning Support Program for Young People Living in Foster, Kinship & Residential Care.
“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”
Nelson Mandela
The Challenges for Young People in Care
Children living in foster, kinship, and residential care face profound and complex challenges that deeply affect their educational journeys. These young people, often affected by early trauma, struggle developmentally, socially, and emotionally, with long-term impacts on their ability to succeed in school.
Children who have experienced abuse and neglect who are in foster, kinship and residential care are among the most disadvantaged students, often falling behind their peers in literacy, numeracy, and engagement. The effects of trauma can manifest in behavioral difficulties, leading to higher suspension and exclusion rates in school. Placement instability further disrupts learning, with children frequently changing homes and schools, adding to their struggles in maintaining academic progress.
Without targeted intervention, these children are at significant risk of lifelong social and economic disadvantage.
Why Early Intervention Matters
The Little Stars Learners program is designed to address these challenges by providing early intervention and tailored support which is trauma-informed and grounded in relationship. Our early intervention approach focuses on helping children and young people connect with learning, rebuild their self-esteem, and develop a sense of stability and success.
Key Outcomes of our program include:
Improved Engagement: Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress.
Enhanced Confidence & Wellbeing: Through consistent support, children gain confidence and experience positive changes in their mental health, leading to improved behaviour both at home and in school.
Strengthened Care Placements: By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
Carer Support: Carers benefit from a reduction in stress and feel more confident in their caregiving roles, with a deeper understanding of trauma-informed strategies that improve the lives of the children in their care.
Enhanced Community Understanding of Trauma: Education Support Mentors gain valuable experience, developing skills in trauma-informed practices that positively impact their careers in education and beyond.
Assisting Teachers and Schools by improving student engagement: Working one on one with students who have fallen behind to get them up to speed with the curriculum ultimately has flow on benefits for teachers and other students in the classroom.
Improved Engagement
Children are motivated to participate in their education, showing increased school attendance, enthusiasm for learning, and academic progress.
Enhanced Confidence & Wellbeing
Through consistent support, children gain confidence and experience positive changes in their mental health, leading to improved behaviour both at home and in school.
Strengthened Care Placements
By reducing conflicts over homework and school issues, our program fosters more harmonious household environments, reducing the risk of placement breakdowns and ultimately over reliance on residential care.
Carer Support
Carers benefit from a reduction in stress and feel more confident in their caregiving roles, with a deeper understanding of trauma-informed strategies that improve the lives of the children in their care.
Enhanced Community Understanding of Trauma
Education Support Mentors gain valuable experience, developing skills in trauma-informed practices that positively impact their careers in education and beyond.
Assisting Teachers and Schools by improving student engagement
Working one on one with students who have fallen behind to get them up to speed with the curriculum ultimately has flow on benefits for teachers and other students in the classroom.
The Little Stars Learners program is not only transforming lives but is also delivering a high return on investment. For every $1 invested, $5.60 of social and economic value is created, benefiting children, carers, the education system, and the community at large.
Our Social Return on Investment Analysis completed by Lumenia in September 2024.
$1 invested
of social and economic value is created
This powerful return highlights the significant impact of Little Stars Learners in addressing the educational challenges faced by children in care, creating lasting benefits for individuals and society.
By investing in these young lives, we are breaking the cycle of disadvantage, giving children in care the opportunity to succeed in school and beyond. Together, we can create a brighter, more hopeful future.
“He spent much of his time at school, absconding, hiding or literally jumping up on the roof to escape people. As he had violent tendencies, there was little the staff could do. Even the Principal was afraid of this child. Then we started him through the Little Stars Learners Program... during the entire hour each week, this young person was engaged and happy and in a short period of time gained literacy and numeracy skills he would never ever have attained in a classroom”
Information Kit for Little Stars Learners Program
Discover more about our trauma-informed education support program for young people living in Foster, Kinship & Residential Care and other children impacted by trauma in Queensland by requesting a Little Stars Learners Information Kit.