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Creating effective Networks for children.
As a result of my experience teaching a wide range of children at varying levels of development, I have always taught networks in a very structured way.  It is extremely important that children make their own choices about who they have on their Network but I have created a formula to guide them so as to create a Network that will be effective and as accessible as possible. 

Using the Network Hand model, I encourage children to choose a person from their home to go on the thumb, two people from school on the next two fingers and two people from the community on the remaining two fingers.
There are two reasons I have always encouraged children to choose an extra Network person at school. Firstly, a child with special needs may not have the cognitive skills to make the decision to tell somebody else at school if their designated Network person is unavailable. Secondly, children in remote communities may be limited in the number of people available to them, outside school, that they feel comfortable to include on their Network.

Most recently, at a conference I attended in Queensland, a police officer spoke about having to interview children at school.  She highlighted the fact that if a child discloses any form of abuse to a teacher, that teacher then becomes a witness. Should the child require a support person during the police interview, the teacher who received the disclosure will not be able to be present. It is therefore essential that a child has two trusted adults from school on their Network to be available and assist them through this process.

For more information about the Network Hand model refer to our Parent's Helping Handbook or click here to download one of our Network Hand worksheets.
Network Posters
These beautifully illustrated posters provide an opportunity to discuss Networks with children and free-think people they could include on their own Network.

Culturally inclusive, the second theme of Protective Behaviours is presented in three ways so you can select the most appropriate for your children.

Each Network poster comes as a set of two with our Theme 1 Poster: "Everyone has the right to feel safe all of the time"

SPECIAL PRICE: AUD10.00 (inc GST) per set
Protecting Kids in the UK!
Holly-ann will be heading to the United Kingdom on the 18th September and would like to extend an invitation to any organizations who may wish to be represented or participate in this fantastic opportunity to network with Protective Behaviours practitioners in the UK. Please email Holly-ann directly for more information.

If you are in the UK and wish to attend or host a training session, please also contact Holly-ann for more information.

We are already beginning the process of scheduling training dates for 2009, so please let us know if you would like Holly-ann to visit your school or region.

Holly-ann Martin can be contacted at holly-ann@protectingkids.com.au or by phone 0422 971 189.


Please visit our website at www.protectingkids.com.au

Useful Links: Quote of the Month:

Kids Helpline
Net Alert
Protective Behaviours Australia

"The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906 - 1945)