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  1. Programs Directory

Personal Leadership Program

Youth Opportunities

The Personal Leadership Program uses positive psychology and cognitive therapy to help build emotional intelligence and resilience in young people.
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3/4 Evidence

The evidence rating is scored out of 4 and provides an assessment of the evidence underpinning the program.

3/4 Implementation

The implementation rating is scored out of 4 and provides an assessment of the program's training, support and acceptability by participants and instructors.

  • Overview
  • Cost
  • Structure
  • Organisation
  • Ratings
Contact program Back to top

Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

  • Learning Resilience

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

  • English
  • Health and PE

Target audience

  • Secondary school

Target groups

  • Individual
  • Small group
  • Whole class

Aims

Personal Leadership Program aims to improve the wellbeing of secondary school students and reduce their risk of developing a mental health disorder. Typically, the program works with students at risk who may be experiencing disengagement or disadvantage, or obstacles associated with bullying, low self-esteem, anxiety, family dysfunction and poor school engagement. The program aims to reduce the risk factors associated with school engagement, wellbeing and mental health.

Program theory

The program is drawn from a range of psychological theory: social Learning theory, motivation and goal planning theory; positive psychology, including the PERMA wellbeing framework, and cognitive behaviour theory. Programs are maintained by monitoring the latest evidence base within a continuous quality improvement framework. This function is conducted by Marshman Foundation, the research, development and evaluation arm of Youth Opportunities.

Topics

The program covers a wide range of topics where complex constructs are made accessible through the use of symbolism and analogy that informs a simple toolkit. The program framework of define, discover and decide builds on the psychological underpinnings of neuroplasticity and locus of control. Topics are based on four decisions: happiness and a positive self-image, goal planning, communication skills and developing a growth mindset. Participants develop self-determination and consequential thinking to create long-term benefits in taking responsibility for their own outcomes, including how they respond to factors that are outside of their control.

Cost

There are two methods of delivery: face-to-face and blended online. A range of models are available to schools including: fully facilitated by trainers at $11,000; full licence (in-school facilitation) for the face-to-face program at $3,840; or the online program with educator support at $100 per student (minimum 20), plus educator training at $500 per educator. These prices represent the cost to schools per program. The full delivery cost of an intensive intervention, is substantially subsidised through our fundraising efforts. Schools that can demonstrate hardship may attract additional financial support on a case-by-case basis.

Program structure

Face-to-face program: One day per week for 9.5 weeks (4 sessions per day at approximately 1.5 hours per session). Blended online program: 36 modules, which can be completed flexibly, traditionally at one module per week during a double lesson, over a semester in school; can also be fully self-paced.

Instructor

  • External facilitator
  • Educator
  • Wellbeing leader

Instructor training

Prior to program implementation all delivery staff must complete accredited internal training by Youth Opportunities. Face-to-face program: 21 hours of training over 3 days. Blended online program: 8 hours of training, normally conducted over one day but can be delivered more flexibly across a short series of online sessions. Training covers topics such as program content, psychological framework, wellbeing and psychological distress measures, facilitation practice and one-to-one coaching methods.

Supporting resources or materials available with program

  • DVD
  • Manual
  • Online webinars

Ongoing support

Instructors, educators or trainers are further supported during pre-training sessions through interactive sessions and/or video instruction and pre-training notes. For the face-to-face program there is observation and feedback available, plus ongoing training via phone, webinar or online support. A Youth Opportunities-employed Child Safety Officer can be made available by phone for support in the face-to-face program.

Parent involvement

Not provided

Origin of program

Australia

Youth Opportunities

Program authors

Peter Marshman and the Marshman Foundation

Address
35a Oaklands Rd,Somerton Park SA 5044 Australia
Phone
+61 8 8240 3133
Email
larry.waller@youthopps.com.au
website
Visit website

Ratings

3/4 Evidence

The evidence rating is scored out of 4 and provides an assessment of the evidence underpinning the program.

3/4 Implementation

The implementation rating is scored out of 4 and provides an assessment of the program's training, support and acceptability by participants and instructors.

Summary of evidence factors

This is a summary of the evaluation or research study characteristics that contribute to the program’s evidence rating.

Positive impact on at least one outcome for children and/or young people?

The study reported positive outcomes.

Yes
Link between program description and theory of change

Theory of change refers to whether there was a comprehensive description and illustration of how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context.

Comprehensive
Study design

Type of study design reported.

Quasi-experimental
Independence

The degree to which the program authors were involved in the research.

Completely

Summary of implementation factors

This is a summary of the program’s characteristics that contribute to its implementation rating.

Feedback sought from participants

Participants enjoyed the program and understood its benefits.

Yes
Feedback sought from instructors

Instructors enjoyed the program and understood its benefits.

No
Groups program is not suitable for

Groups the program wouldn't be suitable for or that required further research to determine suitability.

Not assessed
Training provided during study

The model of training provided.

Face to face, all instructors, in person
Ongoing instructor support provided during study

Whether ongoing support is provided.

Yes

Context

This is a summary of the context in which the evidence for the program was established.

Study Participants

Pre school, primary school (Foundation to Year 6), secondary school (Years 7 to 12).

Secondary school

Country of Study/s

The location in which the evidence or research was conducted.

Australia

Location of Study/s in Australia

The state (or states) the program was assessed in Australia.

SA

Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations

Provider has included culturally and linguistically diverse people when assessing the program.

Yes
Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people

Provider has included Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when assessing the program.

Yes
Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups

Program has evaluated a diverse socio-economic population in their research.

No
Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery

Shorter sessions for younger students or activities are adjusted for age appropriateness.

No
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference

Provider has included participants with a disability or learning difference when assessing the program.

No

Last updated: 17 July 2023

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Be You acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend our respect to all Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia.