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Seasons for Growth Children and Young People's Program

Mackillop Family Services - Mackillop Seasons

Early intervention education program based on the belief that change and loss are part of life, and grief is a normal response to these losses.
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Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

  • Mentally Healthy Communities

  • Family Partnerships

  • Learning Resilience

  • Early Support

  • Responding Together

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

  • Health and PE

Target audience

  • Primary school
  • Secondary school

Target groups

  • Small group

Aims

Seasons for Growth aims to support connection with others going through similar circumstances, helping to foster emotional literacy and resilience as a pathway to improved social and emotional wellbeing. It aims to provide a safe learning environment for children and young people to: Acknowledge their experiences and recognise they are "not the only one"; Understand that their feelings and other behavioural reactions are normal; Develop skills for coping, positive choices, goal setting and decision making; Build a peer support network and a felt sense of belonging and connection; Help restore self-confidence and self-esteem.

Program theory

Seasons for Growth is grounded in J. William Worden’s theory of grief, the principles of recognition and wellbeing, and Childhood Studies.

Topics

Seasons for Growth provides the support and space for children and young people to: Learn about how different people respond to change, loss and grief; Understand that it is normal to experience a range of grief reactions; Explore new approaches to dealing with change, loss and grief in their lives; Build communication, decision making and problem-solving skills; Participate in a supportive network of peers and adults; Integrate their new learning into their relationships with family, friends and others.

Cost

There are many different packages and costs are published on the MacKillop Seasons website under training and events. To run the groups, each participant will need a journal, available for purchase on the website. Updated costs are also listed there. https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/

Program structure

Seasons for Growth is a small group program of 4-7 participants. It’s run over eight formal sessions, plus a celebration and optional reconnector session. The small groups are in-person and facilitated by a trained companion and tailored to participant age. Level 1 (6 - 8 years): 40 min sessions; Level 2 (9 -10 years): 40 min sessions; Level 3 (11-12 years): 45 min sessions; Level 4 (13-18 years): 50 min sessions.

Instructor

  • External facilitator
  • Psychologist
  • Educator
  • Wellbeing leader

Instructor training

The program training is 12 hours over 2 days - online or face to face. The training provides attendees with detailed, theoretical, evidence-based content. The training is accessible and interactive. Once trained, facilitators are called "Companions" as the role emphasises the importance of balancing the subject matter expertise of the facilitator with the program learning experience, based on conversations with and between the children and young people.

Supporting resources or materials available with program

  • Manual
  • Workbook

Other materials

Each trained Companion (facilitator/instructor) receives a Program Manual and a sample pack of children’s journals for reference.

Ongoing support

The following free additional support for trained Companions is provided: Online and telephone support can be accessed 5 days per week; Monthly online follow-up (Community of Practice); Additional online trainer led professional development sessions to continue building their knowledge and understanding of grief and loss; Access to a Companion portal with additional practical resources for running their groups and a quarterly newsletter featuring the latest research, evidence, relevant articles, and stories; Access to an Online support group for Companions (Seasons Online Community).

Parent involvement

  • Attend information sessions
  • Follow-up information provided after program
  • Written information provided to parents
  • Online resources

Origin of program

Australia

Mackillop Family Services - Mackillop Seasons

Program authors

Professor Anne Graham

Address
14 Rodborough Road, Unit 11,Frenchs Forest NSW 2086 Australia
Phone
+611300379569
Email
louise.hall@mackillop.org.au
website
Visit website

Ratings

3/4 Evidence
4/4 Implementation

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? Yes
Link between program description and theory of change Comprehensive
Study design Pre-post cohort
Independence Completely

Summary of implementation factors

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

Feedback sought from participants Yes
Feedback sought from instructors Yes
Groups program is not suitable for Not assessed
Training provided during study Face to face, all instructors, in person
Ongoing instructor support provided during study Yes

Context

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

Study Participants

Primary school

Secondary school
Country of Study/s

Australia
Location of Study/s in Australia

VIC

NSW
Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations No
Evaluation of program in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people No
Evaluation of program in low socioeconomic groups No
Developmental based adaptations to program design and delivery No
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference Yes

Last updated: 2 October 2025