Secret Agent Society

Social Science Translated

Secret Agent Society (SAS) is a suite of espionage-themed resources designed to engage children in social and emotional development through gamefied learning and interactive sessions.

Overview

Alignment with Be You Domains

Mentally Healthy Communities
Family Partnerships
Learning Resilience
Early Support

Alignment with Australian Curriculum

Health and PE

Target audience

Primary school
Secondary school

Target groups

Individual
Small group

Program delivery

There are a variety of Secret Agent Society (SAS) resources available in two formats: 1. The SAS Small Group Program is capped at a maximum of 3 to 4 children per facilitator. 2. The SAS Computer Game Pack provides 12-month access to multi-level gamified learning for one user. There is an optional E-Telligence Pack (cards, stickers and card holders) available to complement both formats. The Program is delivered online via a software package that provides separate access to children, parents, teachers and SAS facilitators.

Aims

The Secret Agent Society's suite of espionage-themed resources aims to build children's resilience, support children's goals for themselves and empower them to communicate their needs. The programs use clinician-led, digitised choose-your-own adventure-style missions and a step-by-step problem-solving formula to support children to develop meaningful and diverse skill sets.

Program theory

The program uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) strategies and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) techniques. SAS also draws on principles of learning and behaviour change. Child development literature has also informed the age-relevant step-by-step guidelines for the social skills explored in the program, while also supporting neurodivergent-affirming approaches (for example, steps for talking and playing with others).

Topics

The program supports children to recognise emotions in themselves and others, express their feelings in respectful and helpful ways, cope with feelings of anger and anxiety, communicate and play with others, cope with transitions and challenges, build and maintain friendships, solve social problems, prevent and manage bullying and teasing, and acknowledge personal strengths.

Cost

Costs include a one-off training fee per staff and for implementation resources under an SAS Provider account. The SAS facilitator training course is $720 to $900 per participant dependent on bulk discounts for groups larger than 5. The SAS Assistant short course is $45 per participant. An annual implementation subscription provides the facilitation team with full access to the software. Cadet Places cost $155 to $200 per student, depending on the school's chosen subscription level. There are also flexible pricing options ranging from providers requiring fewer places per year (from $599) to large enterprise pricing for more than 100 children per year or for multiple years. All prices exclude GST. Learn more at https://www.secretagentsociety.com/australian-sas-provider-subscription-prices

Program structure

The Secret Agent Society Small Group Program offers 9 modules (plus 2 booster sessions) that support children, parents and teachers. The Program consists of small group child sessions (club meetings), parent group meetings, and educator information sessions and tip sheets. Learn more at www.secretagentsociety.com/sas-options

Instructor

External facilitator
Psychologist
Educator
Wellbeing leader

Instructor training

After meeting the eligibility criteria, professionals learn to deliver the program in a 14-hour self-paced online SAS Facilitator Training Course. Learn more at https://www.secretagentsociety.com/professional-training

Supporting resources or materials available with program

Manual
Online webinars

Other materials

The following resources are also available via the Secret Agent Society Facilitator Dashboard on the online platform: Pre-prepared session content, progressive assessment processes, ongoing access for providers to training content, demonstration videos, simulation activities and program implementation resources.

Ongoing support

Ongoing software user support, organisational planning support, and clinical program implementation support as needed.

Parent involvement

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

Origin of program

Australia

Social Science Translated

Program authors

Dr Renae Beaumont

: PO Box 6068,St Lucia QLD 4067 Australia

: +61 7 3720 8740

: sas@sst-institute.net

: Visit website

Ratings

4/4 Evidence

3/4 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	Randomised control trial
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	Assessed and reported
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	NSW QLD
Evaluation of program in culturally and linguistically diverse populations	Yes
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	Yes
Evaluation of program in children and young people with disability and/or learning difference	Yes

Last updated: 1 March 2023