Frequently Asked Questions

Does the course need to be run by a faith based organization?

Yes, this course needs to be run by a faith based organisation so as to provide a solid foundation to the course. It is not a requirement for the attendees to have any faith affiliation. This course is not designed as an evangelism tool. It is designed to support and empower children and families the best way we know how.

Do I need to have a counselling qualification in order to facilitate the course?

The course deals with sensitive material and therefore the facilitator needs to have the experience/skills required to support children if extra needs arise. However this does not need to be a counselling qualification, it could be a teaching or pastoral qualification or experience. It is important to establish a referral pathway with a counsellor so that children identified during the course as needing further support can be referred on.

It is also helpful for the facilitator to have access to a counsellor for supervision over any concerns during the course.

Can a child do the course more than once?

Yes, in fact we have many children who do the course twice particularly those who do it for the first time when they are 6 or 7 years old.

The prescribed age range is Ages 6 – 11. What if the child is outside the age range?

We acknowledge that this is a broad age range. The course material is valuable for all these age groups. The coach at coach time will draw out the important elements for the younger children and extend learning for the older ones. Sometimes we get requests for 12 year olds to attend. This decision is made on a case by case basis and always in consultation with the child concerned. Often it means the whole group of siblings can attend together. The facilitator should use their discretion.

Is it better to separate siblings or for them to come together?

It is comforting for them to attend together. However it is important to communicate to the respective coaches that siblings should be kept apart during coach time so they are free to express their own individual journey without the chance of it being overheard.

Can a coach have more than one buddy?

Ideally it is one coach to one buddy and this is definitely what we would encourage. The depth of the child’s ability to share their feelings and experience is compromised by adding extra to the group. However if this is the deciding factor between whether you can run the course or not, it is worth looking at how you could make it work.

Could you do without the PowerTools box?

The idea of the PowerTools box is to take the learning from the course and help reinforce it at home. It would be disappointing not to have it but there could be some simple adaptations made.

Can you do this course without serving a meal?

The facilitator would choose when they would run the course. Whether it would be an early evening course with a meal or a weekend morning or afternoon with a snack is up to you. We have found that having a meal with a dessert treat is a highlight. It gives the parent a break and encourages the buddies around the table for a family type meal. Feedback we have received is that many of them don’t eat at a family table anymore.

What do you look for in a coach?

In appointing a coach we look for reliable, committed volunteers who show empathy, are natural encouragers and are good at listening. They need to have a clear police check and be fully reference checked. As a faith based organization we look for volunteers who share the same faith and values as we do. One of the most important attributes to a good coach is having a good sense of fun!

What kind of coach training is involved?

We do not do any formal training of coaches. We look for the inherent skills of empathy and the ability to listen and encourage in the coaches we appoint. We do have a two hour coach orientation which familiarizes the coach with the material. At the orientation we communicate our expectations of the coach and in turn the support the coach can expect from us. It is an opportunity for team building and to get all the paperwork for police check done etc.

Do coaches need to have experienced divorce or separation?

No, we have found it is more important that they are empathetic and good listeners.