Supporting children with additional needs requires the volunteer who works with children to extend the strategies they already use. It's important that those who work with children at Citipointe develop an understanding of each child’s needs and support each child with individual attention.

We tell our prospective parents that “Our volunteers working in the Citipointe Premiere Program may have experience of working with children with additional needs, they may be a parent of a child with additional needs, or they may simply be a volunteer with a heart to look after your child. They are not necessarily a Special and Inclusive Education teacher.”

There is no national definition of ‘additional needs.’ This term is used within this strategy to describe children who may need or require specific considerations. 

Each Citipointe location houses children (from toddler to high school) who require additional attention. This information will help each volunteer, working with kids, to have a better understanding of the uniqueness of all children.

Additional needs may include children who:

• have a disability or developmental delay - physical, sensory, intellectual, or autism spectrum disorder;

• are presenting with challenging behaviours and/or behavioural or psychological disorders; 

• have a serious medical or health condition; or 

• are presenting with trauma-related behaviours.

Premiere Kids Program

The Premiere Kids program (held in Brisbane) was created to provide additional needs for kids who struggle in the mainstream setting for various reasons. The Premiere program allows kids who have additional needs to still take part in Kids Program activities safely. 

Premiere Kids Program - Implementation

Citipointe will ensure:

• parents/guardians will complete a profile on their child, used to gather information about the child’s additional needs and supports that may be required. 

• communication with families regarding ongoing support of the child including the specific communication needs of each child. Communication could include verbal and non-verbal communication skills and cues and may necessitate the use of systems such as sign language or use of images. (this does not imply the volunteer needs to learn sign language, but rather be mindful of hand signals that a child may use instead of verbal cues).

• where possible, that a dedicated volunteer will be provided to work with the child each week. 

• regular feedback to families

• the privacy and confidentiality of the children and their families is maintained

• the child’s sensory sensitivities to pressure, texture, smell, noise or colour are considered. 

Premiere Kids Volunteers will:

• treat children equally and fairly and with respect

• engage in activities which adapt to individual needs

• continue observing the individual child, noting their interests, strengths and developmental needs. 

• act as role models by displaying appropriate behaviour and language, being consistently aware of and responsive to children who may require additional support, attention, or assistance

• not judge or compare one child’s development with another

• provide opportunities for all children to play and learn together, promoting cooperative, caring, and social behaviours.

Premiere Kids Program - Incident Reporting

The Premiere kids program provides a thorough incident reporting system so we can identify if some children are higher risk to themselves, others or volunteers according to the number or voracity of incidents that occur. 

Volunteers who have an incident with a child in the Premiere program must advise their upline, after securing the safety of the child and those around them. This information is entered on to a Premiere kids incident register. 

Where an incident caused physical harm, an Incident Report should be submitted. 

Premiere Kids Program - Volunteer Induction

Volunteers of the Premiere program must be validated Citipointe volunteers trained to work with children (as per this site). As well as this, volunteers in the Premiere program need to:

• Complete WWC Online Training

• Hold a current blue card linked to Citipointe

• Be appraised of Roles and responsibilities - ie organisational structure, who to call in an emergency. 

• What to do in an emergency or in the event of an evacuation or lock down

• Signed declaration that all of the above has taken place.