Important Information

• Forms
• Compliance
• Policy
• Funding
• Evidence
• FAQs

Forms

Permission and consent form

Online Student Photo Permission Form

Evaluation forms

Online Pre and Post Student Evaluation Form

Online Staff Evaluation Form

Case Study

Online Case Study

Compliance

• WorkCover Insurance Certificate of Currency
• Combined Insurance Certificate
• Safe Work Methods Statements (SWMS) 
• Risk in classrooms assessment
• Venue Animal Management Plan

Supervision from the school is necessary.

Legal supervision is a top priority. A school representative must be present for each session without exception. We have found that continuity with familiar staff enhances the program's effectiveness for adults and students. We collaborate closely with schools to maintain a secure and enriching environment, adhering to stringent safety and well-being standards. The care and security of your students are our highest priorities.

Working With Children's Checks

All staff hold a WWCC and can provide evidence when required.

Canine Comprehension ensures that its staff entering School premises: 
(i) have undertaken a satisfactory working with children check; and 
(ii) have met any additional relevant legal requirements and policies of the School  Council and/or School about the suitability of mentors to work with school children or within the precinct of the School.

Canine Comprehension acknowledges and agrees that Schools are committed to creating child-safe environments and protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, managing the risk of child abuse, providing support to a child at risk of child abuse and responding to incidents or allegations of child abuse in accordance with their legal obligations, including Child Safety Laws. 

Canine Comprehension acknowledges that the School Council and School Staff must comply with Child Safety Laws, the Ministerial Order and School Council Child  Safety Policies.  

Policies

Late fees and further action

• Bookings are confirmed upon receiving session times.
• Cancellation may incur a 20% administration fee of the original booking cost.
• Outstanding accounts may be transferred to debt recovery professionals or may initiate legal action.
• Legal costs will be added to the outstanding amount.
• Additional charges for interest, recovery, and legal expenses may be sought and awarded by the court if the account remains unpaid.

Change of session

• We cannot guarantee that a change will be possible due to mentor availability.
• If rescheduling is viable, a $22.00 Flexi charge will apply to cover administration costs.

Cancellation policy

• Please attend scheduled appointments as arranged.
• Makeup sessions are scheduled for public holidays.
• Cancellations require a two-week notice. We will attempt to reschedule; however, if not possible, the session will be forfeited.
• To cancel, please email admin@caninecomprehension.com.au.

Safety Statements

• Commitment to Child Safety Statement
• Inappropriate Behaviour Prevention Statement
• Inclusion Statement
• Behaviour Management Statement
• Dog Safety Statement
• LGBTIQ Support Statement
• OHS Consult Comms Procedure
• School Policy and Advisory Guide
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policy
• Child Safe Policy
• Child Safe Responding & Reporting Policy

Canine Comprehension recognises that their service delivery is bound by the following policies deemed relevant by the Principal / Director of the school to the delivery of the  Services, on the basis that the Principal / Director provides these documents in written form at least 2 weeks before services commence (where necessary) an orientation and explanation is provided to the Supplier of  what is expected to conform to these policies: 
(i) Student Support Group Guidelines;  
(ii) Primary Welfare Officer Initiative Guidelines; 
(iii) Schoolcare Program Guidelines; 
(iv) Medical Intervention Support Guidelines;  
(v) The Victorian Prevention and Health Promotion Achievement Program (Primary  schools);  
(vi) Promoting Healthy Minds for Learning and Living (Victorian Mental Health Reform  Strategy);  
(vii) Protecting the safety and well-being of children and young people (protocol);  

(viii) A step-by-step guide to making a report to Child Protection or Child FIRST;

(ix) Guidelines for the management of student services files;  
(x) any of the School Council’s rules, regulations, protocols, procedures, by-laws and any other relevant information of which the Canine Comprehension has been notified. 

The Business Council of Australia has led the development of the Australian supplier payment code

Canine Comprehension is a signatory of this code.

School Mental Health Menu to fund our programs

DET Funding Details below, or go to the DET website

Tier:

• Tier 1: Positive Mental Health Promotion
• Tier 2: Early Intervention Cohort Specific Support

Type of Intervention: Animal wellbeing programs

Stength of evidence: Level 3: Foundational and emerging evidence for program.

Geographic Availability: State-wide, rural/regional

Intended Outcomes

• Improve students interpersonal and social skills
• Improve students emotion management
• Enable better connections at school

Program Details

• Enhance student interpersonal and social skills.
• Improve emotional management in students.
• Foster better connections within the school environment.

Program Details:

Target Audience:

• Primary School Students - lower
• Primary School Students - upper
• Secondary School Students - lower
• Secondary School Students - upper
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students
• LGBTIQ+ Students
• Asylum Seeker and Refugee Students
• Students with Disabilities

Program Provider: Canine Comprehension

Delivery Mode:

• Face-to-face
• Combination
• One online session is available to make up a missed face-to-face session

Implementation considerations

• Target population: Students in P-12 who have a broad spectrum of needs and personalities.
• Program adaptability: Programs are written in a manner that allows tutors to change and amend the program to suit the needs of the group. Different program options allow schools to select the most relevant content for their students.
• Staffing: One school staff member needs to be present for each session, observing and sometimes participating in the session.
• Training requirements: There is no pre-requisite training. The use of a quiet room where there is enough space for the participants to sit in a large circle is required.
• Factors to consider: Maximum of 10 students per group.
• Australian context: The program is not available in Western Melbourne Wimmera South West and Barwon South West regions: Southern Melbourne South East region: Hume Moreland, Loddon Campaspe and Mallee North West regions or any of the North East regions.

Letter-From-the-Hon-James-Merlino-MP.pdf (238kB)

Evidence

Schools Frequently Asked Questions