The impact of a program to help children manage change and loss

Seasons for Growth is an evidence-based change and loss education program that uses imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief, supporting children, young people and adults following many losses including death, separation and divorce, forced migration, suicide events, natural disasters and incarceration. To date, the program has supported in excess of 300,000 children, young people and adults in 7 countries. 

A report on the evaluation study by researchers at University of Melbourne and James Cook University of Good Grief’s program, Seasons for Growth, was recently launched providing evidence that Seasons for Growth creates positive change in children and young people who have experienced loss and change in their lives and is useful in reducing the long-term negative impacts of change, loss and separation in families.

The evaluation surveys included pre and post-program with a follow-up survey three months later. The program facilitators or Companions were also invited to provide feedback about the program.

The key findings of the 2019 evaluation of Seasons for Growth are:

·       Children/young people and parent/carer ratings of change show improvement after completing the program

·       Response to a psychometrically validated measure of children’s wellbeing showed average ratings children/young people’s wellbeing increased over time

·       Positive changes were sustained three months after finishing the program

·       Feedback about the program from children/young people, parents/carers and Companions was overwhelmingly positive

·       The 2019 evaluation confirms the 2011 Southern Cross University evaluation which found Seasons for Growth:

o   Is valued by children and young people, parents and Companions;

o   Addresses an increasingly common area of need;

o   Helps children and young people experiencing change, loss and grief;

o   Builds participants’ understanding and skills and enables them to express their views, thoughts and feelings;

o   Strengthens participants’ social and support networks;

o   Improves participants’ emotional wellbeing.

The evaluation summary is available here.

Seasons for Growth has also recently featured in the inaugural NSW Parliament showcase because it was awarded “high impact” following a submission from Southern Cross University for the 2018-19 Engagement and Impact Report for the Australian Research Council (ARC).

For further information regarding the evaluation, facilitation of Seasons for Growth or professional learning sessions, please contact Good Grief: (02) 8912 2700 or goodgrief.org.au