Identifying quality interventions with STEPS

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STEPS is a decision-making tool to help schools choose appropriate and evidence-based anti-bullying programs and approaches. 

For Australian schools that want to avoid using inappropriate or ineffective programs  steps provides a robust, transparent and comprehensive process to selecting an approach to bullying prevention

Overview

STEPS facilitates local decision making, builds school capacity

and highlights the many aspects relevant in selecting bullying prevention programs

 

STEPS guides schools to answer three overarching questions:

[Questions displayed on screen]

does the approach work?

will it work in our school?

and how will we know it has been effective?

 

[Key concepts are displayed in building blocks which appear on screen like a jigsaw puzzle]

These three questions are explored through the nine concepts of:

definition 

theory

evidence

practice

suitability

feasibility

perspective

sustainability

and real results.

 

Each of the nine concepts has a key question which the school needs to consider.

[Text displaying concept questions appear on screen while speaker reads]

Definition - is the approach based on a contemporary understanding of bullying that is consistent with the school's definition?

Theory - is the approach based on a sound theory that draws on the existing knowledge from previous research in bullying?

Evidence - does the approach have evidence from well-designed research which shows measurable change in behavior? 

Practice - have other schools use this approach and achieved positive outcomes?

Suitability - does the approach address the target students and needs that the school has identified? 

Feasibility - is the approach feasible and practical in the school context?

Perspective - is the philosophical perspective underpinning the approach compatible with the school's approach to behaviour learning and student wellbeing?

Sustainability - can the school implement and sustain the approach as required for it to be effective?

and real results - does the approach indicate how outcomes will be measured and time frames within which to expect to see real results?

The STEPS image shows that the nine concepts in the framework are interrelated and are all important to comprehensively examine an approach the framework is flexible so that schools can start with the most relevant concept for them and progress in any order. 

To guide schools to answer the nine key questions steps provides numerous prompt questions.

Schools should be able to find all the information they need to respond to the prompt questions in a program manual, or website as well as in their annual plan school, policies and data, and from members of the school community.

 

Extensive information and resources to support schools to use steps are available on the bullying no way website  at bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventingbullying/steps. 

 

Schools are also encouraged to send any feedback and questions to

 [email protected].

STEPS is an important tool for ensuring you select effective 

and appropriate programs and approaches

so that your schools' resources and efforts

will make a real positive and lasting difference for students

 

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