Australian families and communities are experiencing more disasters than ever before, leading to a higher risk of adverse mental health outcomes for our infants and children. But by offering the right support at the right time, every practitioner can make a difference.
It is essential that everyone who works with infants, children, parents and families is prepared to support them in planning and preparing for disasters, as well as responding and recovering afterwards.
This practice guide is a series of resources on child-centred and family-focused approaches in disaster preparedness, response and recovery. It aims to equip practitioners with foundational knowledge and evidence-informed approaches to support infants, children and their families during and after disasters, and promote their long-term healing and wellbeing.
This practice guide is for anyone who is, or may in the future be, supporting infants, children, parents and/or families who experience a disaster.
This includes practitioners, workers, leaders and volunteers across a wide range of sectors such as:
- health services
- social and community services
- education
- first response and emergency services
- government (policymaking and agencies and services)
- non-government organisations and community-led initiatives.
Jump in and explore the guide’s series of topic-based practice papers which include video interviews with practitioners, researchers and parents with lived experience; actor-based and written practice scenarios; audio case studies; and podcasts with families.
Together, we can make a difference for infants, children and families Australia-wide.
Acknowledgements
This practice guide is informed by valuable research, practice insights and lived experience of disaster. Emerging Minds would like to thank the professionals and families who had an integral role in shaping this resource along with the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Loss & Grief Network (ACATLGN) team at Australian National University (ANU). Led by Michelle Roberts, the ACATLGN team’s work contributed significantly to the development of this resource, which Emerging Minds has led since 2023. A full list of acknowledgements can be found on the Emerging Minds website. A full list of acknowledgements can be found on the Emerging Minds website.
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Why we need to support infants and children before, during and after disasters
Experiencing a disaster can disrupt children’s sense of safety and development and impact on their mental health and wellbeing. This practice paper explains why it’s important to focus on the unique needs of infants, children and families at all stages of a disaster and will introduce you to the foundational knowledge and skills needed to support them.
Select from the following disaster topics:
Disaster resources for families
These resources have been specifically developed to help parents and carers to support children in preparing for, experiencing and recovering from floods, bushfires and drought.
