Discover more resources
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Short article
The importance of supporting foster and kinship carers in promoting children’s mental health
Josh FergeusChildren in out-of-home care in Australia are up to four times more likely to experience problems with mental health than their mainstream peers. Carers have emerged as powerful agents of change for these children. The quality of day-to-day care that children receive from foster and kinship carers and the nature of the caring environment are major factors influencing their mental health and wellbeing. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: March 2024
Prepared by AIFSThis March 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided. -
Webinar
Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care through a culturally safe framework
Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)Co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN), this webinar provides strategies to help practitioners deliver therapeutic responses within a culturally safe framework, supporting the social and emotional wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care. -
Webinar
How a ‘village’ approach can support infant and toddler mental health
Child Family Community Australia & Emerging MindsCo-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar discusses how to work collaboratively with families to engage with their 'village' and promote infant and toddler mental health. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: February 2024
Prepared by AIFSThis February 2024 research summary provides a selection of recently released papers, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses related to infant and child mental health. Each summary includes an introductory overview of the content for the month, followed by a list of selected articles. Each article is accompanied by a brief synopsis which presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided. -
Practice paper
Recognising and strengthening the stories of children in care
Nicole Rollbusch and Dan MossThis paper identifies practical ways professionals working with children who are in care can bring children’s histories to life in ways that support their sense of identity and confidence, even when children’s experiences with their birth families included trauma or neglect. -
Guide
Practice principles for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care
Hilary Miller and Kristel Alla, Australian Institute of Family StudiesThis practice guide uses learnings from Australian and international research to build practitioner awareness of approaches to support the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care (OOHC). It outlines principles that may be useful to guide practice when supporting children in OOHC. -
Fact sheet
What type of programs improve the mental health outcomes of children in out-of-home care?
Hilary Miller and Kristel Alla, Australian Institute of Family StudiesExplore the most common types of programs that aim to improve mental health outcomes for children in out-of-home care (OOHC) and the evidence for overall program types -
Short article
Supporting children with disability in out-of-home care (OOHC)
Hilary Miller, Mandy Truong and Kristel Alla, Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)This resource provides an overview of the over-representation of children with disability in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia. It may be relevant for people working in child protection, including care workers, social and youth workers, mental health professionals, and disability, health and allied health practitioners. -
Practice paper
Understanding the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care
Hilary Miller and Kristel Alla, Australian Institute of Family StudiesThis resource briefly explores mental health and wellbeing outcomes and experiences of children in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia. It includes information on how feeling safe, receiving information about their care and decisions impacting them, and maintaining relationships with important people can bolster the mental health of children in care. -
Short article
What factors predict long-term mental health for children in out-of-home care?
Catherine WadeThis short article summarises a recent paper which examines how key child and family characteristics predict long-term mental health for children in out-of-home care. -
Short article
How fathers’ warm and responsive parenting can support child mental health
Melissa Willoughby (AIFS), Cat Strawa (AIFS), Vincent Mancini (Telethon Kids Institute, UWA and The Fathering Project) & Hilary Miller (AIFS)This resource will explore the evidence on how fathers can positively influence their child’s mental health through warm and responsive parenting.