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Practice paper
Engaging with parents when there are child protection concerns: Key considerations
Teresa Hall, Rhys Price-Robertson and Ruby AwramWhen a family has child protection concerns, or is in contact with child protection services, effective parental engagement can be particularly challenging. This resource outlines some of the key considerations for engaging with parents in such circumstances. -
Short article
How can the Australian child protection system better help children who experience cumulative harm?
Rosemary SheehanThis short article has been adapted from a paper recently published in Child and Family Social Work: ‘Cumulative harm in the child protection system: The Australian context’ (https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12621). The paper was based on a systematic literature review of how ‘cumulative harm’ is understood and operationalised within current Australian child protection legislation, policy and practice. -
Guide
Shining a light on good practice in NSW: Stories from child protection and out of home care
NSW Government Family & Community ServicesThey are such different stories but they have one common feature – hardworking, courageous, compassionate and skilled people who have changed lives. We know there is a lot about our system that we need to fix. This report reminds us of so much that is working and does not need fixing. It also reminds us that our people, and the relationships they form, are the very best asset we have to offer vulnerable families. -
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. -
Fact sheet
One Talk at a Time: Child sexual abuse: Get the facts
National Office for Child SafetyThis resource from the National Office for Child Safety (NOCS) includes foundational information about child sexual abuse. The resource contains statistics to learn more about child sexual abuse and helps to dispel common myths and misconceptions, and help people understand the role they can play in protecting children and young people. -
Website
One Talk at a Time: Having conversations
National Office for Child SafetyThis toolkit from the National Office for Child Safety has been designed to help adults have preventative conversations about child sexual abuse with children and young people, other adults and organisations.