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Research paper
Characteristics of promising Indigenous out-of-home care programs and services
Jenny R. Higgins and Nikki ButlerAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to suffer the intergenerational effects of past welfare practices including the forced removal of their children and dislocation from their communities, country and culture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders also experience higher levels of poverty and social disadvantage than non-Indigenous Australians. The combined effects of past practices and current disadvantages present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with extreme challenges in supporting families to ensure children stay safe and are cared for appropriately. -
Website
Child protection and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Child Family Community AustraliaThis paper provides a snapshot of data describing rates of involvement of First Nations children in child protection and out-of-home care in 2017–18. -
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. -
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. -
Short article
The importance of inclusive services for LGBTQ+ parents and carers
Hilary Miller, Luke Gahan and Anna Scovelle, Australian Institute of Family StudiesThis article briefly outlines how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) parents and carers experience barriers to inclusion when accessing services and support, and how to begin to support parents and carers in this context. -
Fact sheet
A culturally safe research process in mental health
Prof. Helen Milroy, Lexi Prichard, Dr Jemma Collova and Dr Shraddha KashyapThis fact sheet describes how culturally safe research can be conducted to learn about the state of cultural safety in mental health services, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, mental health service users, Elders, mental health workers, and Cultural Healers. -
Fact sheet
An overview of Emerging Minds Focus
Emerging MindsLearn how the Emerging Minds Focus tool can help you to motivate, plan and track quality improvement in your organisation, to support the mental health and wellbeing of infants, children and their families. -
Guide
Interpreting your Results Wheels and developing your action plan in Emerging Minds Focus
Emerging MindsThis guide has been developed to support Change Teams to interpret their Results Wheels and develop an action plan within the Emerging Minds Focus quality improvement tool. -
Video
Introducing Emerging Minds Focus
Emerging MindsEmerging Minds Program Director, Brad Morgan and Manager, Partnerships and Implementation, Helen Francis introduce the Emerging Minds Focus quality improvement tool. -
Practice paper
Does labelling racism as bullying perpetuate a colour-blind approach when working with culturally diverse families?
Amanda Kemperman, Emerging MindsThis resource examines the significant impacts faced by children and families when subjected to racism, particularly when it is acknowledged and addressed within the context of bullying. It offers practical strategies to help practitioners further develop their culturally responsive practice approaches. -
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.