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Practice paper
Child-focused practice in social work: Beginning the naming journey when family and domestic violence is present
Dan Moss, Mia Mandara and Sarah WendtFlinders Social Work Innovation Research Living Space (SWIRLS) conducted a literature review which highlighted the need for specific child-focused skills for engagement with parents affected by FDV as part of undergraduate social work teaching. This follows contemporary research highlighting the prevalence of parents and children who are affected by violence presenting to generalist services. This paper is the first in a series co-authored by Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health and SWIRLS, examining social work skills, understandings and competencies crucial for child-focused conversations with parents affected by FDV. -
Practice paper
Child-focused social work practice in the context of family and domestic violence: Understanding the impact of male violence
Priscilla Dunk-West and Sarah Wendt, Flinders UniversityThis resource examines male violence and its impact on families – specifically, women and their children. It highlights the importance of research-informed social work intervention that is child-centred and safety-focused and outlines some of the complexities in working with mothers and children who are experiencing violence, and with men who perpetrate FDV. -
Practice paper
Child-focused work with families affected by domestic violence: Skills, values and knowledge requirements for social work students
Priscilla Dunk-West and Sarah Wendt, Flinders UniversityThis paper, written for social work students and their educators and supervisors, outlines the skills, values and knowledge required for social work students to work effectively with children in families affected by family and domestic violence (FDV). -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: October 2024
Prepared by AIFSThis October 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
Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster
Emerging MindsThis resource focuses on how to look after your own wellbeing as a practitioner or worker when supporting children and families after a disaster. -
Research summary
Highlights in child mental health research: September 2024
Prepared by AIFSThis September 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
Play and creative expression
Emerging MindsThis resource demonstrates the importance of encouraging play and creative expression to help children unpack, explore and process difficult experiences like disaster. Creative expression is encouraged as a way for children to communicate about complex emotions and feelings, especially when they might be difficult to articulate verbally -
Practice paper
Support networks
Emerging MindsIn addition to the support of extended family, friends and the learning community, responses from governments and specialist mental health services plus digital resources are important to the successful recovery of children and families after a disaster. -
Practice paper
Routines and predictability
Emerging MindsRe-establishing routines and setting boundaries and expectations are important for restoring children's sense of stability and safety after a disaster, especially when they have to spend time away from their parents or home. -
Practice paper
Emotional regulation
Emerging MindsThis resource explains the importance of connection, emotional literacy and environment in helping children feel safe, and how regulation can be achieved through the body using sensory- and movement-based exercises, along with fun, relaxing and mindfulness activities. -
Practice paper
Child–adult relationships
Emerging MindsFollowing a disaster it's common for children to experience increased separation anxiety. This resources explores how parents can help children to develop safe relationships with other caring adults. -
Practice paper
Communication and meaning-making
Emerging MindsThis resource offers strategies to support children in making sense of their experiences and process their feelings to help reduce distress, and prevent trauma and mental health difficulties.