Working out the why: Addressing the unmet needs of children who are experiencing school attendance difficulties

Participation in out-of-home care (OOHC) emerges from the basic rights of children to influence the decisions that impact their lives. It includes concepts such as listening to children’s voices and children being heard. ‘Meaningful participation’ refers to the involvement of children in ways that genuinely consider and include their views and experiences in decision-making about their lives. Developed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), our latest short article outlines some of the ways practitioners and service providers can support children in OOHC to meaningfully participate in decisions that affect them.

This short article outlines why engaging in meaningful participation with children in out-of-home care is central to supporting their wellbeing and respecting their right to participate.

This short article provides information on the Early Years Strategy 2024–2034, including the key values and aims, how it was developed, and what this might mean for practitioners and professionals working with children aged 0–5 years and their families.