Child-aware practice

This course is for any workers wanting to explore ways to implement child-aware practice in their organisation or services. It may be especially useful for professionals and leaders working in adult-focused settings.

As you progress through this course, you will be working towards:

• raising your awareness about how adult issues can potentially impact children

• reflecting on, and working towards, ways of talking with adults about these potential impacts

• extending your thinking as a practitioner and within organisations to consider both children’s needs and parenting needs when engaging with adult clients who are parents.

Following completion of this course you should be able to:

• describe the impact of adult issues on children’s mental health, development and overall wellbeing

• understand how child-aware practice can influence child outcomes

• develop effective skills for exploring parenting issues and the needs of children with parents who attend your service.

It is estimated that this course will take you approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete, including reading material, reflection activities and watching videos.

You can undertake the course across multiple sessions at your own pace. The last screen you visit before logging off will be bookmarked, and you will have the option of returning to that screen when you next log in.

This course features videos of fictional parents and family scenarios. As you work through the course, it is important to be aware of your own emotional responses. Please follow the self-care tips below and seek help if needed:

• We do not recommend undertaking the entire course in one sitting. Give yourself some breaks. Even if you don’t feel that you need a break, it’s a good idea to take one anyway and come back later.

• Be aware of your emotions as you progress through the course and take action if you are starting to feel stressed or upset. For example, consider taking a break and doing something for yourself that you enjoy.

• Be aware of your emotional responses after you complete the course.

If at any point you find you are struggling, please talk with your supervisor, seek help, or call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, or SANE Australia on 1800 18 7263.

The Child-aware practice workbook is designed to enhance your learning as you engage with this course. It can also serve as an ongoing tool for you to use either individually or in teams as you continue to engage in child-aware practice.

The workbook contains a series of conversation starters, prompts for reflection, and activities related to the many components of this course. These can be used either individually, in teams, in small workgroups, or across your organisation or service.

This course was originally designed to support the first National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009–2020.¹ It supports the scope of the current framework as well as other national policy objectives.

The 2009–2020 framework was followed by the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031.² The framework’s goal is to reduce child abuse and neglect and their intergenerational impacts by strengthening families, supporting communities and addressing systemic risks to children’s safety and wellbeing. It emphasises prevention, early intervention and culturally safe responses, particularly for children experiencing disadvantage or vulnerability.

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations collectively show that a child safe organisation is one that adopts strategies and takes action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people. A child safe organisation consciously and systematically creates an environment where children’s safety and wellbeing are at the centre of thought, values and actions.

Finally, the Australian Government’s first National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy proposes a shift in the way we think about mental health and wellbeing for children, including:

• a change in language and a shift to understanding we all have a role to play in supporting infant and child mental health

• a greater focus on access to preventative and early intervention services and supports for children and families.³

This course draws on the latest research, clinical insights, and the lived experience of our child and family partners. We would like to thank the professionals and families who played an integral role in shaping this course, generously offering their time, wisdom and unique perspectives.

Watch the following video (2 minutes, 7 seconds) for a quick guide on how to navigate Emerging Minds Learning courses.