News

Communities of Practice: Restoration in Practice

March 12, 2026

Restoration in Practice

Restoration is often the preferred permanency goal, but translating policy into practice can be complex. This Community of Practice brings practitioners together to explore restoration through a real-world scenario, unpacking decision-making, engagement with parents, and balancing risk with the goal of reunification.

Participants will reflect on practical strategies for supporting families, navigating setbacks, and maintaining a restoration focus while ensuring children’s safety and wellbeing.

Communities of Practice: Preparing Young People for Independence

March 10, 2026

Preparing Young People for Independence
What actually helps young people transition out of care? In this Community of Practice, practitioners explore a real-life scenario to unpack the practical steps, conversations and supports that help young people move toward independence with confidence. Share insights, reflect on practice, and learn from others working through similar challenges.

Communities of Practice: Conversations We Avoid

March 10, 2026

Conversations We Avoid
Some conversations are difficult but they are often the most important. In this Community of Practice, practitioners work through a scenario involving challenging discussions with parents, carers or young people. Together we explore practical ways to approach sensitive topics, strengthen communication, and support respectful, honest dialogue in practice.

Communities of Practice: Working with Aboriginal Children and Families

December 2, 2025

Working with Aboriginal Children and Families

Communities of Practice: Working with Men

June 20, 2025

Working with Men

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice (CoP), participants will explore how fathers can positively influence their children’s upbringing and become the nurturing caregivers and role models they always intended to be. The focus will be on practical strategies for engaging men in meaningful change, helping them foster healthy, supportive relationships with their children. Additionally, the CoP will address the critical issue of working with fathers who use violence, offering practice approaches that practitioners can learn from. Key elements include:

– Supporting fathers in becoming the positive influence they aspire to be
– Identifying and managing family violence
– Ensuring safety for both professionals and families
– Using effective communication to facilitate meaningful interactions.

Communities of Practice: Keeping Siblings Connected

June 20, 2025

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice, participants will discuss the importance of keeping siblings connected and the impact of disconnection, and how to navigate the best interests of children as siblings and individually.

Communities of Practice: Preparing for Court

March 3, 2025

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice, participants will discuss what casework needs to be completed and evidenced before attending court for final orders. Key elements include:

• Challenges when family finding
• Cultural identification and planning
• Case history and quality documentation

Communities of Practice: Working with Men

February 19, 2025

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice (CoP), participants will explore how fathers can positively influence their children’s upbringing and become the nurturing caregivers and role models they always intended to be. The focus will be on practical strategies for engaging men in meaningful change, helping them foster healthy, supportive relationships with their children. Additionally, the CoP will address the critical issue of working with fathers who use violence, offering practice approaches that practitioners can learn from. Key elements include:

– Supporting fathers in becoming the positive influence they aspire to be
– Identifying and managing family violence
– Ensuring safety for both professionals and families
– Using effective communication to facilitate meaningful interactions.

Communities of Practice: Preparing for Court

November 13, 2024

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice, participants will discuss what casework needs to be completed and evidenced before attending court for final orders. Key elements include:

• Challenges when family finding
• Cultural identification and planning
• Case history and quality documentation

Communities of Practice: Challenges Working with Birth Families

September 27, 2024

Communities of Practice aims to improve the lives and outcomes of children and families by creating a space for practitioners to come together and explore difficult practice issues within the Permanency Support Program.

In this Communities of Practice, participants will explore the conundrums that surround working with birth families of children in long term care. Using a deidentified case study, we will discuss challenges such as working with birth parents who are not supportive of their child’s placement and when children don’t want to attend family time.