News

Online Training: Difficult Conversations in PSP

June 20, 2025

Overview

Difficult conversations will explore knowledge and skills for responding to situations when important, yet difficult conversations are needed in the context of working with clients across the range of permanency support programs. The course will:

• identify the purpose and foundations for engaging in difficult conversations as well as how to address barriers to having meaningful conversations about difficult issues
• provide opportunities to explore strategies and tools that enhance outcomes in partnering with families in difficult conversations that are important to positive outcomes for children and young people.

Online Training: Family Finding

June 20, 2025

This Online session is for all PSP Casework Staff and Leaders.

The session will provide a more detailed, intimate reflective practice space about the challenges you experience around family finding. The PSP Learning Hub training is based on the GROW model.

This training will provide you with practical skills that assists you to reflect on your practice with set goals to reach changes in your day-to-day work that is in line with organizational objectives to increase your knowledge, understanding, and skills in working with children, young people, and families.

Webinar: Session 1- Aboriginal Culture and History

June 20, 2025

“Aboriginal Cultures and Histories provides information and strategies for PSP casework staff to better understand and support Aboriginal children, families, and communities. This webinar focuses on exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and the history of Australia and legislation from an Aboriginal perspective.

Though not mandatory, we recommend enrolling in the next two sessions, held on 9 September and 16 September, Aboriginal Child Protection History and Working with Aboriginal Families and Communities to enhance your understanding and effectiveness in supporting Aboriginal children and families.”

Online Training: Working with Parents

June 20, 2025

Working with Parents

Get ready for an exciting session co-facilitated by a PSP LH facilitator and a parent with lived experience who will share her story and key learnings for practitioners! This session will delve into the pivotal role that parents, extended family, and significant people play in a child’s life, even when the child is in care. We will explore why engaging with these key individuals is often both challenging and critical. Discover the importance of enduring engagement, the processes of rupture and repair, and practical techniques for effective communication. Learn conversation styles that emphasis honesty and transparency, even when difficult, and the essential roles of kindness and empathy. This session also covers creative ways to keep parents and extended family safely connected with their children, fostering lifelong bonds and positive relationships.

Online Training: The Six Steps of Guardianship and Open Adoption

June 20, 2025

This foundation training for inexperienced or new staff will explore permanency planning for children and young people who can’t be restored home. Topics we will cover include:

• the principles of permanency in Permanency Support Program (PSP) focusing on Guardianship, Adoption and Long-Term Care
• casework considerations when planning for permanency
• the process to achieve Guardianship
• the process to achieve Adoption

and provide practical advice on how to approach conversations with children, young people, families and caregivers to help guide them through the permanency process, including supporting the assessment phase of Guardianship and Adoption.

Webinar: Talking with Children and Young People about Permanency

June 20, 2025

Talking with Children and Young People about Permanency:

This training provides PSP casework staff and leaders with skills, resources, and practice approaches to strengthen their confidence in talking with CYP about permanency. The training explores:

• Child development, language, the impact of trauma, and the role of play
• The importance of capturing and respecting a child’s voice and navigating the pursuit of a permanency goal that a CYP has concerns about
• The impact and management of torn loyalties
• Tools, resources, and toys: how to get the best out of your toolkit

Online Training: S149-BK and S163

June 20, 2025

This Coaching session 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.

s149-bk
Participants will discuss how to apply s149-bk of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, how to gather relevant evidence when assessing risk, and how to approach difficult conversations when information levels change.

s163
Participants will discuss how to make the information shared under section 163 of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 meaningful for the important people in a child’s life.

Coaching: Impact and Importance of Play

June 20, 2025

The impact and importance of play

Discover how play is a fundamental tool in building relationships, facilitating healing, and supporting development and connection for children in out-of-home care. Learn how play, as the primary way children communicate, can be the most critical yet often overlooked casework skill. Explore the transformative impact of play on brain development, emotional well-being and healing. This session will equip you with practical strategies to harness the power of play to create meaningful connections.

Coaching: Time Management – Outlook Hacks

June 20, 2025

This coaching session is for all PSP Casework Staff and Leaders.

The session will provide a more detailed, intimate reflective practice space about Outlook hacks to work more effectively in your day-to-day casework. The PSP Learning Hub coaching is based on the GROW model.

Coaching is a trained and practiced skill that assists you to reflect on your practice with set goals to reach changes in your day-to-day work that is in line with organisational objectives to increase your knowledge, understanding, and skills in working with children, young people, and families.

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.