Supporting the mental health of children living in out-of-home care

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), Australia, November 2024

Related to Foster care and out of home care

In this webinar co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN), our interdisciplinary panel of experts explore how practitioners can support the mental health of children living in out-of-home care.

Facilitated by Nicole Rollbusch (Practice Development Officer, Emerging Minds), the panel includes:

Kate Headley (speech pathologist)
Candice Butler (child protection social worker)
Felicity Kime (peer worker/child and family partner).

Slides Case study Panel bios Supporting resources

Discover more resources

Fact sheet

Out-of-home care: Talking about mental illness with children in your care

Emerging Minds

Talking to the children in your care about their parent's mental illness can help them make meaning of their family's situation, remove stigma and let them know they can talk to you when they need support.
Online Course

Supporting children’s mental health in out-of-home care

Online Course

This course develops practitioners' understanding of how children's mental health and wellbeing are impacted by the experience of removal and placement in out-of-home care.
Online Course

Walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care

Online Course

This course provides non-Aboriginal practitioners with tangible examples of how the domains of social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) can be applied to equip Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.
Practitioners Podcast

Building connections in the out-of-home sector

Sue-Anne Hunter

Runtime

00:35:48

Released

30/5/21
Families Podcast

Looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care

Meryl Klimczak

Runtime

00:26:15

Released

19/5/23
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: July 2025

Prepared by AIFS

The July 2025 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 that presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: June 2025

Prepared by AIFS

The June 2025 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 that presents the key messages and highlights. Links to abstracts, full-text articles and related resources, where available, are provided.
Short article

Why meaningful participation for children in out-of-home care is essential

Joanna Schwarzman, Kristel Alla and Hilary Miller, Australian Institute of Family Studies

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.
Webinar

Child-centred approaches to supporting children in out-of-home care

Child Family Community Australia & Emerging Minds

Co-produced with Child Family Community Australia (CFCA), this webinar outlines practical ways to prioritise the voices of children in OOHC that can support their mental health and wellbeing. It includes perspectives and advice specific to those working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: June 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This June 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.
Research summary

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2024

Prepared by AIFS

This April 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.
Webinar

Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care through a culturally safe framework

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN)

Co-produced with the Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN), this webinar provides strategies to help practitioners deliver therapeutic responses within a culturally safe framework, supporting the social and emotional wellbeing needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care.

Supporting the mental health of children living in out-of-home care

Emerging Minds and Mental Health Professionals' Network (MHPN), Australia, November 2024

Discover more resources

Out-of-home care: Talking about mental illness with children in your care

Supporting children’s mental health in out-of-home care

Walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care

Building connections in the out-of-home sector

Looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children in out-of-home care

Highlights in child mental health research: July 2025

Highlights in child mental health research: June 2025

Why meaningful participation for children in out-of-home care is essential

Child-centred approaches to supporting children in out-of-home care

Highlights in child mental health research: June 2024

Highlights in child mental health research: April 2024

Working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care through a culturally safe framework