Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

Heading to the 2024 Early Childhood Australia National Conference? We'll see you there!
Come and chat with the teams from ARACY, Thriving Kids Partnership Queensland and the Queensland Brain Institute about health and wellbeing in the Early Years at Booth 133.
Find out more and register here: https://hubs.la/Q02Q4b2r0

🚨 Social Media Ban Won't Make Platforms Safe for Young People 🚨
At ARACY, we stand with Australia’s leading mental health organisations in calling for evidence-based solutions to online safety. While we understand the concerns parents and carers have about social media's impact on young people, a blanket ban is not the answer.

Did you know that 73% of young people use social media for mental health support, with many relying on it as a substitute for professional care? Cutting off access to these platforms will only isolate young people further, especially in an already overstretched mental health system.

💡 Instead of banning, we need real reforms:
- Co-designing safety features with young people
- Limiting harmful ‘sticky features’ like infinite scroll
- Social media literacy programs for under-16s
- More support for parents and carers
- Giving users control to reset their algorithms
- Verified mental health information

This is a complex issue, but by working together we can create safer, healthier spaces online for our youth without cutting them off from crucial support.

Read the press release here: https://hubs.la/Q02PB_jq0

✅ Finally, Australia's leaders have acknowledged the devastating role alcohol plays in men's violence against women. Just three months ago, this was absent from the conversation. The shift we see today is the result of dedicated advocacy by so many, and it’s critical for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Following the National Cabinet meeting on gender-based violence, the Prime Minister highlighted four priority areas:
1️⃣ Supporting frontline services
2️⃣ Focusing on perpetrators to stop violence
3️⃣ Providing more support for children and young people impacted by violence
4️⃣ Tackling the impact of alcohol on violence

Children and young people are often the hidden victims of family violence, and alcohol frequently plays a role in escalating harm. By committing to review state and territory alcohol laws, governments are acknowledging the need for real change to protect vulnerable young lives.

Together with the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and other signatories of the open letter urging National Cabinet to address alcohol’s role in men’s violence against women, we welcome this announcement and are committed to working with governments to drive meaningful alcohol reform. We will continue advocating for broader changes through the federal inquiry into alcohol and other drugs to ensure young people have safe, supportive environments to thrive.

Together, we can build a future where every child is safe from harm and has the opportunity to thrive.

Read the open letter here: https://hubs.la/Q02PfVWd0

Go red for FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) awareness this September!👠👟🧦
This September FARE Australia (Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education) are encouraging Australians to wear red shoes or socks throughout the month, to spark conversations and create an understanding about this largely invisible and preventable disability.
Share your photos of your red shoes or socks to show your support!
To help us raise awareness of FASD and find out more, visit: https://hubs.la/Q02P3xZ70

This week is National Child Protection Week, and the theme is “Every Conversation Matters.”

ARACY supports this important initiative, which aims to engage, educate, and empower Australians to understand the complexities of child abuse and neglect and work together to prevent it.

Through a series of free webinars, events, and resources, Napcan encourages communities to have meaningful conversations about children’s safety and wellbeing.

Let's create an Australia where all children and young people can thrive.

For more information about the webinars and how you can get involved, visit https://www.napcan.org.au/ncpw/.

We are proud to support the Thrive by Five QLD Alliance’s Cairns Early Years Community Forum held tonight on Nguma-Bada campus at JCU.
JCU: James Cook University, Australia
Minderoo Foundation
Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth

QFCC Youth Summit speaker Alice participated in a panel discussion at the 'Harnessing Neuroscience and Operationalising Resilience in Clinical Practice' workshop! 🌟

She shared her valuable insights and lived experience with health care services in Queensland, emphasising the importance of consultation, collaboration, and being seen beyond her illness.

With over 100 attendees both in person and online, the event highlighted the critical role of listening to young people's experiences and implementing evidence-based practices. Our team was there in full support, including Engagement Support Officer Jessy, QFCC Youth Advocate Charles, and Senior Partnerships Officer Naomi.

It was an amazing event and a great reminder of how important it is to listen to young people and their experiences and use evidence-based practices!

Thank you to Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership and the Queensland Child and Youth Clinical Network for hosting the workshop.

Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth Children's Health Queensland

SAVE THE DATE - NEW ARACY WEBINARS
➡ UNICEF Australia - Learning: A deeper look at AI in education.
📅 Tuesday, 24th September at 1.00 pm
🔗 Register now: https://hubs.la/Q02MtWD50

➡ The Early Years Catalyst - Built to win.
📅 Wednesday, 25th September at 1.00 pm
🔗 Register now: https://hubs.la/Q02MtMNN0

Read more ⬇

UNICEF Australia - Learning: A deeper look at AI in education.
Join us for an insightful webinar on AI and education!

On Tuesday, 24th September at 1.00 pm, ARACY and UNICEF Australia will take a deeper look into the future of learning as we explore The Digital Divide and Generative AI in our upcoming webinar. This event is part of our ongoing series examining The Nest’s wellbeing domains, following the release of The Wellbeing of Australia’s Children index.

We’re thrilled to have Dr. Kelly Stephens, Director of Edtech and Education Policy at UTS Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion, leading the discussion. She'll be joined by two UNICEF Australia Youth Ambassadors, who will share their experiences and insights on how AI can bridge the digital divide in education.

The Early Years Catalyst - Built to win.
The Early Years Catalyst emerged from the National Early Years Summit of 2020 - a collective of organisations determined to ignite systems change in the early years. They didn’t want to create another entity in an already crowded field, instead wanted to leverage the strength across all respective organisations into something greater than we could achieve alone.

In this webinar, members of the Early Years Catalyst—including Emma Sydenham from Social Ventures Australia, Dan Leach-McGill from The Front Project, and Diana Harris from ARACY—will discuss the progress made over the past four years in building capability and addressing knowledge gaps in the child development field. Co-chairs Jane Hunt and Penny Dakin, along with Social Ventures Australia's Suzie Riddell, will also reflect on the journey of sparking, growing, and planning the next steps for this transformative collaboration.

UNICEF Australia

Social Ventures Australia
The Front Project

We're excited to share that the Australian Government is launching a new Parents and Carers Reference Group (PCRG) as part of the Early Years Strategy 2024–2034! This group is a vital step in ensuring that the voices of parents and caregivers are heard when it comes to supporting our youngest children.

Key Highlights:

🗣️ Have Your Say: The PCRG will provide parents and caregivers from diverse backgrounds across Australia with a direct line to the government to share their experiences, insights, and ideas on how to better support children aged 0-12 and their families.

📅 Regular Meetings: The group will meet at least three times a year, with additional opportunities to review materials, provide feedback, and participate in engagement activities.

🌍 Diverse Membership: The PCRG will include around 20 members from various regions and backgrounds, including those living in regional, rural, and remote areas, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, sole parents, foster/kinship parents, and individuals with lived experience of disability.

💼 Compensated Participation: Parents and caregivers appointed to the group will be compensated for their time and any travel expenses incurred while attending meetings.

🎯 Focus on Child Wellbeing: The PCRG is a direct response to Priority Focus Area 1 of the Strategy: Value the Early Years - Embed the voices of children and their families.

We believe that every child deserves the best start in life, and the PCRG is a key part of making that a reality. If you're passionate about children's wellbeing and want to contribute to shaping the future of Australia's youngest citizens, this is your opportunity!

Together, let's value the early years and make a difference for children and families across Australia.

Find out more
Quick read:https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/08_2024/pcrg-easy-read-factsheet_0.pdf

Full details:
https://www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children-programs-services-early-years-strategy/parents-and-carers-reference-group

At our June Building Resilience conference, Michelle Cole from Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership and the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) shared how the work of the AFWI is being translated on her continent. She highlighted how the Resilience Scale Framework operates at the individual, organization, and systems level—all of which are deeply interconnected and equally necessary to creating large-scale change.

If you would like to learn more and are based in Australia, especially Queensland, we invite you to register for our upcoming virtual Resilience Scale Masterclass on August 27th from 9am-11:30am Queensland time (register at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYufuqqpjgjG9efzQ5tTKxdJuKatpBm6mUW)

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Our CEO Prue Warrilow and Company Secretary Roslyn Dundas are in Adelaide this week for the Philanthropy Australia Conference. Say hi if you get the opportunity.

Prue met with Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth today in her offices to chat about how ARACY contributes to helping all Australian children and young people to thrive.

This caps off a whirlwind first month at ARACY for Prue meeting with key stakeholders across the ECEC and Youth sectors. This includes productive conversations with other government representatives, including Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth, Dr. Anne Aly.

We're excited about the positive momentum and look forward to sharing more updates on Prue's journey and ARACY's work in the coming months as we continue to ensure every Australian child and young person thrives!

🌟 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day 🌟

Today, we celebrate the strength, culture, and identity of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. At ARACY, we're dedicated to ensuring all children and young people have the opportunity to thrive. The Nest, Australia's wellbeing framework, developed by ARACY, guides us in supporting the health and wellbeing of every child, recognising the importance of:

💙 Loved and Safe: Nurturing environments where children feel secure and cherished.

🏡 Material Basics: Access to essential resources and opportunities.

🎓 Learning: Lifelong learning and cultural knowledge.

🚶‍♀️ Healthy: Physical, mental, and spiritual health.

🤝 Participation: Voices heard and valued in their communities.

🌱 Positive Sense of Identity and Culture: Celebrating and fostering cultural connections.

Join us in honouring the unique strengths and rich cultural heritage of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Together, we can build a brighter future where all children and young people thrive!
🖤💛❤️ 💚💙🖤

Don't miss our upcoming webinar - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: https://hubs.la/Q02JwvGH0
Thursday 1st August 11am
The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently revealed new data that 391,300 young people aged under 25 were unpaid carers in 2022, an increase from 235,300 in 2018.

Young carers, aged up to 25, provide unpaid care and support to family members dealing with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health issues, substance abuse, or old age. They balance schoolwork with caregiving, manage household tasks while offering emotional support, and navigate complex healthcare systems. Many young carers experience isolation, stress, and make significant sacrifices in their daily lives.

Shanelle Beazley, Tara Stevens, and Jessica Dallish from The Benevolent Society's Carer Gateway program will be joining us for this webinar to discuss how to identify young carers, share insights from case studies and personal experiences about the challenges young carers face, and provide information about the support services available through Carer Gateway.

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: https://hubs.la/Q02JwvGH0

𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮s 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀? 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 - 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀

📅 Thu, 01 Aug
⏲ 11:00 - 12:00 AEST
📌 Online

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently revealed new data that 391,300 young people aged under 25 were unpaid carers in 2022, an increase from 235,300 in 2018.

Young carers, aged up to 25, provide unpaid care and support to family members dealing with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health issues, substance abuse, or old age. They balance schoolwork with caregiving, manage household tasks while offering emotional support, and navigate complex healthcare systems. Many young carers experience isolation, stress, and make significant sacrifices in their daily lives.

Shanelle Beazley, Tara Stevens, and Jessica Dallish from The Benevolent Society's Carer Gateway program will be joining us for this webinar to discuss how to identify young carers, share insights from case studies and personal experiences about the challenges young carers face, and provide information about the support services available through Carer Gateway.

𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: 24b6aba1-9cb6-4afd-b932-47de2abcd675@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/24b6aba1-9cb6-4afd-b932-47de2abcd675@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86

ARACY - Shining a Light on FASD: Why Our Young People Need Support
The justice system isn't equipped for children with FASD. Let's change that.
A recent article in Guardian Australia exposed the heartbreaking reality for young people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the justice system. These vulnerable children often lack proper diagnosis and support, leading to a cycle of punishment and misunderstanding.
Read the Guardian's article here: https://hubs.la/Q02HbKdr0


Last year ARACY hosted a webinar with the NOFASD Australia: Shining a light on a hidden disability.

In this webinar, you can learn more about FASD as we discuss how raising awareness of FASD can reduce stigma, help prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies and promote early recognition to support children, young people and their families towards better outcomes.
View the recording here: https://hubs.la/Q02HbPry0

What is FASD?
FASD is a brain disorder caused by alcohol exposure in the womb. It can lead to a range of challenges, including:
- Difficulty learning and remembering
- Poor impulse control
- Sensory processing issues

Why are so many children with FASD in trouble?
Children with FASD may struggle to understand right from wrong or control their behaviour. Without proper support, they can end up in the justice system.

What can we do?
✔ Early screening and diagnosis: Identifying FASD early allows for targeted interventions and support.
✔ Education and awareness: Justice professionals, families, and communities need to understand FASD.
✔ Support for families: Caring for a child with FASD can be challenging. Families need resources and training.

What else can we do for children in the justice system?
Currently, children as young as 10 can be held criminally responsible and detained in facilities that are utterly unfit for their needs. The Raise the Age campaign advocates for raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, in line with international human rights standards, and ensuring that children in conflict with the law are treated with dignity and provided with appropriate care and support.
Find out more here: https://hubs.la/Q02HbL7j0

Together, we can create a brighter future where all children and young people thrive!

Recent reports by Guardian Australia and SBS's The Feed about children in Queensland’s adult police watch houses are disturbing and unacceptable. These are not isolated cases but signs of systemic failure to protect vulnerable children.

A girl with severe intellectual disabilities was inhumanely treated in a freezing isolation cell, leading to self-harm. A boy, struggling to breathe in an overcrowded cell, received no immediate medical help. Such treatment would be criminal if done by parents or teachers, yet law enforcement acts with impunity.This double standard is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately.

The Raise the Age campaigns advocate for increasing the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, ensuring children are treated with dignity. The Queensland Government’s suspension of its Human Rights Act for extended child detention undermines justice and human rights.

We must ask ourselves: if we genuinely care about our children, why do we allow them to be treated in ways that would be deemed criminal if done by a parent or teacher? It is time for a fundamental shift in how we approach youth justice in Australia. We must prioritise prevention, rehabilitation, care, and proven community support over punitive measures that only serve to harm and retraumatise vulnerable children.

ARACY stands with the families, advocates, and human rights organisations calling for urgent reforms. We urge all levels of government to listen to these calls and act to protect the rights and futures of our children. Raising the age of criminal responsibility is a crucial step in this direction, ensuring that no child is subjected to the kind of abuse and neglect that has been so starkly highlighted.
Together, we can and must do better.



Please email the Queensland Premier Steven Miles and ask him to get Queensland children out of watch houses.
https://hubs.la/Q02Hbzy-0

We're thrilled to introduce Simon Factor as the new Executive Convenor for the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children! 🎉

“I am excited to be joining the Investment Dialogue, an ambitious and long-term initiative to disrupt intergenerational disadvantage and shape a future where all children and young people thrive. The investment dialogue is a unique opportunity, bringing philanthropy, government and community together to build the collaborative muscle to work differently and demonstrate how significant and tangible change can be achieved. I am looking forward to working closely with our partners across the country to collectively bring the promise of the dialogue to life.”

Simon brings a wealth of experience from his time at the NSW Government's Department of Education, where he led a multi-disciplinary team supporting early childhood reform. His impressive track record in government, private, and not-for-profit sectors and his expertise in both large-scale and place-based systems change make him the perfect fit to lead the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children.

We're excited to see the impact Simon will have on shaping a brighter future for all Australian children.

Visit the Investment Dialogue for Australia’s Children to find out more: https://hubs.la/Q02H1dyV0

At ARACY, we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three children in Sydney’s western suburbs, a heartbreaking event highlighting the devastating impact of family violence.

National Children’s Commissioner Anne Hollonds emphasises that children are not mere witnesses to domestic, family, and sexual violence—they are victims in their own right. This incident underscores the critical need to recognise and address the lifelong trauma children endure from such violence.

A recent ANROWS report revealed that intimate partner and family violence are significant risk factors for filicides in Australia. Alarmingly, in many cases involving domestic violence, children are often not reported as victims to authorities.

Commissioner Hollonds rightly points out that serious efforts to end violence against women must include a focus on stopping violence experienced in childhood. This hidden prevention opportunity has been overlooked for far too long.

As we advocate for women’s safety, we must also prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children at a national level. Despite decades of evidence, the current lack of accountability and urgency for change is unacceptable.
At ARACY, we call for a national commitment to protect our children and ensure their safety and wellbeing.
It’s time to make a real change.

Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02GSNgV0

In 2022 391,300 young people under the age of 25 were unpaid carers.
They balance significant responsibilities and often face isolation and stress.
In our upcoming webinar join Shanelle Beazley, Tara Stevens, and Jessica Dallish from The Benevolent Society's Carer Gateway program to learn how to identify and support young carers through insights, case studies, and available services.

👉 Empowering young carers: Support, Challenges & Resources
📅 Thu, 01 Aug
⏲ 11:00 - 12:00 AEST
📌 Online

Find out more and register here: 24b6aba1-9cb6-4afd-b932-47de2abcd675@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/24b6aba1-9cb6-4afd-b932-47de2abcd675@486f2bc3-1b04-465b-b923-d28832372a86

391,300 young people aged under 25 were unpaid carers in 2022, an increase from 235,300 in 2018.

New data from the Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers is available now.

Find out more: https://nuvi.me/zga1gc

At ARACY, we believe every child deserves the best start in life, and that includes nurturing their mental health from the early years.

Here are some key ways to be mindful of children's mental wellbeing:
💙 Create a Safe Space: Ensure children feel safe and secure at home. A consistent routine and clear boundaries can help provide stability.
💙 Encourage Open Communication: Let children know expressing their feelings is okay. Listen without judgment and validate their emotions.
💙 Promote Healthy Habits: Balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and sufficient sleep are vital for mental health. Encourage outdoor play and family activities.
💙 Limit Screen Time: Be mindful of the time children spend on screens. Encourage offline activities that stimulate creativity and social interaction.
💙 Model Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness and stress-relief techniques together. Activities like deep breathing, meditation, or simply spending time in nature can be beneficial.

Remember, being present and attentive to children's needs can make a world of difference.

Let's work together to support our children's mental health and wellbeing so all children and young people can thrive! 💙

Hear from Developmental paediatrician, Dr Billy Garvey on his tips for caring for kids and their mental wellbeing.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-10/how-to-be-mindful-of-kids-mental-wellbeing/104080652
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