Stay informed with the latest in the child and family sector. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
View in browser
families-in-focus-newsletter-header-banner

Message from the Chief Executive Officer

Preparations for Families Week are well underway, and it has been fantastic to see the response so far. Already we are approaching 100 registered events so if you are planning an event, now is the time to register. Sign up by 27 April to guarantee delivery of your free merchandise – choose from A2 posters and pencils, along with beach balls and temporary tattoos, which are new for 2026. Families Week is all about recognising the vital role families play in strong, connected communities, and we are looking forward to seeing the many ways it will be celebrated this year.

 

On the policy front, Families Australia, together with the National Foster Care Sustainability Group, lodged a submission to the Inquiry into the operation and adequacy of the National Employment Standards. This submission highlights the pressures facing statutory kinship and foster carers and reiterates the group’s call for equitable leave entitlements.

 

Last Sunday’s International Women’s Day was also a moment to reflect on the extraordinary leadership and contribution of women across the child and family sector. I continue to learn from, and be inspired by, the many talented and dedicated women across the Families Australia team and Board whose work continues to shape our impact.

 

Finally, I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable contribution of Pat Turner AM, who is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Her leadership has strengthened the authority of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and delivered lasting, community-led improvements in health and wellbeing for families and children across Australia.

jamie-crosby-signature

Jamie Crosby

Chief Executive Officer

families-week-2026-banner-1

Sector Snapshot

Majority of Indigenous workers face racism at work, new report finds

NIT, 11 March 2026

 

Victorian reforms strengthen safety, stability and support for children in care

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, 6 March 2026

 

Geopolitical conflicts and unrest impacting the mental health of people in Australia

National Mental Health Commission, 3 March 2026

 

NSW unveils sweeping foster care reforms for thousands of vulnerable children

ABC News, 1 March 2026

 

National Child Safety Training Now Mandatory for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Sector

ACECQA, 27 February 2026

Latest Publications

stories-that-matter

Stories that matter: learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s experiences of the criminal legal system

 

Australian Institute of Criminology

5 March 2026

READ REPORT

snapshot-children-with-disability-australia

Snapshot of children and young people with disability in Australia – Key statistics report

 

Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)

March 2026

READ REPORT

child-protection-practice

Practitioners’ perspectives on enablers of improved mental health outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care: Beyond a “scattergun approach”

 

Child Protection and Practice

22 January 2026

READ REPORT

current-opinion-in-psychology

Accumulation of violence and victimisation: Why it matters to measure broadly and account for different harm types

 

Current Opinion in Psychology

14 January 2026

READ REPORT

child-abuse-neglect

Childhood experiences of domestic violence and health service utilisation

 

Child Abuse & Neglect

13 January 2026

READ REPORT

families-australia-nes-submission

Submission to the Inquiry into the Operational and Adequacy of the National Employment Standards

 

Families Australia

27 February 2026

READ ARTICLE

Find more at Australian Policy Online and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Upcoming Events

18-20 Mar 2026

The First Nations Therapeutic Responses Summit 2026: Creating a Space for Innovation

KWY

In person – Adelaide Oval, South Australia, Kaurna Country

25 Mar 2026

Training: Leading for cultural connection

Australian Childhood Foundation

Online

VIEW ALL EVENTS

Engagement Opportunities

surveys-icon

Surveys

Have Your Say: Regulatory Options for Counsellors and Psychotherapists

Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Survey closes 20 March 2026

Neighbours Every Day – 2026 Social Connection Survey

Relationships Australia

Survey closes 27 March 2026

research-icon

Research

Exploring caregivers’ needs while waiting for their adolescent’s mental health treatment

Flinders University

For adult parents/caregivers of a teen aged 13-17 years who is currently waiting (or has waiting more than two weeks in the past three months) for their first appointment with a mental health professional or service provider

inquiries-icon

Inquiries

Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Submissions due 1 May 2026

Help shape how the NDIS works for First Nations children and young people

Register your interest

VIEW ALL OPPORTUNITIES

Not a member of Families Australia?

Join a national network working together to advocate for stronger policies, provide critical resources and build a supportive community for families nationwide.

BECOME A MEMBER

If you would like to contribute to Families In Focus, we welcome relevant research, news, events and sector opportunities.

Please send items to policy@familiesaustralia.org.au.

aboriginal-flag

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders past and present.

Families Australia, Level 4, 24 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, ACT 2600, Australia

Unsubscribe Manage preferences

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
families-in-focus-footer-banner