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June 2025
Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account.
Article 12, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Amplifying the voices of children and young people
We’re excited to launch the Voice of the Child Toolkit and showcase how we are working across the Centre to ensure that children are meaningfully involved in matters that concern them. Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming webinar which will unpack the toolkit and apply it to policy and practice contexts.
This edition features:
- a case study from our Hearing Research team asking children who are deaf or hard of hearing what outcomes matter to them
- an example of children co-authoring a publication on a health and wellbeing questionnaire co-designed by children, parents and clinicians
- a reflection on focus groups with 65 primary school students to understand what they know about mental health and wellbeing support at school
- the latest post in our Reflections on relational practice blog series, exploring how we can give space to children’s voices, especially when they come without words.
The Voice of the Child Toolkit
The Voice of the Child project began in July 2023 and Stage 3 is currently underway. The toolkit is an interactive online resource for service providers, facilitators, researchers and clinicians.
Piloting the Voice of the Child Toolkit across Australia
We have partnered with Polyglot Theatre and the Minderoo Foundation to test the Voice of the Child toolkit in early education settings across Australia. Read more.
What is Restacking the Odds?
The new video from Restacking the Odds (RSTO) provides an overview of the project, the collaborative partnership at its centre, and the experiences of implementing RSTO in early childhood education and care. Watch the video.
Focus groups with deaf and hard of hearing children
We’re addressing the gap in child-led research in paediatric hearing healthcare. Read more.
Making healthcare better for kids
Health is about more than the symptoms of a specific condition – it's also about how a child is feeling emotionally and how their condition affects their daily life. Read more.
Upcoming course: Child Public Health
Join a dynamic week-long Master’s unit exploring child health, key influences, and public health strategies through real-world examples, critical thinking, and collaborative learning. Read more.
Meaningful inclusion in Child and Family Hubs
The National Child and Family Hubs Network has recently created a role focused on involving children and families in the Network. Read more.
Listening beyond words
The latest piece in our Reflections on Relational Practice series explores how we can give space to children’s voices, especially when they come without words. Read more.
Hearing and valuing young voices
Our work with the Voice of the Child toolkit will help services deepen their insights into young children’s needs, perspectives and experience to foster more inclusive and responsive approaches. Read more.
What do students know about mental health and wellbeing?
In 2023, the Mental Health in Primary Schools team conducted focus groups with 65 primary school students from 14 schools. Read more.
Webinar recording: The 'Glue'
‘Glue’ describes the leadership, coordination and relationships that ensures that Child and Family Hubs deliver high-quality, joined-up care. Watch our latest webinar to hear from a parent about what the glue looks like in action. Watch now.
MHiPS expands to Queensland
We are pleased to announce a new pilot of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative in Mount Isa, Queensland. Read more.
Calling all parents and carers
Raising Children Network is looking for parents and carers to be part of its new Parent and Carer Panel to shape parenting information, resources and activities. Read more.
The Equity Crisis in Early Childhood. 19 May, Learning for Well-being Institute.
Educational disadvantage begins at two for children who cannot access child care. 9 April, ABC News.
Frankly, prevention is best. 25 May, Michael Carr-Gregg.
Why young children need mental health assistance. 21 April, The Herald Sun.
Paediatric care in general practice: Case mix, referral patterns and healthcare costs. June 2025, Australian Journal of General Practice.
“If we ask, we must act”: co-designing the implementation of a Paediatric Patient Reported Outcome Measure in routine hospital outpatient care. May 2025, Quality of Life Research.
Feasibility and Acceptability of Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinators in Australian Primary Schools: A Mixed-Methods Study. May 2025, School Mental Health.
Health Justice Partnership: An opportunity to respond to childhood adversity. March 2025, International Journal of Integrated Care.
Upcoming course dates
27 June Integrating Mental Health into Paediatric Health Care (online) Register
23-30 July Child Public Health (in-person) Register
1 August Relational Practice (online) Register
4 & 11 August Engaging Families (online) Register
7 & 14 August Difficult Conversations (online) Register
28 August & 4 September Working in Partnership with Families (online) Register
eLearning courses
Infant Sleep Enrol
Laying the Foundations Enrol
Let's Read Enrol
Ask us about our customised training options. Email us at training.ccch@rch.org.au
