1. Children at risk Discussion starter for staff meetings 14868

2. Purpose This is intended to be a discussion starter for staff to consider ways to build relationships with families and children who may be at risk. It is recommended that you allow approximately 30 minutes for this discussion.

3. What are risk factors? Risk factors may be related to the child, the parent or the family and their circumstances. Risk factors can include: social isolation lack of family or community support parental stress level of parenting skills and/or unrealistic expectations of child development and behaviour parental intellectual disability drug and alcohol misuse mental health issues homelessness and domestic violence

4. Impact of risk factors It is important to note that the presence of one or more risk factors is not necessarily associated with abuse or neglect. Protective factors can also act to mitigate risk factors. Awareness of risk factors can, however, help services to build a picture of a situation in conjunction with known circumstances, observations or disclosures.

5. Improving the prospects for children at risk “When a child is at risk, their situation can sometimes be improved by their enrolment in approved child care, or by maintaining or increasing their participation in approved care.” http://www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood/Resources/Handbook/Part2/ Pages/14_2.aspx

6. Early experiences for children “Early experiences determine whether a child’s developing brain architecture provides a strong or weak foundation for all future learning, behaviour and health.” Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2007)

7. Types of risk A risk may be one that requires a legal response to be taken A risk may be one that does not require a legal response to be taken but still requires action for example: If a teacher has observed injuries to a child. for example: If a teacher observes that a child’s lunches are not nutritious.

8. Discussion What do you already know or currently do to support children who may be at risk? What else can you do to build relationships with families and children? How can you provide leadership within the kindergarten learning and teaching team to advocate strongly for children and families?