The #THRIVE2022 National Permanency Conference returns for its 6th year this 2022!

International and local experts, professionals, government, the child welfare sector, carers and those with lived experience gather to discuss creating better outcomes for the 46,212 children and young people in out-of-home care across the country.

The conference will be held from October 25 to 27 and will hear updates from governments around the country on their commitment to permanency as well as facilitating national roundtables where delegates can participate and share their views.

“This year we have the addition of a third conference day to focus on providing trauma-informed educational settings. With the increase of children and young people exposed to trauma, it is becoming increasingly important for educators to be aware of the impacts in the classroom,” said Adopt Change CEO Renee Carter.

This year’s theme is Supporting Children and Young People to #THRIVE and includes the addition of a third day to focus on trauma-informed education.

#THRIVE2022 will include a live conversation on trauma and education, with world-renowned speakers such as Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD and Dr Gabor Maté. Perry is an active teacher, researcher and clinician in children’s mental health, working on the impact of abuse, neglect and trauma on the developing brain.

Dr Gabor Maté is an expert on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship between stress and illness.

“We know that permanency is critical to a child’s development and future prospects. Ideally, we’d like to see children remain at home with their family, however when it is not safe or viable to do so, we need to consider other timely options suited to the best interest of each child,” added Carter.

She highlighted that children deserve to grow up in safe, nurturing and stable home-based care rather than languish in the system.

“The conference provides the opportunity for governments to update on their progress to prioritising permanency and appropriate supports for these children, as well as allowing delegates to hear global best practice in this space.”

Taking into account the importance of conducting critical discussions on children’s well-being, the conference has added extended it’s usually conference schedule and added a third day to focus on providing trauma-informed educational settings.

“With the increase of children and young people exposed to trauma, it is becoming increasingly important for educators to be aware of the impacts in the classroom,” said Carter.

A few topics of discussion during the #THRIVE2022 include:

• Integrating the voices of children and young people
• Keeping families together and support within the community
• Improving timeliness of permanency
• Supporting carers to care for children and young people
• Working together to share data and information
• Aboriginal-led solutions locally implemented