Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Children and young people may arrive with very different experiences around food. Some might feel anxious at mealtimes, unsure of what to expect, or only comfortable with certain foods. Go slowly. What feels like a small moment to you may be a big step toward safety for them.

Start with simple, warm conversations

• Ask what foods they enjoy and what they don’t.
• Check what their usual meals looked like before, and gently explain how your family does mealtimes.
• Reassure them that there’s no pressure — you’re learning each other’s rhythms, one day at a time.

Healthy habits that support wellbeing

• Keep fresh fruit and vegetables available. Home-cooked meals don’t need to be fancy — simple and nourishing is enough.
• Encourage water as their main drink, and keep fizzy drinks or sugary juices as occasional treats.
• Save takeaway and hot chips for special moments rather than everyday meals.
• Support good rest. A consistent bedtime that suits their age helps their bodies grow and their minds settle.
• Move together when you can — a walk after dinner, shooting hoops, a scooter ride, swimming, or kicking a ball around.
• If they’re interested, explore local sports, dance classes, or activity groups. These can build confidence, belonging, and friendships.

And when you can, swap a bit of screen time for fresh air and movement.
Turn off the TV — get kids walking, exploring, and feeling good in their bodies!

Good hygiene helps children feel confident, comfortable, and ready to take part in school, sport, and everyday life. For many kids entering care, hygiene habits might be new, inconsistent, or tied to past experiences. A gentle, strengths-based approach makes all the difference.

Support them to learn new routines

• Talk about caring for our bodies in a positive way — how being clean helps us feel healthy, comfortable and proud.
• Keep bath or shower time at a regular time each day so it becomes part of their natural rhythm.
• Show them how to wash their face, feet, underarms, behind their ears, and how to shampoo and rinse their hair.
• Help with trimming fingernails and toenails as needed.
• Check for nits using conditioner and a fine-tooth comb — almost every child gets them at some stage. Keeping long hair tied back can help.
• Teach them how to blow their nose and explain why it matters (“This helps you breathe easier and keeps your ears clear”).
• Avoid comments like “smelly” or “stinky.” Focus on encouragement, reassurance, and building their confidence.
• Keep clothes clean and fresh — this helps them feel comfortable at school and blend in with their peers.
• Show teens how to use deodorant and let them know where pads or tampons are kept so they can access them privately.

A little patience, routine and encouragement go a long way. Over time, these small skills help children feel safe in their bodies — and proud of themselves.

Teenagers in care are juggling big changes — new environments, new people, and a body that’s developing fast. Hygiene can be a sensitive topic, so kindness and respect matter more than ever. Your gentle guidance helps them feel confident, included, and in control of their own wellbeing.

Keep conversations open and respectful

• Talk about hygiene as a way of feeling comfortable, confident, and ready for the day — not as a criticism.
• Ask what they already know or what routines they had before, and build from there.
• Keep instructions simple and private. Teens appreciate dignity.

Building healthy routines

• Encourage a daily shower or bath, especially after sport or on hot days.
• Show them how to wash their hair properly and how often might suit their hair type.
• Talk about washing their face once or twice daily to help with sweat or breakouts.
• Support them to keep their clothes clean and remind them to put dirty clothes in the wash.
• Make sure they have deodorant and explain how to use it.

Supporting periods and personal care

• Let young people who menstruate know where pads or tampons are stored and that they can ask you privately if they need anything.
• A small pouch or toiletry bag can help them feel prepared and confident at school or outings.

Respect their privacy

• Knock before entering their room.
• Give them space to manage their own care, stepping in only when needed.
• Avoid teasing, jokes, or comments about smell or appearance — these can be deeply hurtful for teens.

Troubleshooting common worries

• Nits: reassure them it happens to everyone and help treat it privately.
• Body odour: talk about it calmly and explain that regular washing and deodorant help.
• Skin concerns: support them to find gentle products, and chat with your caseworker if they need more help.

Provide a stable environment, 

a loving and caring environment for them to be in. 

And roll with the punches.

 

Stephen, carer, St Ives

With patience, trust, and encouragement, teens learn that caring for themselves isn’t about being judged — it’s about pride, confidence and feeling good in their own skin.

Create simple, steady routines

Babies and toddlers feel more secure when their day has a gentle rhythm.

• Try to keep feeding, bath time, naps and bedtime around the same time each day.
• Predictable routines help them learn what comes next and build trust in the adults caring for them.

Talk, smile and connect

Your voice and your face help little ones feel safe.

• Talk, smile, sing and repeat simple sounds.
• These small interactions teach the baby that you are the person who shows up, cares, and keeps them safe.

Keep an eye on new movers

Once babies start rolling or crawling, they can move quickly and unexpectedly.

• Never leave them alone on a bed, couch or change table where they could fall.
• Check the floor often — babies explore with their mouths!

Feeding safely and simply

• Around six months, babies start trying mashed foods like soft rice, pasta, mashed veggies, banana or avocado.
• Formula and water are the best drinks. Avoid juice, cordial and sugary drinks.
• No cow’s milk until around 12 months unless guided by a health professional.

for more information see feeding and soothing baby safety tips

Sleep needs

Babies usually need two naps a day and quiet, predictable surroundings.

• Keep sleep time calm and consistent.
• Always follow safe sleep guidelines — babies should sleep on their back, in their own safe sleep space, with no pillows or loose blankets.

How to safely move baby 

• Baby carriers, wraps and slings guide
• Car seats guide
• Prams and strollers guide

Safety first for crawlers and climbers

Little ones are curious and can get into everything.

• Keep poisons, sharp objects and dangerous items stored up high or locked away.
• Toddlers love climbing and exploring — stay close and help them stay safe.
• Use barrier gates or locked doors to block off unsafe areas.
• Keep matches and lighters well out of reach.

Growing toddlers need comfort and guidance

Toddlers learn through connection, repetition, and lots of reassurance.

• Offer plenty of cuddles and calm words so they know they matter and belong.
• By around 18 months, they may start feeding themselves, saying simple words like “milk” or “car,” and naming familiar things.
• They are full of energy and curiosity — guiding them gently through this stage helps them feel safe while learning about their world.

Useful resources

• Keep baby safe
• Keep baby safe video

Little ones can be fussy with food — that’s normal. Offer simple, healthy options they can explore at their own pace, like:

• yoghurt
• carrot sticks
• avocado
• brown rice, noodles or pasta
• soft meats or fish (without bones)
• mashed veggies or fruit
• fruit kebabs
• soft-cooked chicken with mashed potato and peas

Avoid adding extra salt or sugar — their taste buds don’t need it, and healthier habits start early.

Make mealtimes relaxed and joyful. Sit together, yarn, laugh, and gently teach them how to use their fork and spoon. Praise small steps — it helps them feel proud and capable.

Preschoolers often catch colds and infections, so simple routines make a big difference:

• Teach them to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
• Help them brush their teeth after brekkie and before bed. Celebrate their efforts — kids love feeling successful.
• Encourage good sleep, rest and downtime.

And always tell them they’re amazing and strong—children thrive when they know adults see their strengths and believe in them.

if a child isn’t talking much or seems to miss sounds, share your observations with your caseworker. They can help you figure out what’s typical, what might need a closer look, and whether a hearing check could be helpful. Ear troubles can impact speech, learning and behaviour later on, so early attention really matters.

Support their growing communication by:

• Talking with them often — name objects, describe what you’re doing, and respond to their sounds or early words.
• Reading or storytelling every day — picture books, songs and simple stories build language, bonding and imagination.
• Getting down to their level — eye contact and calm attention help them feel safe, seen and willing to try new words.
• Praising all communication attempts — pointing, gestures, babbling and new words are all progress worth celebrating.
• Reducing background noise — turning down loud TVs or chatter helps little ones hear clearly and practise language.

If something still doesn’t feel quite right, trust your instincts. Chat with your caseworker and together you can decide whether to check in with a GP or child health nurse. Early support helps children feel confident, included, and ready for learning.

The key to navigating this is bringing a positive, super patient, and step-by-step attitude to the process. Focusing on clear, simple words and making sure they feel safe and secure (whether on a little potty or a seat with a step) can make all the difference. Remember, there's no race here.

Most children start toilet training around two to three years old, with boys often starting a little later than girls. You’ll notice they may show signs of readiness by:

• Pulling at wet or dirty nappies
• Telling you when they’re wet
• Saying they don’t want to wear nappies anymore

Getting Started

Take it step by step, keeping it positive and relaxed:

• Use simple words: wet, dry, wee, poo, it’s coming. This helps children understand their body signals.
• Choose the right toilet setup: a child-sized potty or a toilet seat with a step so they feel safe and secure.
• Keep it safe: store cleaners, deodorants, and toiletries out of reach.
• Dress for success: use clothes that are easy to pull on and off.
• Teach hygiene: show them how to wash their hands after using the toilet or potty.

Encouragement Matters

Toilet training can take time, and accidents will happen. Celebrate small steps and praise their efforts — this builds confidence and shows them you’re there to support them. Try not to get cross; your calm guidance helps them feel safe and capable.

Let's be honest, nighttime dryness is a whole different ballgame and often takes much longer than toilet training. Bedwetting happens to so many children, and it’s important to treat it with calmness and real empathy. 

Children can feel sad or worried when they wake up in a wet bed. Tell the child that bedwetting happens sometimes, don’t be shamed and that they will grow out of it over time.

Explain that sometimes the brain doesn’t send the message to the body to go to the toilet. Change the sheets, don’t make a big fuss. Make sure they have a wash in the morning to feel fresh.

• try leaving a potty in the room at night
• leave a soft light on or tell them to call for you if they don’t like the dark
• waking them up to go to the toilet later in the night sometimes works
• don’t punish or tease the child – this will make it worse
• don’t make young children change the bed – it might feel like punishment.

Talk to the caseworker, doctor or nurse if you are worried.

Remember: your support helps them build the confidence to eventually master night dryness.

• Talk about feelings. Help them find the words: “You look upset… are you tired or sad, or just needing a break?”
• Make sure they’re rested. Many tantrums happen when kids are hungry, tired or overstimulated - stepping in early helps.
• Gently distract. Offer a book, a favourite toy, or sing a little song to shift their focus and reset.
• Show you’re listening. Look them in the eyes, nod, keep your voice soft and reflect back to them: “I hear you. I’m here. It hurts my ears when you shout, let’s breathe together.”
• Use closeness to calm. A cuddle, sitting next to them, or holding their hand can help them settle.
• Keep routines steady. Predictable mealtimes, rest times, and quiet times help children feel grounded and less overwhelmed.

A gentle reminder: Children thrive when the adults around them show steady love, kindness and understanding. Your calm energy teaches them how to handle their own big feelings and helps them feel safe to grow, learn, and heal.

Never punish, yell at, or hit a child during a tantrum. Remember, their behaviour is a way of communicating feelings, not a sign of “bad” behaviour. 

Tantrums often happen because they’re tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed, and they need your calm presence to feel safe. 

If you feel yourself getting frustrated, step aside for a moment, breathe, and come back calm. Caring for kids takes patience, and looking after yourself helps you look after them.

You can also use gentle words, physical reassurance like a hand on their shoulder, or a quiet activity to help them settle. 

Staying respectful, patient, and steady not only keeps them safe but also teaches them how to recognise and manage their emotions in healthy ways.

Water is fun—but it can be dangerous. Keeping children and young people safe around water is one of the most important things you can do as a carer.

• Even a small amount of water—in a bucket, esky, bath, or shallow pool—can be dangerous. Always supervise children and empty water containers after use.

Important safety tips:

• Never leave children alone near water. If you must step away, take them with you.
• Watch toddlers closely near dams, creeks, canals, rivers, pools, or even shallow water. Hold their hand when near open water.
• Not all young people can swim, especially those who didn’t grow up in Australia or near water. Always ensure they are supervised.
• If you’re having a party, picnic, or BBQ by water, nominate adults specifically to keep an eye on children at all times.
• Make sure anyone looking after the kids is fully alert and not drinking alcohol.

Building water confidence

Each year too many children around the state die from drowning. Children should never be left unsupervised while playing in and around water, even if they know how to swim. This is especially true for children under the age of 5.

"Water awareness" is a term that covers a range of strategies that will help ensure your child stays safe. This includes water familiarisation, checking for and removing water hazards, setting rules around water and discussing water safety with your child. A water hazard could include a fish pond, kiddies pool or even a bucket left full of water.

Many public swimming pools and aquatic centres offer water familiarisation classes and water survival techniques. It's a good idea for all children to learn these techniques.

At home you can use bath time to develop water awareness by letting your baby or child feel, experience and play with water.

Water safety at home

Young children can drown in very small amounts of water so don’t leave water in eskies, buckets, baths or toddler pools.

Know where your child is and keep doors and gates locked if there are water tanks, drains, fish ponds or fountains where you live.

Never leave children under 5 years of age or children of any age that have a disability alone in the bath or in the supervision of older children.

Stay safe at the beach

If you live near the beach, or are visiting the beach on holidays, make sure you follow these safety tips from Surf Life Saving Australia

• Find the flags and swim between them – they mark the safest place to swim at the beach
• Look at the safety signs – they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach
• Ask a lifesaver for advice – surf conditions can change quickly, so always check before you or your children enter the water
• Get a friend to swim with you – you should never swim alone and you should always supervise your children whenever they are in or near the water
• Stick your hand up for help – if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm and raise your arm to signal for assistance. Don’t try to swim against a current or rip, but float with it.

Farm safety

Did you know 5 to 6 children drown each year in farm dams and other bodies of water? Most of these children are aged below 5, and one third are visitors to the farm.

Having a securely fenced house yard or a designated safe play area with child resistant gates and latches is the best way to prevent farm tragedies. This will help stop unsupervised access to farm hazards, such as dams and other dangers.

If children are going to swim in dams, creeks, rivers or lakes, make sure an adult is always supervising them, just like with a pool.

It's important to familiarise yourself with any of these waterways because, unlike the pool, conditions are very changeable.

The murkiness of natural waterways also means that once submerged, a child can be out of sight immediately. Always supervise children from within an ‘arms length’ of where they are swimming or playing in the water.

In NSW, all pools and spas must have a compliant safety barrier (Public Health Regulation 2012). 

Swimming pools

• Swimming pools provide hours of fun for the whole family so long as a few simple safety rules are followed:
• children should never be left unsupervised and children under 5 should always have an adult swimming within arm’s reach of them
• nominate a designated ‘child supervisor’ during parties or large gatherings to make sure children are supervised at all times
• have some rules about locking gates, waiting for a grown up, no running or diving and no rough play
• make sure the pool fencing and gate meet safety standards. This includes having a self closing gate
• learn CPR or update CPR skills annually and make sure young children learn to swim. Water confidence prevents drownings
• always make sure the pool gate is firmly shut.

Pool fencing

• The Swimming Pools Act 1992 requires swimming pools to be surrounded on all sides by a fence and also to have a child-resistant gate, which should be kept closed at all times. The Act defines a swimming pool as any excavation, structure or vessel that is capable of being filled with water to a depth greater than 30 centimetres. This includes spa baths and portable/inflatable pools.
• Pool owners are required by law to conduct a self-assessment of the safety of their pool and to register their pool with the NSW Swimming Pool Register. In addition, a pool compliance certificate must be obtained from the local council. This is valid for 3 years.

Useful links

• Pool inspection self-assessment checklists
• Pool Inspection
• Be Pool Safe

Useful links:

• Sun safety in schools
• Sun protection Cancer Counil NSW

Children aged 0 to 7 years must travel in a safely fastened child restraints. The right car seat or booster seat for your child depends on how old and how big he is:

Rearward facing (child faces the rear of the car) - use from birth and up to 6 months, with a built-in 5 or 6 point harness. Type A in the Australian Standard.

Forward facing (child faces the front of the car) - use when the child has outgrown the rear facing restraint up until at least 4 years of age, with a built-in 5 or 6 point harness. Type B in the Australian Standard.

Note: Forward facing restraints, Type B, fits most children up to at least 4 years of age. However, a new forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness, Type G, can be used up to approximately 8 years of age.

Booster seat - for children who have outgrown their forward facing restraint up to at least 8-10 years of age, to position the lap and sash belts safely. Type E, F in the Australian Standard.

Note: Booster cushions are boosters without the back and side wings that protect the child's head. They are being phased out, except for those built into cars.

Lap sash seatbelt - a seatbelt that has one part that goes across the lap and another that goes over the shoulder. It's recommended that children move to a lap sash belt only when they've outgrown the full booster seat or when their eyes are higher than the back of the full booster seat. A good adult seat belt fit can be achieved when a child is approximately 145 centimetres tall.

If your child is too small for the restraint specified for their age, they should be kept in their current restraint until it's safe to move to the next level.

Remember: it’s illegal and unsafe to carry your child on your lap in a car, even if you’re wearing a seatbelt.

Extra safety tips

In addition to using the appropriate car seat, you should also:

• ensure your child always keeps arms, legs and head inside the car, whether it’s moving or parked
• check that childproof door locks are on so your child cannot open the car doors
• keep loose items in the glove box or the boot as they can fly about in a crash and increase the risk of injury
• provide plenty of safe distractions for your child such as music, little toys or books to keep him entertained so you can concentrate and drive safely
• always try to get your child in and out of the car on the kerbside, away from traffic.

It may be easy for even the most loving and well meaning parent or carer to think, “I’ll just be a few minutes”, and leave the kids in the car with the window down a bit. But even this has serious health risks for the children.

Shopping and running errands with children can be frustrating. In the case of babies and younger children, there can be added exasperation when you realise that your child has fallen asleep, just as you get to your destination and find that elusive car parking space.

Few people are aware of how little time it takes for the inside of a car to reach dangerously high temperatures, even with the window slightly open:

• On a typical Australian summer day, the temperature inside a parked car can be as much as 30 to 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. So, on a 30-degree day the temperature inside the car could be as high as 70 degrees Celsius.
• 75% of temperature rise occurs within 5 minutes of closing the car and leaving it.
• Having the windows down 5 centimetres causes only a slight temperature drop, for example, from 78 degrees in a closed car to 70 degrees in a car with the windows down 5 centimetres.
• The temperature inside the car begins to rise as does the humidity, while the airflow decreases.

As the temperature rises, children begin to develop heat stress (hyperthermia) and also to dehydrate. Young children are more sensitive to heat than older children or adults and are at greater risk of heatstroke. The younger the child, the faster the onset of heatstroke and dehydration. Hyperthermia, dehydration and asphyxia can all lead to death.

Remember: leaving a child or young person in a motor vehicle without proper supervision is not only dangerous but also illegal.

The home is the most common place for children to be injured. Electrical sockets, poisons, furniture, blind cords and water can all become potential hazards - often quite suddenly.

Inquisitive and adventurous young children don't have a full understanding of the consequences of their actions. Luckily most injuries are predictable and preventable through supervision and by taking some simple safety precautions.

Falls

Falls are the major cause of toddler injury. Here are some tips to prevent your child from getting injured:

• pad sharp corners of furniture or round them off
• use barrier gates or lock doors to stop your child going into dangerous places
• don’t use bunk beds with toddlers
• use straps in the high chair and pusher
• don’t leave young children alone on change tables, high chairs and other furniture
• teach your toddlers how to climb down as they are learning to climb up.

Burns and scalds

Children under 4-years-old but especially those aged between 1 and 2, are most at risk of burns and scalds due to their increased mobility and natural curiosity.

Safety steps to prevent burns and scalds include:

• keep hot things well back from the edge of tables
• turn saucepan handles away from the edge of the stove and use a stove guard
• use placemats instead of tablecloths
• have short or curly electric cords that don’t hang over the side of benches
• remember that many toddlers can light matches and lighters and unscrew the globes of the Christmas tree lights
• to prevent scalding, install a tempering valve that delivers hot water to your bathroom at 50° C
• always run cold water into the bath first before turning on the hot water
• use fireguards for open fires and radiators
• install an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker in your fuse box.

Poisoning

Toddlers explore everywhere they can reach and put things into their mouths. They cannot understand poison signs.

Common products that can be poisonous to your child include prescription medicines, cough and cold preparations, paracetamol, oral contraceptives and topical antiseptics. Other risks include products for cleaning, and gardening as well as insecticides, perfumes, paint, plants and insects.

Poisoning can occur through swallowing, skin contact, inhalation or eye contact.

Here are some tips to prevent your child being poisoned:

• keep kitchen and laundry detergents out of reach. They are best kept in a locked cupboard. Dishwasher powder is particularly dangerous
• use a child proof medicine cupboard for all medicines (including oral contraceptives) that is at least 1.5 metres above ground level
• lock garden products away
• keep poisons in their original, labelled containers
• never put poisons into food or drink containers
• check that the plants in your garden are not poisonous.

In an emergency call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.

Choking

Babies love to put everything in their mouths, but even when your child is older some small objects should be kept out of reach, including coins, magnets and button batteries. Foods like peanuts, bones, raw carrot and apple are the main cause of choking in young children.

• check there are no small objects or coins lying around
• don’t give your child hard pieces of food to chew such as raw carrot - give cooked or grated vegetables
• toddlers should sit still when eating and you should stay with them until they finish eating
• never give toddlers peanuts or other nuts
• don’t force your children to eat anything they don’t want
• tie plastic bags with a knot in the middle so that they cannot be put over your child’s head
• cords or ribbons on toys, dummies and clothing should be short so they can’t choke your child
• cords on curtains and blinds need to be short or out of reach
• replace dummies before they are worn
• some antique cots are not safe for young children.

Drowning

Most children who drown are under 4-years-old. Drowning happens very quickly and quietly. Young children can drown in only a few centimetres of water. Teaching your toddler to swim will not prevent drowning.

• stay with your children whenever they are near or in water, such as the bath, paddle pool or buckets
• keep a lid on nappy buckets and keep them out of reach
• water can collect in all sorts of things after rain, make sure you empty them
• always ensure that the paddle pool is emptied after use
• all other pools should be fenced, with a self-closing and locking gate.

Play

Toys are fun, and important for children’s development but badly made or age inappropriate toys can cause injuries. Always select sturdy, Australian standards.

Parents should always:

• check toys and equipment regularly for sharp edges, splinters and loose parts
• ensure that the surface under climbing frames and swings is soft
• toys for young children should not have small loose parts that can be broken off and swallowed
• store toys for play at a low level so the children can reach them easily without the need to climb
• when a toy is labelled “not suitable for children under 3” it means there are small parts that may be a choking hazard
• regularly check the condition of toys and throw out any you think are no longer safe
• baby walkers often cause injuries and should not be used.

Adapted from: Parenting SA, Government of South Australia 1996-1999.

Parents well know that playing outside is great fun for children. Being naturally curious, they'll take every opportunity to learn and experience their environment but that can mean they're out of sight very quickly.

When outside the house, children need to be accompanied and closely supervised by a parent or adult carer to keep them safe.

Parks and playground safety

These simple safety measures will help your child stay safe and avoid injuries in parks and playgrounds:

• familiarise yourself with neighbourhood parks and playgrounds and always check equipment and surfacing to make sure they're in good condition before allowing children to play
• look for broken or vandalised equipment or parts. Keep an eye out for broken glass that poses a hazard for bare feet and kids in sandals
• talk with your child about the safest route walking to and from the park
• check that they know safe places to cross the road plus safe road crossing procedures, such as holding the hand of a trusted adult.

On the street

Being out-and-about in traffic is dangerous for children because their short stature makes it difficult for drivers to see them – particularly in driveways where vehicles may be reversing. Children don't have the experience to estimate the speed and distance of moving vehicles.

• supervise young pedestrians and ensure they are holding the hand of an adult on the footpath, in the car park and when crossing the road (until the're at least 10-years-old)
• always cross the roads using a pedestrian crossing when available or at the lights
• remind your child that cars don’t always stop, even when they should

Every time you cross the road with your child, you can go through the following procedure:

• STOP one step back from the edge of the kerb
• LOOK for traffic by turning your head to the right, then the left and back to the right again
• LISTEN for approaching traffic
• THINK about whether it's completely safe to cross. Then walk across the road turning your head both right and left to look and listen for approaching traffic as you go.

Road safety for smaller wheels

Teach children that wearing a helmet when cycling, riding or skating should be as automatic as wearing a seat belt in the car. They should also wear other appropriate safety gear such as knee and elbow pads.

Riding bikes or trikes in driveways can be dangerous. As well as the risk of being hit by a car, when they’re learning, children can accidentally roll onto the road into passing traffic. Until they are at least 10-years-old children should ride their bikes or wheeled toys in a fenced area away from vehicles, roads or traffic.

Children up to 12-years-old and adults accompanying them may cycle on the footpath, unless signs indicate otherwise.

• Work with them, not against them. Let them have a say in what they enjoy watching or playing, but make it clear that you’re responsible for choosing what’s safe and appropriate. This helps them feel heard without feeling like they’re “in charge.”
• Be upfront about why some things aren’t OK. Gently explain that certain shows, games or online content can be scary, confusing, or not meant for kids. When they understand why a limit is there, it feels fairer and less like punishment.
• Avoid shows or apps with lots of swearing, violence or sexual content. Kids and teens in care can be especially sensitive to intense or unsafe themes.
• Help them learn to think critically. Explain that ads are designed to make people want things they don’t always need — and that choosing for themselves is a powerful skill.
• Keep mealtimes screen-free. Eating together without TV or devices helps build connection and calm.
• Choose age-appropriate content. Pick shows, games or apps that match their age and developmental stage. Avoid leaving TVs or devices on in the background — constant noise can make it harder to relax or concentrate.
• Protect time for fun, imagination and rest. Switching off screens creates room for play, talking, creativity, exploring outdoors, and simply being together.

Starting 10 December 2025, the law in Australia says that children under 16 years old cannot hold accounts on many social media platforms.

This change is designed to keep children safer online by giving them time to grow, learn and engage in more real-life connections before being exposed to the risks of social media. 

Supporting kids as they navigate changes to social media access Webinar

This webinar will help carers support kids through the social media ban. It provides strategies to build safety and critical thinking skills that are vital to help kids navigate the online world.

Further resources:

• ESafety Commissioner - Social media age restrictions hub
• Parent Line - social media age limit: Practical tips for parents navigating the transition
• headspace - Information for family about the social media ban
• ReachOut - Dealing with change from the social media ban (for young people)
• Kids Helpline - The under 16s social media ban: the good, the bad and your brain.  A guide for teens.

• Explain the changes to the child or young person in a calm way: “Because you’re under 16, this means you won’t be able to keep or start an account on these apps right now—it’s about helping you stay safe and have room to grow.”
• Help them find other ways to stay connected: phone calls, video chats with trusted people, offline hobbies and joining groups that meet in person (sports, culture, art).
• Create a family screen-plan: when screens are OK, when they’re off, what devices we use and in what rooms.
• Monitor how they use devices and talk about what they’re doing online—a safe, open conversation is better than a hidden screen world.
• If they are worried, anxious, feeling left out or pressured because of social media changes, encourage talking with you, a caseworker, teacher or counsellor.
• Remind them: This isn’t a punishment or “you did something wrong”—it’s about safety, wellbeing and helping them build strong connections in real life.

We strongly recommend having open conversations with your caseworker to help navigate this space and best support the children/young people in your care.

Resources to help parents & carers keep children safe online:

• Online safety book for parents and carers
• Online safety book for under 5s
• eSafety Parents advice and resources
• Webinars for parents and carers.

Resources to help with reporting online harms:

• ‘What to do if something bad happens online’ is a flowchart listing the reporting options available for online harm, with links to both eSafety and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
• The eSafety Guide is where you can learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content.  
  For full details and guidance: eSafety Commissioner – Social media age restrictions page. ESafety Commissioner FAQs.

Turning off the screens creates space for play, talking, creativity, exploring the outdooes and having fun with you.

• Never smoke or vape in the same room or car as a child.
• If you smoke, consider quitting or using smoke-free areas outside the home.
• Wash hands and change clothes after smoking to reduce exposure to smoke residue

Remember: Keeping children safe from smoke is one of the simplest ways to protect their health, now and in the future.

• Quitline: 13 78 48
• Your GP and local health services can provide free advice, programs, and support to quit.

The combination of summer, Christmas and the New Year provide plenty of opportunities to unwind and visit friends and relatives.

Keep watch on alcoholic drinks and make sure they are not left where small hands can reach them. Similarly, a bowl of nuts or an ashtray left on a coffee table can pose a major choking hazard for a young child. Cigarettes and butts can also poison children and cigarette lighters should not be left around where children can access to them either.

If visiting someone else’s home, be mindful that they may not have child proofed danger areas such as kitchens and bathrooms or garden areas containing a fish pond or a significant drop off the side of a rockery or hill.

Even bedrooms can be dangerous if pills, medications or small coins are left by the bedside.

Small Christmas decorations are particularly fascinating for young children. Make sure they are kept out of reach as they may pose choking hazards.

Christmas trees can also tip over when tugged and Christmas lights can pose an electrical hazard for young, inquisitive children.

Each year NSW Fair Trading identifies new toys that have the potential to harm young children. Age labelling such as ‘not suitable for children under 3’ is not an indicator of skill, but means there are small parts that could be swallowed. Anything smaller than a 20 cent piece can choke a child under 3 years old.

• projectile toys can be dangerous, particularly for young children
• toy chests and boxes should be designed not to close on top of children, or should have a removable lid
• be mindful of ventilation when buying children's equipment such as tents and masks
• check toys for sharp edges or rough surfaces as they can cause cuts or splinters
• toys on wheels may roll onto a road or out of a safe area. They should only be used in a fenced area with a gate.

The content on this page was taken from: Child safety - school holiday parent kit (PDF, 723.7 KB).

Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), vaccinations are provided free to infants, children, adolescents, and adults who have, or are eligible for, a Medicare card. These vaccines help protect against serious illnesses and prevent life-threatening complications.

Here’s what carers should know

• Free vaccines through the NIP can be accessed at your local GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or community clinic.
• A full schedule of recommended vaccines is available at the Australian government’s site.
• If you want a child’s immunisation history, you can get a copy by:
  • Logging into your Medicare-online account
  • Visiting the Medicare website and requesting an “Immunisation History Statement”
  • Calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809

Why this matters

Children in out-of-home care often need every available protection—good immunisation is part of helping them stay strong in body, mind and community. For Aboriginal children, extra vaccine protection is available because of higher risk of some diseases.

Useful links

• Immunisation for children
• Immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• NSW Health immunisation programs

Getting a flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Your yearly flu vaccine offers the best protection from getting really sick and is free for:

• children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• pregnant women
• Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over
• anyone aged 65+
• people with serious health conditions

Book your flu vaccine at your GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service. Everyone aged 2 years or over can get vaccinated at a pharmacy. Parents or carers with children aged 6 months to under 2 years old should see their GP for their flu vaccine.

See NSW Health Influenza site for more information including an easy read flu fact sheet

Children and young people entering statutory OOHC are referred by the Department of Communities and Justice to commence a primary health assessment as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days of a child or young person entering care.

These assessments are undertaken by a range of health care providers, including General Practitioners, Aboriginal Medical Services, Child and Family Health Nurses, and headspace and Youth Health Services where available.

After the primary health assessment, the health professional may then refer the child or young person for a comprehensive multidisciplinary health assessment. On the basis of these assessments, each child or young person has a Health Management Plan developed for/with them. The Health Management Plan identifies their state of health, recommended interventions and appropriate review process.

The program supports young people as they plan to leave care, including supporting the young person to establish and maintain an ongoing relationship with a primary health care provider. As young people grow, we seek their consent for and encourage their participation in health care and planning.
 

The program is a collaboration between NSW Health, Department of Communities and Justice, OOHC service providers, Department of Education, carers, and children and young people themselves.

Carers will be contacted by a health staff member from the child or young person's local health district to organise a primary health assessment after the child/young person enters care.
 

Each local health district has an OOHC Health Pathway coordinator responsible for managing and coordinating referrals. The contact details for each local coordinator, and information about local programs, can be found below. To find out which local health district you live in, search for your closest town using this map locator.

Useful links

Out-of-Home Care Health Pathway program

Animation OOHC Health Pathway - information for children and young people (1min 56 sec)

Animation OOHC Health Pathway - information for carers (1min 41 secs)

The OOHC health assessments do not replace the services offered by a GP or emergency department. If a child or young person in your care is unwell or injured, and requires attention, please seek immediate medical attention.