Situations related to health and wellbeing involve the mental illness of a parent, substance abuse, trauma, grief and abuse. All these experiences vary and should not be considered indicators of bad parenting. In Australia the number of cases of proven maltreatment among children was 42100, thus indicating the importance of child protection issues (AIHW, 2026). All these situations matter in ECEC, as children depend on adults for feeling secure, establishing routines and accessing help.
The impact of all the factors can be described using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model. According to this model, family wellbeing is connected with healthcare services and other social factors (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, as cited in Nolan & Raban, 2015). Family systems theory explains how the problems of one family member can imply the problems of an entire family (Bowen, 1978, as cited in Nolan & Raban, 2015), and stigma theory describes how the judgement may prevent somebody from seeking help (Goffman, 1963).
Studies also indicate these situations are not destined to occur. Parents with a serious mental illness may undergo stigma and encounter obstacles to receiving support but still regard parenthood as an important aspect of their life experience (Harries et al., 2023). In cases of parental substance use, child well-being tends to be around the low end of the scale, but results are different from family to family. That warrants ECEC approaches to take risks, strengths, and protective factors into account instead of labelling parents according to their problems (Kuppens et al., 2020)
(AIHW, 2026b)
(Barnardos Ireland, 2026)
Impact on Children and Families
Health and wellness issues can be detrimental to development, learning, wellness, relationship creation, and engagement in children. The traits exhibited by children may include withdrawal, aggression, changes in sleeping, distress while separating from a parent, or lowered focus. However, the behaviours shown should not be considered a clear indicator of trauma and abuse. Trauma-informed ECEC should assist children in making better connections and having their needs catered to, but it is essential to understand that research in this area is still being conducted (Sun et al., 2023).
Also, parental mental illness or their dependency on substances will affect their daily routines and emotional availability. However, it is worth mentioning that not every child whose parent is suffering from the above-mentioned diseases will also experience negative outcomes, and grief can be expressed through sadness, anger, forgetfulness, or behavioural changes that are a normal process of adaptation to loss (Emerging Minds, 2022).
Therefore, predictions, routines, sensitive conversations, objective record-keeping and referral systems are necessary in ECEC services. Educators can observe, thus creating a stable alliance, while working with the families and other professionals without diagnosing the child or parent and offering any therapy outside their role (Sun et al., 2023).
(AIFS resources for the child and family sector, 2019)
Social Policy & National Responses
Figures from Australia show how dire the situation is in those parts. Over the period 2020–2022, 21.5% of Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 have been diagnosed with a mental disorder at least once during that period (ABS, 2024). The Australian Child Maltreatment Study found that 62.2% of individuals aged 16 years and older said they experienced maltreatment during childhood (Higgins et al., 2023).
Safe and Supported 2021 to 2031 is an effort directed at preventing child abuse and neglect along with coordinated support for the affected people (Department of Social Services, 2021). The National Drug Strategy 2017–2026 aims to minimise the impact of addiction on people’s lives (Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2025). In 2022–23, 31% of Australians aged 14 and older consume alcohol at unsafe levels, while 17.9% of the same cohort are abusing drugs (AIHW, 2025b).
Due to NQF child safety reforms with regard to child safety, as of January 2026, the quality areas of 2 and 7 have been improved in connection to child safety matters. In addition, MARAM and information-sharing reforms undertaken by the State of Victoria enable early childhood services to assess the risk of family violence (Victorian Government Australia, 2026). As a result, the above-mentioned policies enhance safeguarding, documentation, referrals and collaboration of different agencies while ensuring confidentiality at the level of the family.
(Queensland Government, 2026)
(Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, 2025)
(Department of Social Services, 2021)
(Victorian Government Australia, 2026)
01
Build predictable safety
Support emotional expression
Link families to supports for mental health, grief, trauma, and substance abuse.
EYLF Connection
1.1: Children feel safe, secure and supported.
Make certain there are consistent educators, routines, transitions and calming areas
EYLF Connection
1.1: Children feel safe, secure and supported.
Use imaginative play, storytelling, art and emotive language without pressuring disclosure.
EYLF Connection
3.1: Children become strong in their social, emotional and mental well-being.
Discuss areas of need while being respectful instead of criticising families’ problems.
EYLF Connection
1.3: Children develop knowledgeable, confident self-identities and a positive sense of self-worth
02
Partner without stigma
Respond safely to concerns
Strengthen referral pathways
Record observations as required and follow child protection rules without doing investigations
EYLF Connection
3.1: Children become strong in their social, emotional and mental well-being.
03
04
05
(Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, 2026)
Community and Professional Partnerships
Organisations and Roles and ECEC Collaboration
Emerging Minds
Write a short description of this category
Provides mental and emotional resources for children and parenting. ECEC educators can effectively utilise these materials to facilitate awareness on family conversation and referral matters.
Provides therapy, peer support, and education to the families affected by alcohol, drugs, and gambling. The educators can provide confidential referrals to families who may need support in these cases.
Offer food to families in need by means of the network of partners. ECE centres can refer families to food relief services nearby.
SHARC Family Drug & Gambling Help
Australian Childhood Foundation
The Orange Door
Provides help for the families living in Victoria that have faced domestic violence or problems concerning child well-being
Grief Australia
Provides grief counselling, support groups, and educational services. Educators can refer their clients to the organisations working in the area of grief counselling and support
Provides specialised support and trauma-informed training for professionals working with traumatised individuals. ECEC educators can learn more about trauma-responsive practices through these various professional development training opportunities
• Resource 01
• Resource 02
Be You Early Learning
Family Drug Support: Stepping Forward
Informed educators regarding children's mental health, welfare, and resilience through educational materials for those in early learning sectors..
Provided insights into alcohol and drug issues, communication skills, and coping mechanisms for educator use in dealing with challenges faced by families
• Resource 03
• Resource 04
National Centre for Childhood Grief
Bravehearts: Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure
Specialised information and education regarding children's understanding and expression of grief.
A personal safety programme for young children that teaches them about the safety of their bodies, unsafe feelings and the use of trusted adults.
Resources for Educators and Children
Curated storybook selections supporting early childhood education from birth to five years, focusing on cultural and diversity contexts in contemporary Australian early learning environments.
Helps young ones gain insight into the ways in which fear and trauma are experienced and allows them to address topics such as safety, adult support, and recovery without having to reveal details
Explores death and grief through remembering someone who has died, helping children understand loss, continuing memories and emotional connection. Child Bereavement UK also recommends the book for discussing death with young children.
Teaches about keeping safe and asking for help in order for children to learn how to recognise dangerous situations around them and identify trusted adults.
Written for children aged from 3 to 6, the book takes the perspective of children whose parent has been taken into hospital due to difficulties with their mental health
A structured multimedia analysis evaluating digital video, broadcast shows, and educational audio resources designed for children from birth through five years of age.
Resource 01
Resource 02
Twinkle, Twinkle, Arti
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Daniel Still Feels Sad
A video co-developed with families coping with parental drug and alcohol abuse that allows the kids to face their anxiety and shyness and manage their emotions with the help of a trusted person
Resource 03
Resource 04
Birdie’s Tree: Babies, Young Children and Stressful Events
NSPCC: Talk PANTS with Pantosaurus
Gives children the chance to experience sorrow when they have lost a pet and take into account that sadness is an ongoing emotion but can be safe expressed.
Seeks to learn how kids react to scary and stressful situations and reinforces the importance of knowing where to get safety and predictable assistance.
Uses a child-friendly dinosaur and song to teach body safety, boundaries, saying no and telling a trusted adult, supporting abuse prevention and help-seeking