Overview

This activity is part of a comprehensive eLearning training series on children's mental health developed by the Australian Psychological Society.

Working with children, one of society’s most vulnerable groups, represents a considerable responsibility. This series aims to upskill mental health professionals in their capacity to deliver best practice services to children and their families. 

Across four activities, participants will cover essential knowledge in development, assessment and treatment as well as contemporary issues, for the provision of best practice support and intervention:

1. Foundations

2. Child development

3. Assessment

4. Treatment of mental health disorders

1. Foundations

This is the first activity in the series and it covers:

• an orientation to working with children and families,

• professional practice, 

• working with families, and

• community-centered practice.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Duration of access

Access to this activity is for 6 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This eLearning activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality.

Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this eLearning activity, participants should be able to:

• outline factors related to children’s mental health, 

• describe why early intervention is important for children’s mental health,

• identify key contextual factors related to working with children,

• describe key principles underlying child mental health practice,

• outline key documents related to working with children and their families,

• identify key clinical practice issues (including legal and ethical) relevant to working with children and families,

• explain the role that families and family interactions play in connection in children’s mental health,

• explain what the ‘family centered approach’ means and why it’s effective,

• describe ways you can be ‘family centered’ in your day to day practice with children and families,

• outline the ways a family is considered a system,

• describe a range of approaches and interventions for working with families,

• describe what community is in the context of working with children,

• outline why community is relevant to children’s mental health, and

• explain what ‘community-centered’ practice means and why it is effective. 

Notes