Supporting children through separation and divorce

Children's social and emotional well-being following separation and divorce will be the focus of a public seminar at Southern Cross University this month.

Second in the popular Professorial Lecture series ‘Having a say: considering the status of children and young people in contemporary social life’ will be held on Thursday, July 29, at 5.30pm in room U-231 at the Lismore campus. It will be video-linked to MLG-13 at the Coffs Harbour campus and A-204 at the Gold Coast campus.

The presentation will be given by Professor Anne Graham, Professor of Childhood Studies and the foundation director of the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University. It will take a close look at the broad evidence base reporting on how children fare with such major changes in family life.

“The presentation draws on a growing body of research that challenges deeply held assumptions about children and childhood,” Professor Graham said.

“Children and young people are of central importance in Australian social and political life and much of our policymaking, planning and resource allocation in key areas of children’s lives - such as education, family law, mental health and out-of-home care – is now being framed in terms of ‘getting it right for kids’.

“It is quite remarkable then, that many of the approaches we engage in, and our research, policy and practice, rarely utilise what children and young people may have to tell us about their experience - and what works best for them.

“Likewise, it is somewhat surprising that there are so few forums for children and young people to express their views and ideas – so that these might contribute to improvements in their lives.

“My presentation will focus on the potential of contemporary theory and practice around children’s participation for developing safe, respectful and inclusive approaches that allow for children and young people to have a say about matters that concern them, and to act for their own well-being.”

Professor Graham will be drawing on key learnings over the past 15 years in developing and supporting one particular intervention, the ‘Seasons for Growth’ program, which is designed to facilitate children and young people (aged 6-18 years) to be able to have their voices heard when change occurs in their families, as well as recent and current research on children’s participation being undertaken with her colleagues at the Centre for Children and Young People.

‘Seasons for Growth’ supports children, young people and parents who have experienced significant change in their family due to death, separation or divorce. More than 150,000 children and young people have participated in this program which has been running successfully for 14 years in five countries.

To attend the presentation on July 29 with Professor Anne Graham, please RSVP by Monday, July 26, to Donna McIntyre on 02 6620 3503 or 0427 906 606; or email: donna.mcintyre@scu.edu.au.

Photo: Professor Anne Graham who will focus on children's social and emotional well-being following separation and divorce at Southern Cross University’s next Professorial Lecture.