Australian Childhood Foundation

Australian Childhood Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, and family violence. It works to protect childhood by providing specialised therapeutic care, education, advocacy, and research aimed at helping children heal from trauma and ensuring their safety and wellbeing. The Foundation collaborates with families, carers, professionals, and communities across Australia, including remote and regional areas, to create environments where children can recover and thrive.

Healing Trauma Through Specialist Therapeutic Care

The Foundation’s flagship activity is its specialist therapeutic services for children and young people affected by abuse and trauma. These services include individual, family, and group counselling designed to support recovery from the impact of sexual abuse, family violence, and neglect. The therapeutic care is trauma-informed and evidence-based, focusing on building safe, trusting relationships that help children feel seen, heard, and supported on their healing journey.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Australian Childhood Foundation is to protect children and restore childhood through the power of love, care, and safety. Its vision is a world where all children are safe from the trauma of abuse, violence, and neglect, and where they can grow up surrounded by stable, nurturing relationships.

Main Objectives

• Provide trauma-informed therapeutic care to children and young people impacted by abuse and neglect.
• Educate and empower communities, carers, and professionals to safeguard children effectively.
• Advocate for policies and laws that prioritise children’s safety and wellbeing.
• Conduct research to improve understanding and prevention of child abuse.
• Support families and carers to build stable, loving environments for children’s recovery.

Benefiting Groups

The Foundation primarily benefits children and young people who have experienced trauma from abuse, family violence, or neglect. It also supports their families, foster carers, kinship carers, and professionals who care for and work with traumatised children, helping them to provide safe and nurturing care.

Types of Services or Activities

• Specialist trauma therapeutic counselling and group programs for children and young people.
• Training and support for foster carers, residential care staff, and professionals.
• Community and professional education on child abuse prevention and trauma-informed care.
• Advocacy campaigns to influence child protection policies and raise awareness.
• Research partnerships to develop evidence-based interventions and prevention strategies.