ABSTRACT This mixed-methods pilot study evaluated an adapted trauma-informed parenting (TIP) training for 27 parents of elementary students (aged five to 11) at a trauma-informed school in Tennessee (U.S.A.). The study explored how TIP training influences parenting practices and children's behaviours using a sequential explanatory design with presurveys, postsurveys, and semistructured interviews. Quantitative findings showed significant reductions in children’s emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity, but no significant changes in parents’ comfort discussing trauma. Qualitative analysis revealed enhanced trauma-informed knowledge, with parents shifting from punitive to nurturing communication and discipline strategies. Parents reported greater awareness of trauma’s effects on behaviour and improved parent–child interactions. Findings suggest TIP training promotes empathy, supportive parenting, and child resilience. This study highlights the value of integrating culturally responsive, trauma-informed approaches in parent education to support families facing adversity. IMPLICATIONS Trauma-informed parenting programs can equip general parent populations with knowledge and skills to create nurturing family environments, support child wellbeing and reduce behavioural challenges associated with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Trauma-informed training promotes positive shifts in parenting practices and child behaviours, offering social workers and other practitioners evidence-based tools to engage families in healing-centred support.

ABSTRACT Reported in this article are research findings about effective mental health practices for young people involved with child protection services. Five care-experienced young people and 45 stakeholders were interviewed to gather stories of effective mental health practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. The results illustrated what trauma-informed practice can look like throughout the mental health engagement, assessment, and intervention stages. The foundation of trauma-informed mental health care for this population is a deep understanding of the impact of trauma upon young people, recognition of care-experienced young people as a priority population, and a commitment from mental health services to responsively serve these young people. IMPLICATIONS Well-resourced specialised trauma-informed mental health care is important for young people who have been involved with child protection services, many of whom face inequitable barriers in accessing quality mental health care. Trauma-informed clinicians, including social workers, recognise trauma responses as adaptive behaviours rather than a reason to decline mental health service provision. Trauma-informed mental health interventions are based on principles of choice and predictability. Systemic trauma-informed care aligns with critical social work perspectives and antioppressive practice.

ABSTRACT This article introduces Now.See.Hear!(NSH!), an innovative visual conversation tool for trauma-informed practice with justice-involved youth. Developed through a collaborative process involving practitioners, researchers, and young people, NSH! addresses gaps in existing trauma assessment tools by providing a developmentally appropriate, engaging method for understanding young people's experiences that prioritises cultural safety. The tool comprises photo cards, conversation prompts, and a reflective conversation map. Initial testing with 235 culturally diverse participants across various settings indicates high acceptability and potential utility in youth justice contexts. Now.See.Hear! offers a promising approach for enhancing trauma-informed practice and improving engagement with justice-involved youth. IMPLICATIONS Now.See.Hear! provides social workers with a practical, engaging tool for trauma-informed assessment and intervention with justice-involved youth. The tool's visual and narrative approach may enhance engagement and disclosure, particularly for young people who struggle with traditional verbal assessments. Now.See.Hear!’s design promotes culturally safe practice, making it particularly valuable for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.

ABSTRACT While young widows have previously been recognised by Australian support systems for their unique gendered experiences, this is no longer the case in contemporary contexts, despite the enduring legacy of the feminisation of poverty. A small body of international research touches on these issues, but there are no current Australian social work studies. On this basis, a feminist phenomenological and qualitative study was undertaken. Data collection involved semistructured interviews with seven young widows under the age of 50 and living in Australia. Thematic analysis revealed mixed experiences with formal supports, including social work and monetary support. Drawing on advice from the participants, implications for social work educators, practitioners, and researchers for improving quality formal support for young widows are outlined. As the first contemporary Australian social work study on young widowhood, the findings contribute to international knowledge by highlighting the gendered impacts of the socioeconomic dimensions of some young widows’ lived experiences. Authors call on Australian social workers to rediscover a group of women who need professionals who understand their multidimensional needs. IMPLICATIONS The gendered impacts and declining visibility of young widowhood in Australia need increased attention from social workers. Improved engagement, support, and advocacy are key recommended strategies that will assist young widows.

ABSTRACT The Trauma-Informed Programs and Practices for Schools (TIPPS) initiative was developed to respond to a rising demand for schoolwide support to mitigate the effects of trauma and to improve learning and behaviour among public school students in the U.S. state of Michigan. TIPPS is based at the University of Michigan School of Social Work (SSW) and serves as an academic hub for interdisciplinary collaboration on child trauma and system change for kindergarten through to 12th grade schools. In addition to serving school professionals, TIPPS offers educational opportunities and field learning for University of Michigan School of Social Work Students, which is helping to shape the social work workforce in the state and beyond. IMPLICATIONS The Trauma-Informed Programs and Practices for Schools (TIPPS) initiative can transform graduate education for social workers and other school professionals by infusing trauma-informed content into interprofessional courses and field experiences. The TIPPS approach has broad applicability to social work programs at universities throughout the United States and other parts of the world, including Australia.

ABSTRACT In this article, the authors address a critical tension between the urgent need for climate action and the challenges of embedding eco-social work across the profession. Qualitative findings from a PhD study conducted in Victoria, Australia, highlight six participants’ engagement with climate change. The research methodology drew from critical reflection and critical ethnography. Identified themes that reinforced the construct of eco-social work as a distinct field of practice are summarised. Subsequently, through the use of Fook’s critical reflection framework (2023), barriers to climate engagement are explored in partnership with participants. An example of the critical reflection process integrated into one interview series showcases collaborative strategies to overcome key barriers faced. In conclusion we emphasised the emancipatory potential of Fook’s frameworks to support climate action within mainstream social work. IMPLICATIONS Social work is required to respond to the social justice implications of advanced climate change, whether eco-social work is viewed as a distinct field of practice or foundational across the profession. Critical reflection provides an opportunity to challenge modernist notions of power and identity construction that have the potential to impact climate engagement. Practitioners engaging with critical reflection can progress the climate agenda for Australian social work.

ABSTRACT This article critically explores the historical trajectory of neo-liberalism and its multifaceted impacts on the sociopolitical, economic, and cultural dimensions of social life from a social work perspective. The author argues that while market-driven policies may spur economic growth for capitalists, they exacerbate political polarisation, erode social cohesion, and limit social mobility. Drawing on experiences from Nepal, it is argued that neo-liberalism deepens economic vulnerabilities, fosters political instability, and distorts social harmony. The discussion highlights how neo-liberalism often undermines collective wellbeing. Further academic research to explore alternative welfare systems that address the diverse social issues emerging from market-oriented policies is recommended. The author emphasises the role of social workers as change agents, promoting inclusive, participatory, and sustainable policies that prioritise equity and justice over profit. IMPLICATIONS Neo-liberalism interferes with core social work values and heavily influences social work practices as it promotes consumerism, individualism, and privatisation, loosening collective existence and social harmony. There is a pressing need for re-imagining welfare systems to balance market efficiency with social equity. Social workers can play a vital role in further research and development of inclusive and participatory policy frameworks to tackle neo-liberal challenges.

ABSTRACT Historically, kinship care was considered “high risk” in comparison to general foster care and therefore best practice models of supporting kinship have not been prioritised. In this article the author emphasises the importance of adopting evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches in the kinship space to encourage reflection and robust discussion. Without this, the sector risks experiencing a decline in kinship care, mirroring the trends seen among general carers over time, which would adversely impact children requiring supportive, alternative care placements. IMPLICATIONS Kinship carers experience many of the same challenges and barriers as general foster carers in Australia, including financial, social, and emotional hardship, and require greater focus on their unique experience of assessment, training, and support. Social workers in child protection are uniquely placed to advocate for and develop more evidenced-based, trauma-informed approaches to support kinship care.