Social Contexts
Social contexts include parental separation, divorce, geographical isolation, out-of-home care, and changes in care and kinship care. The section highlights two family scenarios: children in separated households and children in foster, kinship or other out of home care.
There are a number of ideologies of the family; this is not the same as one idealised type of family. McMahon and Grace (2022) state that the quality, stability and responsiveness of the relationship(s) children have is more significant for their development than any particular family structure. This is relevant in early childhood development as teachers can have to deal with children whose care-giving circumstances vary throughout their time at school.
A family-systems perspective allows educators to think about how a big shift in one family member could affect family relationships and routines. From an ecological lens, children's experiences of separation and/or alternative care are also shaped by extended family, peers, ECEC services, legal systems, child protection and government policy (Grace et al., 2022). A wider view helps teachers not to fault individual families and to consider the wider systems in which the child is living.
Children entering out-of-home care can have been neglected, abused, have had parents who were sick, or family violence occurred. Children's need for stability, identity, participation, belonging and continued relationships are emphasised by Cashmore et al. (2022) and the need for child protection is recognised.
Impact on Children and Families
Parental separation can cause anxiety, sadness, clinginess to parents or changes in behaviour and routines for young children. Each child's experiences can differ in terms of attachment, placement changes, family contact and identity issues, which can also occur in foster or kinship care. Positive peer relationships and stable ECEC environments may support emotional wellbeing and a sense of belonging (Neilsen-Hewett et al., 2017). Predictable routine, familiar relationships, sensitive communication can support children. They are also required to communicate properly with authorised carers, adhere to collection procedures, keep information confidential and not assume responsibility for family situations.
Social Policy and Australian Responses
Safe and Supported: The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021–2031 promotes coordinated action to protect children and strengthen family wellbeing. The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic.) is a key child protection framework in Victoria that includes mandatory reporting obligations for relevant practitioners (AIFS, 2026). Victoria’s 11 Child Safe Standards further promote child participation, family engagement, cultural safety, diversity and safe organisational practices (Victorian Government, 2026). These policies advise ECEC educators to record concerns, take appropriate action on disclosures, report disclosures, adhere to child safety procedures, accept recognised care arrangements, and work alongside other professionals, but not to investigate concerns of harm themselves.
Resources
Four Programs/Websites
Raising Children Network – Separation and Divorce – Provides developmentally informed Australian guidance to help families understand children's responses to separation and support adjustment.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/family-diversity/parenting-after-separation-divorce
Relationships Australia – Provides information, counselling and referral pathways for families experiencing relationship change.
https://relationships.org.au/
Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) – Provides evidence-based research and practice resources on child protection, family relationships, out-of-home care and family/community services. Educators can use CFCA to strengthen evidence-informed decision-making (AIFS, 2022).
https://aifs.gov.au/research-programs/child-family-community-australia
Safe and Supported – Supports professional understanding of Australia's national child-protection framework and coordinated approaches to child and family wellbeing.
https://www.dss.gov.au/safe-and-supported-national-framework-protecting-australias-children-2021-2031
Four Storybooks
Two Homes – Claire Masurel
Shows children that love and belonging can continue across two different homes and can support discussions about changing family arrangements.
The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
Uses a simple metaphor to explore emotional connection despite physical separation.
The Kissing Hand – Audrey Penn
Can reassure young children who are separated from important caregivers and support conversations about comfort and connection.
Maybe Days: A Book for Children in Foster Care – Jennifer Wilgocki and Marcia Kahn Wright
Introduces foster care, uncertainty and the roles of supportive adults in a child-friendly way.
Four Videos/Shows/Media
Play School family-focused episodes – Represent varied family structures, relationships and experiences of belonging.
Sesame Street in Communities – Provides child-friendly resources relating to family change, emotions and coping.
Daniel Tiger's Neighbourhood – Models routines, separation coping and emotional expression.
Bluey – Selected episodes can support conversations about relationships, different family experiences, communication and emotional understanding.
Helping Children Cope After a Divorce- This video provides strategies to support children’s emotional wellbeing and adjustment following parental separation or divorce.
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