Supporting children living in out-of-home care

Take part in free professional training to help you meet the needs of children living in care.

An educator interacting with one of the two children in outdoor play area

Free professional learning is available for educators and kindergarten teachers to strengthen support for children living in out-of-home care.

The online sessions explore key areas including:

  • understanding the needs and experiences of children living in care
  • identifying strategies and resources that promote their participation, inclusion and wellbeing in early childhood education and care settings.

About the sessions

The Department of Education LOOKOUT teams run the sessions. LOOKOUT staff are education specialists who support professionals to strengthen trauma-aware, culturally safe and inclusive practice for children in out-of-home care.

The free sessions will be held in September, October and November 2026. Each session runs for 1.5 to 2 hours. Teachers and educators can register for one or all of these sessions.

These sessions count towards Victorian Institute of Teaching required learning.

Trauma informed individual learning plans for children in out-of-home care

Increase your understanding of trauma-informed individual learning plans for young children living in out-of-home care.

  • Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026
  • Time: 10 am to 11.30 am
  • Platform: Microsoft Teams
  • Cost: free.

To register, refer to: Trauma Informed Individual Learning Plans.

Impact of trauma on children in out-of-home care

Increase your understanding of childhood trauma and its impact on young children living in out-of-home care.

  • Date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
  • Time: 12 pm to 2 pm
  • Platform: Microsoft Teams
  • Cost: free.

To register, refer to: Impact of trauma on children in out-of-home care.

Supporting children in out-of-home care in early childhood education and care settings

Explore specific needs and effective support strategies for children living in out-of-home care.

  • Date: Thursday 12 November 2026
  • Time: 9.30 am to 11.30 am
  • Platform: Microsoft Teams
  • Cost: free.

To register, refer to: Supporting children in out-of-home care in early childhood education and care settings.

Find out more

For more information on supporting children living in care, refer to Supporting children placed in out-of-home care - information for early childhood professionals.

Updated