Several policy frameworks have been crafted by Australia in an attempt to protect children and assist families in times of crisis. The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2021-2031 is concerned with early intervention and multi-agency collaborative service delivery to prevent harm and assist recovery (Department of Social Services 2021). In times of natural disasters, recovery is planned with the help of government agencies, which include emergency accommodation, financial assistance, and mental health support for families affected (Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, 2023).
State child protection laws require early childhood services to report cases of suspected family violence or child abuse and also to participate in coordinated care planning (NSW Ombudsman, 2023). Targeted support is available through Safe at Home and Brighter Futures for families facing domestic violence or homelessness-witnesses include counselling, parenting programs, and housing assistance (AIHW, 2022). Also, the National Resilience Framework and other resilience-building frameworks guide services in building coping skills and promoting emotional wellbeing among children affected by emergencies (Australian Resilience Centre, 2023). Yet, while these efforts have been made, problems concerning service accessibility, especially in rural or remote settings, persist; therefore, a pressing need for continuous investment and engagement with the community exists.