Children and young people in out-of-home care navigate a digital world filled with both opportunities and risks. Their unique experiences of trauma, disrupted relationships and placement instability can heighten their vulnerability to online harm—such as grooming, sextortion, cyberbullying and financial exploitation. For many, technology also offers vital avenues for connection, identity, and expression—making it essential that we balance protection with participation.

 

This session will introduce Safe and Connected, a new national practice guide developed by the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care in partnership with the eSafety Commissioner. We’ll outline why a trauma-aware, rights-based approach to online safety is essential, and explore how workers, carers and organisations can respond with confidence.

 

Together, we’ll walk through key features of the resource—including real-world case examples, practical tools, and an adaptable framework to guide your planning, intervention, and support across the care team. Attendees will leave with free access to the guide and insights on how to embed relationship-based, harm-minimisation strategies into everyday practice.