Why Australia’s Most Important Jobs Need a Stronger Policy for Parents

Parents remain largely overlooked

Public policy invests heavily in systems that respond to problems, but often gives less attention to parents and carers. The researcher, who has studied child maltreatment, child protection and family welfare for three decades, says support is fragmented and commonly arrives only when families are in crisis.

Warm, responsive and consistent parenting is associated with better mental health, educational outcomes and relationships, as well as lower risks of abuse, neglect, violence and offending. Yet parenting support is often treated as optional or reserved for families seen as having problems.

The article compares this approach with health policy: improving health would be difficult if investment went only to hospitals and ambulances, rather than also supporting GPs and vaccination programs. It argues that parenting needs a coherent national support system.

Prevention before crisis

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study found that many Australians experience multiple forms of harm. Abuse, neglect, family violence, bullying and other adversity can overlap, accumulate through childhood and affect health, education, employment and relationships later in life.

The article says statutory child protection services cannot address problems that may begin long before authorities receive a notification. A public health approach would aim to reduce risks, strengthen protective factors and offer support across the population, rather than focus mainly on serious harm after it occurs.

Supporting families and schools

Youth justice discussions often centre on policing, detention, sentencing and community safety. But many young people who enter the system have experienced adversity, including abuse, neglect, family violence and family disruption. The article argues that supporting parents and carers early should be part of efforts to prevent offending.

After a safety crisis in early childhood centres last year, parents interviewed by the researchers said they wanted to protect their children but often lacked confidence, resources and chances to learn about body safety, consent and signs of grooming or harm. Schools are also being asked to teach consent, respectful relationships, gender-based violence and online safety. The article says schools have an important role but cannot do this alone, and points to research highlighting school–family partnerships.