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Reflections from Oxford: Understanding Trauma and the People We Support

The Arches Foundation attended Transform Trauma Oxford 2026 in September, providing four days of learning, reflection and connection with an international community of researchers, clinicians and practitioners.

Beyond Behaviour: What a smash room can teach us about trauma, anger and the nervous system

Recently, one of our residential care teams from Kallangur House at the Arches Foundation came together for a team building day. The morning began at a smash room, complete with (safely) smashing plates, glasses and electronics while wearing protective gear

Staff Safety Must Be Designed into the Work

Our key message at the National Healthcare Workplace Safety Conference in Melbourne was that wellbeing must be designed into the work. No single intervention—even a strong internal team—can carry responsibility for workforce safety in isolation.

Trauma-Informed Care Begins with Organisational Culture

Why culture and organisational conditions matter as much as training and frontline practice.

Things we wish we knew.

No training fully prepares you for the reality of working alongside children and young people who have faced significant hardship. You learn on the job, through moments of connection and confusion, through trial and through humility. So we decided to

Do we ever really make a difference?

Maybe they walked away mid-sentence. Maybe they rolled their eyes. Maybe they just went quiet. So you wonder: did any of that matter? The honest answer is — almost certainly yes. You might just not know it yet. From TCI training

A First Job. A Fresh Start. A Reason to Be Proud.

We love receiving positive updates from our Support Facilitators about the young people we care for.

Workforce Wellbeing: Beyond initiatives to core practice integration. Why caring about the caregivers makes sense.

As leaders, we carry a responsibility that extends beyond governance, compliance and operational outcomes. We are custodians of organisational culture.

The Case for Defining Complexity in Residential Care (Out Of Home Care) in Australia

The Arches Foundation believes the sector requires a contemporary, evidence-informed and trauma-informed understanding of complexity.

A first-time concert, and a memory that will last a lifetime

There are moments in this work that stay with you long after the shift ends. This is one of them. It started with music, the way it usually does. During regular time spent with a young person in Arches’ care,

Strengthening Workplace Safety Through the IPaM Journey: The Arches Foundation’s Commitment to Best Practice

The Arches Foundation recently completed the IPaM program, strengthening our health, safety, and wellbeing frameworks. With guidance from our advisor Jodie, we implemented proactive systems that not only meet but exceed current Workplace Health and Safety standards, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for our team.

Supervision as a Tool for Success

Supervision and reflective practice aren’t just processes, they’re essential tools that help our staff grow, stay resilient, and deliver the highest standard of care.

What We’re Learning from the Trauma Expression and Connection Assessment (TECA)

Healing is rarely linear. A reduction in one survival response often coincides with a rise in another: not as a setback, but as a sign that children are testing new ways to stay safe.

How We Use TECA to Increase Trauma-Informed Outcomes

Our internal research indicates that few children and young people we support in OOHC have adequate clinical support for the impact of developmental trauma.

Arches Joins 2025 QFKC Conference as Proud Sponsor and Special Guest

Under the theme “Leave No Child in Foster and Kinship Care Behind,” this year’s event brings together carers, advocates, and sector leaders to create meaningful change.

Breaking the Cycle: Paul Grainger’s Epic Journey for Youth Mental Health

Covering over 18,000 kilometres across eight states and territories, Paul is riding in support of Human Nature, a charity delivering nature-based and adventure therapy programs for at-risk young people.

The Healing Self: How Sharing Insider Knowledge Transforms Workplace Anxiety

Workplace anxiety often feels like a solitary battle, but in reality, it’s woven into the very fabric of workplace culture. Through the Insider Knowledge Project, staff discovered that sharing personal strategies for managing anxiety didn’t just help individuals—it sparked collective resilience.

Dynamics of Friendship

Friendships play a vital role in our development as teenagers and young adults. Humans are social creatures, much like cats in a clowder! Even if you’re an introvert who enjoys spending time alone, social interaction is still important to some

Patient expressing her anger sitting at psychotherapy

Steps to Help Process Anger

Anger is a powerful emotion that, if not managed properly, can negatively affect our relationships, mental health, and overall wellbeing. In this post, we’ll explore the physiology of anger and outline practical steps to process anger in a healthy way.

The woman fell from the bike. Trauma. The concept of cycling and

Breaking Family Trauma: What Does It Look Like and Why It’s Important

Understanding Trauma: Causes, Types, and Healing Solutions Trauma is an emotional and psychological response to distressing or life-altering events, such as car accidents, domestic violence, natural disasters, or abuse. It is common for individuals to experience shock, denial, or confusion

People, children, technology and addiction concept. Little girl with smartphones

Understanding & Overcoming Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition that involves repeated engagement in activities or substances despite harmful consequences. Whether it’s a behavioural habit like gambling or a substance like alcohol or nicotine, addiction can have a profound impact on individuals, families, and

The Arches Foundation Presenting at the Australian New Zealand Frontline Mental Health Conference 2025

Upcoming Presentation at the Australian New Zealand Frontline Mental Health Conference 2025 We are excited to present the “Insider Knowledge Project” at the 2025 Australian New Zealand Frontline Mental Health Conference. This innovative initiative explores the power of narrative therapy in fostering

The Arches Foundation Presenting at CAMHC 2025 and ICTC 2025

Upcoming Presentations at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2025 and International Childhood Trauma Conference 2025. In 2025, we will be presenting the P.A.C.E. Project, a groundbreaking initiative that transforms residential care practices for children and adolescents experiencing complex trauma, at

Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference 2024

At the 2024 Rural and Remote Mental Health Conference, we presented “Bridging Distances, Fostering Connections”, an exploration of our innovative approaches to addressing the unique mental health challenges faced by frontline workers and young people in rural and remote areas. The session

Our Panel Presentation at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2024

At the 2024 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, our panel discussion, titled “Collaborating on a Culturally Sustainable Mental Health Model for Young People in Care with Complex Needs,” focused on the urgent need for culturally inclusive approaches to mental health support

Narrative Therapy at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference 2024

In 2024, we presented on the integration of narrative therapy frameworks within residential care settings, showcasing how this approach empowers young people in out-of-home care to reauthor their life stories and build positive identity conclusions. Our innovative program trained care teams to

The Arches Foundation at the 2024 Australian New Zealand Frontline Mental Health Conference

At the 2024 Australian New Zealand Frontline Mental Health Conference, we proudly showcased our innovative Arches Neurobiological Profile Tool (ANPT). This presentation highlighted the intersection of neuroscience and mental health, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by frontline workers. With a

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