Growing Futures

05/09/2026

For those organisations who have attended one of my workshops in recent years you will know I recommend ThinkUKnow.

Please share this with your families!

For everyone else: well worth checking out their resources and attending!

The AFP will host free ThinkUKnow online safety webinars during National Child Protection Week from 6-12 September.

The 90-minute sessions, including time for questions, will help parents, carers, educators and the wider community better understand the online environment and safe behaviours for young people.

Topics will include:
* How children and young people use technology and social media.
* Apps, games and online platforms.
* Online grooming and child sexual exploitation.
* Self-generated child abuse material.
* Sexual extortion (sextortion).
* Online challenges and emerging risks.
* Practical strategies to help keep children and young people safe online.
* Reporting pathways and support services.

There will also be practical tools and resources to start conversations about online safety, build digital resilience, and respond appropriately if a child experiences harm online.

Dates (with links to register) are:

Monday, 7 September, 2pm
https://bit.ly/4xxPVOm

Tuesday, 8 September, 6pm
https://bit.ly/4yGUUwz

Thursday, 10 September, 2pm
https://bit.ly/4gClJvx

Thursday, 10 September, 6pm
https://bit.ly/4xG0tuM

01/09/2026

At your next staff meeting, ask your team this:
“Is there any safety rule we have that feels outdated, clunky, or hard to follow when things get busy?”
Getting these crucial insights straight from staff and volunteers on the ground is one of the easiest ways to spot risks and make continuous improvements to the way you protect children and young people.

02/07/2026

The way we've shared music has always been a small act of love. You hear a song that cracks you open a little, and you send it to someone with the quiet hope that it might undo them too. That's the sweet version. And Spotify's new messaging feature is being sold to us in exactly that language, a tid...

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

I've been flagging this as a concern in recent training, organisations who share children's photos must consider how fast technology is moving and understand the very real risks that exist.

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) issued a recommendation to educational institutions to remove any identifiable pictures of children from their websites and social media accounts.

https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/security/ai-deepfake-school-blackmail-b2974349.html

‘Online sexual abuse of children is reaching pandemic levels,’ says former national policing lead for child protection

16/05/2026

Upcoming Interactive Workshop

Join a small, interactive group to unpack Victoria’s Child Safe Standards, apply them to your organisation, and leave with more confidence in ensuring your organisation is child safe.

What you’ll get:

A full overview of The Victorian Child Safe Standards, their intent and practical strategies to ensure everyone on your team understands what they need to do to keep children safe and comply with the legislation.

Facilitated small‑group discussions with Principal Consultant, Helen Haydock, who has a Masters in Forensic Psychology and extensive experience working across both community and forensic settings ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable adults.

Access to a wide range of useful resources to support ongoing learning after the session.

Please note: Limited places available to ensure meaningful discussion.

When: Friday May 22nd, 12pm
Where: Online (small-group Zoom sessions)
Price: $85

Book now via Eventbrite

This interactive workshop will support participants in strengthening the implementation of The Child Safe Standards in their organisation.

10/05/2026

Practical, expert led workshop for child safety champions. Join a small, interactive group to unpack Victoria’s Child Safe Standards, apply them to your organisation, and leave with greater confidence and clear actions.
• Full overview of the Standards + practical strategies to understand staff understand their obligations
• Small group discussions with Principal Consultant Helen Haydock
• Useful resources for ongoing learning
When: Friday 22nd May 12:00pm (online) | Price: $85
Limited places — book now via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/victorian-child-safe-standards-tickets-1986107265295?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true]

02/04/2026

Growing Futures was established in 2012 by Helen Haydock to address the need for specialised training solutions for organisations who work with children. Helen has a Masters in Forensic Psychology and 18 years experience working across both community and forensic settings; including prisons, childho...

01/04/2026

Queensland’s Child Safe Standards are now in full effect.

As of today, commercial services, clubs and associations, cultural and sporting organisations, religious bodies, and transport services join the list of sectors needing to comply with the Child Safe Standards, marking the last phase of commencement for these important reforms.

The Standards – part of Queensland’s Child Safe Organisations law – aim to create environments that protect children from harm when they interact with businesses and organisations. They’re an important way we will strengthen our culture of safety for all children in Queensland.

There are now more than 40,000 businesses and organisations that work with Queensland children or provide spaces or services specifically for them that will need to show they’re child safe by introducing these Standards. This includes small volunteer and community groups and sole traders, through to large and well-established organisations, like schools and hospitals.

If this applies to your organisation, we’re here to help! While we’re responsible for monitoring implementation, our focus is on working cooperatively with organisations to support their compliance – particularly in the early stages – as part of a graduated model of regulation. Visit our website to find our implementation guides and resources, and start your journey to being child safe today: qfcc.qld.gov.au/childsafe.