This Policy brief explores what makes community-based services for children and families effective. It identifies interpersonal and structural features that characterise effective services, and shows that how services are delivered is as important as what is delivered. Why is this issue important? Concern about the effectiveness of services for young children and families is based...

Constipation is defined as the infrequent passage of hard stools. Constipation is common during childhood, occurring in up to 25% of children. Low dietary fibre intake, slow transit time, coercive toilet training, and in some children abnormal contraction of the anal sphincters and pelvic floor can all cause constipation. Anal fissures can occur secondary to...

Good mental health is essential for children's learning, social development, self-esteem and resilience to stress throughout the life-course. Over half a million Australian children have significant mental health problems. This Policy Brief outlines ways that services can better support families to prevent mental health problems from developing in the first place. In this brief we...

It is widely known that an unsettled infant can be a major cause of stress for some parents. Not surprisingly infant sleep and settling is a major component for health professionals working with families. Of interest is the debate about what techniques are appropriate for parents and children. Some organisations have questioned some settling techniques...

Good dental health is essential to a child’s general health and well-being. This article addresses several aspects of child oral health from birth to around the time they enter school. More specifically this article will review the stages of normal dental development, dental decay and how to prevent it and some of the common non-nutritive...