ABOUT
Child Inclusive Practice is the foundation for working with families to ensure that children’s views and opinions are actively heard and considered in decision making and therapeutic forums. The 2027 forum will explore the principles and practice of working with children and young people in ways that genuinely recognise them as active participants, in their own right. As family circumstances become increasingly complex and service systems continue to evolve, how can practitioners ensure children’s views and experiences remain central to practice while balancing safety, broader family needs, and the child’s best interests. The theme for 2027 is Children and Young People in Their Own Right and will be held at Old Parliament House in Canberra on 11-12 March 2027.
The Child Inclusive Practice (CIP) Forum brings together mediators, social workers, psychologists and counsellors that work to keep the best interests of children at the forefront of Family Dispute Resolution (mediation) and child and family services. The purpose of the Forum is to enrich the practice of these specialists through learning and networking. The event is organised by FRSA with assistance from the CIP network.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - EXTENDED!
Child inclusive practice is founded on recognising children and young people as individuals with their own experiences, perspectives, and agency. While creating opportunities for children to express their views is an essential part of practice, listening is only the beginning. The real challenge lies in how practitioners respond to and meaningfully incorporate children’s views and perspectives into assessment, decision making, and therapeutic work. This year’s forum explores the principles and practice of working with children and young people in ways that genuinely recognise them as active participants, in their own right.
Child Inclusive Practice is the foundation for working with families accessing family dispute resolution services to ensure that children’s views and perspectives are actively heard and considered in determining parenting arrangements. As family circumstances become increasingly complex and service systems continue to evolve, practice across a range of services, beyond family law, strive to ensure that children’s and young people’s views and experiences remain central while balancing safety, broader family needs, and the child’s best interests.
The forum will showcase innovative approaches, emerging evidence, and reflective practice from across the family and relationship services sector, providing opportunities to strengthen capability, share practical strategies and explore how child inclusive practice can continue to evolve across a range of service settings.
FRSA invites abstracts for presentations from all professional domains that promote the genuine participation of children and young people and ensure their experiences and views are central in practice. The content will have a focus on research and practice presentations that incorporate the views and experiences of children and young people. How can we engage ethically and meaningfully with children and young people in their own right?
A limited number of concurrent sessions will be offered for a 30 or 60 minute verbal presentation (including question time).
Please consider and select one of the following sub-themes for your abstract:
- Children’s Participation and Voice in Family Dispute Resolution and other family and relationship services
Exploring meaningful ways to hear and incorporate children’s experiences, views and perspectives in family services.
Possible topics:
- Children’s rights and participation
- Ethical engagement with children
- Hearing children’s voices safely
- Child-focused versus child-inclusive approaches
- Working with children of different ages and developmental stages
- Responding to children’s expressed wishes and views
- Practice Challenges and lessons learned
- First Nations and Cultural and Diverse Perspectives
Exploring culturally responsive child-inclusive approaches.
Possible topics:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
- Culturally safe practice
- CALD communities
- Migrant and refugee families
- Faith and community considerations
- Children’s identity, belonging and connection
- Innovation and Emerging Practice
Showcasing new models, tools and approaches.
Possible topics:
- Digital and online engagement methods
- Creative and arts-based approaches
- Innovations in child consultation
- Technology and ethical practice
- New service models
- Evaluation of pilot programs
- Workforce Capability and Professional Development
Building practitioner confidence and competence.
Possible topics:
- Practitioner skills and supervision
- Workforce development
- Reflective practice
- Managing vicarious trauma
- Interdisciplinary approaches
- Quality assurance and fidelity in CIP
- Funding and sustainability
Your proposal must include the following:
- Title
- Abstract of no more than 250 words summarising your topic
- Methods: what are you basing your talk on (a case, your collective experience, data)? if your paper is data based, you must include details of the sample, measures and results. If it concerns a case, ensure all identifying details are removed.
- Intended contribution of your paper (what is the main question or message for your audience)
- Your preference for a time allocation: 30 or 60 minutes (includes question time)
- Author list, and name of intended presenter/s.
- Presenter contact details.
Submissions close 9:00pm AEDT, Friday, 23 October 2026. EXTENDED TO 9:00pm AEDT, Friday, 30 October 2026.
Applicants will be advised of acceptance in late November 2026.
Please call the FRSA office if you would like to discuss further: events@frsa.org.au or via phone (02) 6162 1811.
IMPORTANT DATES
Friday 23 October 2026Friday 30 October 2026 – Call for abstracts closes EXTENDED
Monday 23 November 2026– Notification of acceptance begins
Friday 18 December 2026 – Speaker registrations close – after this date speakers will need to pay the Standard rate.
Friday 18 December 2026 – Early bird registrations close.
GENERAL POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
- All abstracts must contain original work of the presenting author(s).
- A presenting author must submit the abstract.
- Abstracts must be submitted online by 9.00pm AEDT Friday 30 October 2026.
- Abstracts will not be accepted via mail, email or USB/CD.
- All required fields on the online abstract submission form must be completed.
- Those submitting abstracts must ensure that they have the support of their organisation/employer, and must ensure that their abstract has been approved by their manager prior to submitting.
- Acceptance of papers will be on the basis of blind peer review (i.e. your name and organisation will not be known to assessors).
- The Conference Managers will not be held responsible for abstract submissions not received via the website or for submission errors caused by Internet service outages, hardware or software delays, power outages or unforeseen events.
- Abstracts CANNOT be amended or replaced once submitted. The review process will commence as soon as the abstract is received.
- Ensure that you DO NOT leave any abstracts in the Draft stage by the close date, abstracts left in the ‘Draft’ stage will not be reviewed.
Note: all presentations must be delivered in person. Online presentations cannot be accommodated.
REGISTRATION
Registrations for the Child Inclusive Practice Forum NOW OPEN.
Please note that all persons intending to attend the Forum must register, including invited speakers, chairpersons and media. Please register via the buttons below.
Early Bird Registration Fee From 21 September 2026
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates |
| $680 | $780 |
Standard Registration Fee From 11 December 2026
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates |
| $780 | $880 |
Onsite Registration Fee Applicable** From 11 March 2027
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates |
| $930 | $1,030 |
**Registration received within this time period prior to the Forum going onsite receive an additional fee of $150.00
Speaker Registration*** opens 23 November 2026
All speakers must be registered by 15 January 2027
| Member Rates | Non-Member Rates |
| $600 | $700 |
***After 16 January 2027 Standard rates apply to Speakers
Need help? Please contact the Conference Secretariat via frsa@kaigi.com.au, or phone on 02 6198 3218.
BURSARY PROGRAM
FRSA is pleased to announce the availability of bursaries for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are registered for or would like to attend the 2027 Child Inclusive Practice Forum, Children and Young People in Their Own Right.
Bursaries are provided to assist with covering the cost of forum registration, and travel & accommodation. To be eligible you must be an employee of a fully financial FRSA member organisation. There are two bursaries available. Each package includes:
- 1x Complimentay Forum registration
- $500 towards travel and accommodation
The application process closes on FRIDAY, 29 January 2027.
Please note, this Bursary Program is open to people who are yet to register and those who are already registered.
VENUE INFORMATION
Old Parliament House
18 King George Terrace, Parkes, ACT, 2600
The Child Inclusive Practice Forum (CIP) will be held at Old Parliament House in the Members’ Dining Rooms. Restored to its 1927 elegance, the Members’ Dining Rooms have a sweeping vista up to new Parliament House.
Old Parliament House was the home of Australia’s federal government from 1927 to 1988. Today, it’s home to the Museum of Australian Democracy.
Built in the middle of a sheep paddock that is now part of the Parliamentary Triangle, Old Parliament House was at the centre of Australian democracy during its formative years. Significant events, protests, meetings and decisions in Australia’s history unfolded within the walls and grounds of Old Parliament House.
Transport
Old Parliament House (OPH) well connected by bus, bicycle and taxi/rideshare, and is easily accessible from Canberra Airport. Clear signage, venue maps and customer service staff are available on site to help visitors navigate the space confidently. For more information visit the OPH website.
Parking
There are paid, short-stay spaces at the front and on either side of Old Parliament House.
Paid, long-stay spaces are behind Old Parliament House on Queen Victoria Terrace and next to the Treasury and John Gorton Buildings, all a five-minute walk from our front entrance.
Parking can be paid for via the EasyPark app or credit card. Only some machines accept coins.
Free accessible parking and accessible pick-up and drop-off are located at the front of the Museum.
All parking is uncovered.
SPONSORSHIP
The Child Inclusive Practice Forum offers an exceptional opportunity to showcase your organisation to an engaged audience of approximately 200 delegates from across Australia.
The Forum has established a reputation for delivering high quality speakers and presentations relevant to a range of individuals and organisations working in the child inclusive practice space. Sponsorship will greatly enhance your organisation’s profile within this sector as well as allowing you to be seen supporting the work of family and relationship services.
Recognised for delivering high-quality presentations and expert speakers, the Forum attracts professionals and organisations committed to dedicated to hearing the voices of children and young people advancing child inclusive practice. By becoming a sponsor, your organisation will gain valuable exposure within this specialised sector while demonstrating your dedication to hearing the voices of children and young people.
For further information please contact the FRSA Team at events@frsa.org.au, call the FRSA office 02 6162 1811.
ACCOMMODATION
We have secured rooms at a selection of hotels near the Forum Conference Venue with flexible terms and conditions exclusively for attendees of the Child Inclusive Practice Forum. Book early to secure your room and let our dedicated accommodation team look after you whilst taking advantage of our special rates.
Need help? Please contact the Conference Secretariat via frsa@kaigi.com.au, or phone on 02 6198 3218.
East Hotel
Conveniently located in the heart of Canberra, East Hotel is a family affair with Italian roots. This 140-room boutique property stretches the mould of a “design hotel” with an emphasis on moody and sumptuous interiors alongside warm and authentic service. Find East Hotel in the Inner South of Canberra. A prestigious location that is the perfect base to explore the city by foot, pedal or car. Nestled in Kingston, the Capital’s founding and oldest suburb, the best culinary, cultural and adventurous experiences are right at East Hotel’s doorstep.
Parking: Complimentary parking available.
3.5 km from Old Parliament House (6-minute drive)
East Studio
Room rate: $250 per night.
Travelling on your own? This room is perfect for an overnight stay, complete with your own kitchenette and dining table, it has all you want to stay warm and sleep tight. Don’t forget the Nespresso machine for your essential morning coffee fix!
Room size: 30 sqm.
Luxe Studio
Room rate: $280 per night.
This room is designed for guests who are staying at EAST and wanting the comfort of space and luxury of an executive spa tub and a balcony.
Room size: 41 sqm.
East Apartment
Room rate: $320
This modern apartment is large and spacious at 63m2. It has a separate living room, bedroom, balcony, bathroom, kitchen and laundry. Additional bedding for families, up to 5 people, can be arranged for an additional fee.
Room size: 63 sqm.
Hotel Kurrajong
Deluxe Room
Room rate: 10 March: $399, 11 March: $239, 12 March: $199
Max Occupancy: 2
Hotel Kurrajong Canberra’s corridors are steeped in the capital’s political history. The hotel team consider themselves proud custodians of its heritage, passionately sharing stories of its early days during guided tours. Its roots are reflected in the hotel’s beautiful Art Deco décor, nostalgic ambient lighting, jazz music and a lounge filled with books and artworks on the city’s political history and leaders.
Payment note: The hotel reserves the right to charge the full room cost to the booking credit card at 30 days prior to the Forum.
Parking is available at a rate of $18.00 per day. Car spaces are subject to availability.
750 m from Old Parliament House (3-minute drive, 11-minute walk)
Little National Hotel Canberra
Little National Room
Room rate: $200 per night
Max Occupancy: 2
Nestled within the Realm Precinct at the heart of Canberra’s Parliamentary Triangle, Little National Hotel sits moments from national icons including Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Library of Australia.
Parking: Undercover secure parking is available for $20 per 24 hours.
1.2 km from Old Parliament House (5-minute drive, 18-minute walk)
The Brassey Hotel
Standard Room
Room rate: $190 per night
Max Occupancy: 2
Located on the footsteps of the Parliamentary Triangle, the Brassey Hotel is set on two and a half acres of manicured gardens and lawns. This 1920’s hotel has old world charm with all the comforts of a quality property. Positioned within Canberra’s most prestigious suburb of Barton, you will be a short stroll from all the iconic attractions including Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library, Old Parliament House and Lake Burley Griffin.
Car parking: Brassey Hotel has limited complimentary outdoor, onsite car parking available for hotel guests. Undercover secure parking is available in the Realm Precinct for $20 per 24 hours.
1.3 km from Old Parliament House (4-minute drive, 19-minute walk)
