Overview
How and when to express “love” in our care, support and teaching roles with children and young people.
The following guidelines are offered for families, schools, programs and agencies.
©Creative Commons, 2024. These guidelines were developed through a Community Conversation process facilitated by Life Buoyancy Institute Foundation between December 2023 and March 2024. May be applied and modified under a Creative Commons licence with relevant attribution.
Working Guidelines
It is possible for an individual, school, or program to bring an intent for unconditional love and acceptance for a child, but not explicitly name the word “love” in language.
Children and young people who experience “love” through unconditional acceptance, belonging and care are in the best position to achieve their potential, express resilience and are empowered to express unconditional love and connection to others. It is the foundation of wellbeing.
Children with backgrounds of trauma and instability may have:
- Not experienced unconditional love and acceptance.
- Experienced “love” with an association with abusive or unsafe behaviour with others.
- Have developed unhealthy, incomplete or distorted understandings of love.
No matter the child’s context, it is inherent that all supporting adults bring a growth intent to:
- Growing healthy understandings and experiences of “love” and “unconditional connection”.
- Growing feelings of unconditional worth, love and acceptance.
Despite this, the term “love” is a contested and polarising concept. In some teaching and professional settings “love” is actively communicated and used within interactions with children, young people, families and adults. In other settings, the term is regarded as unprofessional and stepping over professional boundaries. This document is designed to provide guidance to families, schools, programs and agencies and how they can express the intent and actions of love in a manner that:
- Is done in a child-safe and aware manner.
- Recognises the risks and benefits of expression.
- Reflects the local needs and context of the family, school, program or agency.
- Provides the best opportunity for children to grow, heal and thrive.
Community Conversations
Life Buoyancy Institute Foundation facilitate annual Community Conversations for leaders and practitioners from Child Protection, Education and Community Services sectors. Community Conversations provide a safe space for multi-disciplinary perspectives to share, reflect and wrestle with relevant topics and challenges, strengthening their intentional practice for the trauma and wellbeing responsive communities they support.
For information on upcoming conversations, visit Upcoming Events.
