Guidelines for Contributors 

(Please read before posting.) 

What this space is for 

This is a moderated Community of Practice, for people working with children, young people and families in complicated circumstances, including trauma and ongoing adversity. 

It is a space for: 

  • learning and reflecting together 
  • asking practice-based questions 
  • exchanging resources and perspectives 
  • supporting peers within professional boundaries 

It is not a space for: 

  • managing crises  
  • providing case management or legal advice 
  • making complaints about individuals or services 

 

What is welcome 

You are encouraged to post: 

  • practice dilemmas framed for learning 
  • reflective questions 
  • resources, tools, or research 
  • experience-based insights (clearly labelled as such) 
  • respectful disagreement and discussion 

Confidentiality matters 

To keep everyone safe, confidentiality is essential. Please do not post anything that could identify a child, young person, family, practitioner, service, or location — even indirectly. 

Avoid: 

  • names, initials, photos, documents 
  • exact ages, dates, places, schools, placements 
  • detailed timelines or “recognisable” stories 

If in doubt: Focus on the practice question, not the case details. 

 

Safety and safeguarding 

This space is not monitored as an emergency service. 

If you are worried about immediate risk: 

  • follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedures
  • contact relevant statutory services 

Messages suggesting immediate risk may be paused or declined — this is a protective step, rather than a judgement. 

 

Advice and professional boundaries 

Remember to: 

  • be clear about what is opinion vs evidence 
  • avoid presenting clinical or legal guidance as definitive 
not provide instructions that could cause harm or enable unsafe or unlawful practice 


Share perspectives, not instructions 

 

Tone and respect 

Be mindful that some members of the community may have lived experience or be facing current difficulties. And as we do not routinely verify members’ identities, it is possible that young people or family members are present.  

Please communicate respectfully, and avoid comments you would not feel comfortable families hearing. 

Please: 

  • be kind and non-judgemental 
  • critique ideas, not people 
  • avoid shaming language about children, families, or professionals 
  • be mindful of how inequality and discrimination can intersect, and ensure your contributions are respectful of diverse backgrounds, needs, and perspectives. 

Disagreement is welcome; disrespect is not. 

 

Moderation 

All messages are moderated before posting. 
Messages may be edited, paused, or declined to protect safety and learning. 


This is about maintaining the space — not judging contributors. 


Thank you for helping us create a space that is thoughtful, safe, and useful for everyone.