We bring together the brightest minds in child protection from every sector to innovate and share best practices. Join us to keep pushing the boundaries of research and practice to ensure that all children have the chance to thrive no matter what their experience.
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
It is with immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility that we welcome you to the ISPCAN Melbourne 2026 Congress (24-26 August 2026) in the vibrant city of Melbourne. On behalf of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and the Australian Childhood Foundation, we extend heartfelt thanks to each of you who is joining us from around the globe to accelerate our shared mission of protecting children, promoting healing, and building safer futures.
We meet at a pivotal moment in our work: the world is evolving faster than ever—technological change, shifting social norms, and emerging global crises all impact children and families in profound ways. At the same time, the core promise remains unchanged: every child deserves to live free from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and to thrive in safe nurturing relationships. It is this promise that calls us to act with urgency, innovation and compassion.
This Congress strikes at the heart of that call. Under the theme “Transforming approaches to safety and healing”, we will explore new paths in out-of-home care, youth justice, community prevention, digital safety, culture and diversity, and public health approaches to child protection. Our gathering of researchers, practitioners, advocates, policy makers and young people allow us to break down silos, challenge assumptions and co-create solutions that are bold and practical.
What makes this moment especially critical is the speed at which challenges are shifting. Families are under pressure from economic and climate shocks; institutions are grappling with new forms of risk; children’s lives are increasingly shaped by digital environments. Against that backdrop, our collective responsibility must be to accelerate — to move from discussion to action, from isolated successes to scalable solutions, from good intent to systemic change.
And so, we invite you to bring your whole selves to Melbourne: your expertise, your curiosity, your lived experience, your willingness to learn and to lead. Engage deeply in the sessions, connect across disciplines and geographies, contribute to conversations that push boundaries. Let us use this platform to forge partnerships that will outlast the three days of formal conference time.
Finally, we want to recognize the energy, commitment and resilience of all those here and beyond: the frontline workers, the investigators, the data-analysts, the researchers, the advocates, the caregivers, the young people with courageous voices. Your contribution matters. Together, we can—and will—create environments where children are safe, valued and empowered.
We look forward to meeting you in Melbourne, to engaging in meaningful dialogue, to celebrating successes and to charting our course forward together.
Warm welcome,
If you work in child protection, from any sector or do research then this congress is for you. Attend or present your work, it is up to you how you engage. ISPCAN brings together all disciplines, regions and marries research with practice so we can all learn.
Law, Medicine, social work, psychology, law enforcement, education, research, public health, NGO, government, sport organizations, religious organizations, and any others that work in child protection. We want you to be part of the discussions and solutions.
Delegates typically from over 70 countries, twenty international partners, and 50% from outside the host region attend ISPCAN Congresses. We thank our loyal members and welcome our new members to the ISPCAN Community of Learning.
ISPCAN Melbourne 2026 Scientific Theme
On the final day of the ISPCAN International Congress in Melbourne, governments, policy makers, researchers, public health agencies, NGOs and others working at country, regional and international level will convene to advance public health and system strengthening child protection solutions, seeking to catalyse scaled progress in ending chlid abuse and neglect.
Proposals for sessions sharing practical solutions, breakthrough strategies, best practice and real world experience on the following themes are invited:
All sessions should include government perspective, be interactive, and advance public health and system-strengthening approaches to child protection, addressing one or a combination of the six fundamental pillars of this approach.
Submissions now closed. Deadline for proposals was May 1st 2026
ACF provide therapeutic care services support children and young people who have experienced abuse, violence, and relational trauma—helping them feel safe, seen, and supported as they begin their healing journey.
Across Australia, we work directly with children and families in our national and regional centres. Find out more about our therapeutic programs and services:
