Billy Black

Communications and Learning Specialist

Billy is our Communications and Learning Specialist, focusing on messaging and storytelling that empowers the voice of children and young people in care through the design and development of training, resources, and special projects.

Active in systems advocacy for children in care from 15 years old, Billy has brought the child’s experience to social worker training, carer training, participatory research, speaking events, carer accreditation panels, media appearances, and projects championing the voices of children.

Since graduating from care, Billy has listened to and participated in hundreds of valuable stories from care alumni peers, families, social workers, and organisations to lay a fundamental work principle that all improvements to OOHC must empower children to safely lead their own stories with ample support from their trusted adults.

Billy lives on the lands of the Wallumedegal clan, where all working hours are accompanied by the sounds of good children playing nicely.

Articles written by

Billy Black

What is neuroaffirming practice and how can it help young people in out-of-home care?
What is neuroaffirming practice and how can it help young people in out-of-home care?
The 2nd of April is World Autism Awareness Day, celebrating and promoting understanding and inclusiveness of people on the autism spectrum. In out-of-home care, neurodiversity...
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Q&A with the trainer: Behaviours that challenge
Q&A with the trainer: Behaviours that challenge
One of our most frequent requests at the CETC is for more training on how to respond to the behaviours of young people in out-of-home...
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Q&A with the trainer: Trauma-informed supervision
Q&A with the trainer: Trauma-informed supervision
Over the recent decades, we have seen leaps in research and practice promoting the importance of taking a holistic trauma-informed approach to caring for children...
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The effective and efficient approach to preventing placement breakdowns
The effective and efficient approach to preventing placement breakdowns
For children with complex trauma, the out-of-home care sector is more often reactive rather than proactive or preventative. Not many programs exist to provide significant...
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Untangling the challenges of FASD and trauma
Untangling the challenges of FASD and trauma
In honour of FASD Awareness Month this September, the CETC brought together esteemed thought leaders Dr Julia Shekleton, Prue Walker, and Noel Macnamara to delve...
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Trauma-informed care connects to children’s needs; trauma-informed carer training should connect to carers’ needs
Trauma-informed care connects to children’s needs; trauma-informed carer training should connect to carers’ needs
The CETC is thrilled to announce our new online course “Caring for Children and Young People with Trauma” is now live and free for all...
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New years’ resolutions and other goals for teens in care
New years’ resolutions and other goals for teens in care
When I was a teen in care, I found the (well-intentioned) focus on my progress from case workers and other adults exhausting. If I tried...
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Extending care support past age 18 to 21
Extending care support past age 18 to 21
How old were you when you moved out of home for the first time? Did you continue to get support from home, perhaps for an...
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Supporting LGTBQIA+ Young People in Care to Explore Identity
Supporting LGTBQIA+ Young People in Care to Explore Identity
In this month’s Community of Practice workshop, we explored the additional challenges that LGBTQIA+ young people face in care, reflecting on how to provide a...
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“Powerful children who can control their worlds are happier, secure children,” Q&A with Billy Black
“Powerful children who can control their worlds are happier, secure children,” Q&A with Billy Black
This month, we are thrilled to welcome Billy Black to our team at the CETC as a Care Experience Resource and Training Specialist. Billy has...
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