Working Together to Prevent Everyday Harm

We are proud to be a community partner in a new project aimed at preventing everyday harm for young people with cognitive disability.

The newly launched Working Together Preventing Everyday Harm website gives families, carers, and support workers simple, practical tools to spot, prevent, and respond to these moments—so support feels safe, respectful, and empowering every day.

What Is Everyday Harm?

Everyday harm happens often and can be unintentional. It occurs in everyday interactions and may go unnoticed, but it can still have real effects on a person’s life.

Everyday harm can affect someone’s:

• Emotions
• Mental health
• Physical health
• Growth and learning
• Relationships
• Reputation

Examples include:

• A worker talks about a person in front of them, not with them.
• A support worker assumes someone “can’t” do something instead of asking.

Practical Resources You Can Use

Everyday harm can be prevented by everyone involved in support relationships: people with disability, support workers, managers, families, and communities.

The Working Together Preventing Everyday Harm website provides easy-to-use materials, including:

• Videos and training guides
• Step-by-step tools and advice
• Guidance for families, carers, and support professionals

These resources are designed to strengthen relationships and create safer, more respectful support environments.

Building Trust and Inclusion

Preventing everyday harm is about trust, understanding, and inclusion in everyday interactions. It’s about helping people with disability feel seen, listened to, and empowered every day. Whether you’re a family member, carer, or support professional, these resources give clear guidance you can put into practice straight away.

About the Research

This website is the result of an Australian Research Council-funded project, led by researchers from Flinders University and UNSW Sydney, focused on preventing everyday harm for young people with cognitive disability.

Explore the Website

Find all the resources, tools, and guidance here: https://everydayharm.org.au

Please note: We’re sharing this link so you can access the resources directly. DANA supported the project as a partner, but we don’t manage the website or its content. Information in this post was accurate when published.