Breaking cycles of violence before harm escalates

Children exposed to family violence often carry the effects of trauma long
after the violence ends. Without early intervention, these impacts can affect emotional regulation, learning, relationships and long-term wellbeing.

Emerge is a sector leader in child-focused early intervention,
designing and delivering evidence-informed programs that respond early, reduce risk, and create lasting change for families.

Our early intervention work is grounded in best practice, robust evaluation, and continuous learning — and is designed to be effective, scalable and system-changing.

Early Intervention

Back on Track (ages 5–12)

Evidence-based early intervention for children and families

Back on Track is Emerge’s flagship early intervention program for children aged 5–12 who have been exposed to family violence and are showing signs of trauma-related behaviour at home or school.

The program was developed in response to a critical service gap and is now recognised as a leading model of early intervention in Victoria.

Through therapeutic group work, play-based learning and caregiver support, children learn to:

Understand and regulate emotions
Rebuild trust and connection
Strengthen relationships at home and school

Program features

Back on Track is an 18-week program delivered in tailored age brackets (early childhood, 5–8, and 8–12) that takes a whole family approach and incorporates:

Trauma-informed psychoeducation, play and art therapy
Parallel support for children and caregivers
Focus on safety, emotional regulation, attachment and behaviour
Strong collaboration with schools and community services

Too often, children only receive support once trauma-driven behaviours escalate into contact with child protection, justice or education exclusion systems. Emerge intervenes early - supporting children and safe caregivers before crisis becomes entrenched.

Click Learn More to email the Back On Track team. Please allow 2-3 business days for the team to reply.

Learn More

Early Intervention

Mini Messy Bots (ages 2–6)

Building safety, attachment and regulation in early childhood

Mini Messy Bots is a sensory and play-based therapeutic program for mothers and young children aged 2–6, designed to complement Back on Track and extend Emerge’s early intervention model to younger children.

Through shared creativity and guided play

Mini Messy Bots supports:

Secure attachment and co-regulation
Emotional safety and connection
Early developmental healing following exposure to violence

By intervening in the early years, Mini Messy Bots strengthens protective factors before trauma responses become embedded — laying foundations for healthier development, relationships and learning.

Proven impact

85 families participated in year one - all reporting increased safety and improved relationships
100% of participants completed the program and were connected to specialised ongoing therapeutic and case management support
100% of children re-engaged in school supported by an individualised learning and behaviour plan
100% of caregivers reported either a significant reduction - or complete cessation - of violent or aggressive behaviours, alongside noticeable increases in their child’s pro-social skills
100% of families reported increased social connection and reduced shame, attributed to the safe, shared experience of group-based therapeutic work
Safer homes and increased attachment achieved
A reduction in police and child protection involvement

Early intervention is one of the most powerful ways to prevent long-term harm for children impacted by family violence.

Back on Track demonstrates that early, targeted intervention can reduce escalation, prevent system involvement, and support children to remain safely housed, engaged in learning and connected to community. It has been independently evaluated in partnership with RMIT Centre for Innovative Justice and is designed for scalability across Victoria.

Get in touch with the Back On Track team below. Please allow 2-3 business days for the team to reply.

Send an enquiry

This program [Back On Track] has been a god send for my family. The team have been amazing and so supportive.

Parent participant

Early Intervention

Why early intervention matters

Family violence is deeply intergenerational. Without early, specialist support, families are often forced to return to unsafe environments, and children face increased risk of long-term harm.

Emerge’s early intervention programs:

Reduce escalation into crisis and homelessness
Improve safety and wellbeing for children and safe caregivers
Prevent costly justice, health and education system involvement
Deliver strong social and economic value

By investing early, governments and philanthropic partners can achieve, long-term savings, and safer futures for children.

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Help us break the cycle of violence

Your support can help expand these programs so more children receive the early support they need.