Case Study: Children thrive when their parents are supported to feel SEEN
Creating the environments children need to flourish begins with recognising that: children thrive when the adults in their lives feel seen, supported, and connected.
SEEN: The Film (2025) was created to spark exactly that kind of reflection and collective action — inviting communities, professionals and parents alike into a deeper conversation about what children truly need to grow.
For producer Sam Jockel, this work didn’t begin with the film. Since 2010, she has been building large‑scale parent communities — first through the ALDI Mum Facebook page (170,000+ followers), then the School Mum community (440,000+ followers). In 2017, Sam launched ParentTV, a platform offering credible, expert guidance for parents navigating the challenges of raising children today.
Through this journey, one idea emerged again and again: when parents feel understood, resourced, and emotionally grounded, their children benefit profoundly. This insight became the seed for SEEN — a documentary exploring how adult healing, self‑awareness and relational attunement influence children’s wellbeing.
From the beginning, Sam knew SEEN had to be more than a film — it had to be a collaborative movement. Bringing together leading voices in neuroscience, psychology, and parenting — including Maggie Dent, Dr Billy Garvey, Lael Stone, Professor Selena Bartlett, Dr Vanessa Lapointe and Nathan Wallis — SEEN set out to make complex ideas accessible and to invite whole communities into the conversation.
To ensure the film reached as many families as possible, Sam sought partners who shared her vision for change. One of the earliest supporters was Queensland Kids Partnership (QKP), who recognised the potential of SEEN to strengthen community understanding of what nurtures children’s development. Together with the Queensland Family and Child Commission and sector leaders across the state, QKP helped mobilise funding, amplify promotion, and open doors for a statewide rollout.
SEEN premiered globally in Sydney on 2 March 2025, followed by a national tour. With more than 300,000 views of its promotional reel and interest from over 150 venues and organisations, the film is igniting a groundswell of awareness around adult wellbeing and its ripple effect on children.
A particularly meaningful part of the collaboration has been QKP’s commitment to helping SEEN reach families beyond major centres. We encouraged and supported screenings across Queensland and introduced Sam to the Tim Fairfax Foundation, who have funded screenings in regional, rural and remote communities — ensuring families everywhere can engage with the film’s message.
At its heart, SEEN is about seeing parents, caregivers and communities for the vital role they play in children’s lives. This partnership — grounded in shared purpose and collective commitment — demonstrates what becomes possible when organisations come together behind a vision that puts children’s wellbeing at the centre by supporting the adults who care for them.
To find a screening near you, or to watch online, visit seenthefilm.com
