Institute of Child Protection Studies

Children and young people do best when they live and grow in safe and thriving families and communities. Their safety and wellbeing are central to our work. Understanding their experiences and providing them opportunities to inform our work helps us create evidence-informed solutions for services, systems, policies and practices.

As part of ACU, we are deeply committed to progressing the common good, in fighting injustice and helping to resolve challenges confronting those at the edges of society. We do this by strengthening the capacity of families, communities, and workforces to prevent child maltreatment. By fostering thriving communities we can play a role in improving the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

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Research with impact

ACU ICPS research with impact

We work collaboratively with government and industry organisations focused on child safety, child wellbeing and child rights. Our strong relationships with researchers, policy makers in government, organisational leaders and community partners ensure that our work has impact. We contribute to national conversations as well as organisational growth by offering consultations and delivering presentations.

Our key expertise is in qualitative and quantitative research with eminent researchers, institutions and community organisations. We draw on technical tools such as surveys, evidence reviews, interviews and focus groups. And we also engage with adults and children to learn from their lived experience.

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Our range of work

Using a variety of approaches, we address issues including children’s safety; child sexual abuse child protection services; child, youth and family services; the effects of adverse childhood experiences on mental health; youth justice and children’s courts; and public policy. 

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ACU safeguarding young people

Safeguarding children portal

The Safeguarding Children and Young People portal links organisations to resources, training and up-to-date research, helping them create an environment that’s transparent and accountable for keeping children safe.

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