This study involved interviews with 58 children and young people in government-run or funded services in Tasmania. Our report on their experiences of safety helped to inform the work and recommendations of the Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry.
Bravehearts commissioned us to conduct a systematic review of studies of children (both victims and perpetrators of sibling-based harmful sexual behaviour), adult survivors of childhood sibling sexual abuse, affected family members, and professionals such as teachers, health and social care workers.
Respect Victoria commissioned a substantive body of evidence reviews from a wide range of experts to help understand what we know - and don't know - about the prevalence, nature, drivers, and risk factors of different forms of violence against women, family and gendered violence. We focused on researching a range of factors (environmental, structural, parental and child-risk elements) that drive child maltreatment.
This research identified the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who experience domestic and family violence and who intersect with child protection systems. The project outlined which service responses are effective using Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and wisdom.
While child safety is a national priority, there is limited knowledge on what constitutes ethical practice in child-serving organisations and its role in creating safe environments for children. This research underscores the complexity of implementing ethical practices in diverse child-serving settings and highlights the need for nuanced, context-sensitive approaches that place children’s perspectives at the forefront.
This project aimed to inform policy development by understanding the lived experiences of care leavers in the ACT and exploring effective support models from other jurisdictions.
Dr Aino Suomi, Nina Lucas, Institute of Child Protection Studies; Associate Professor Nicki Dowling, School of Psychology, Deakin University; Professor Paul Delfabbro, School of Psychology, The University of Adelaide
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, 2020-2021
The broad aim of the project was to systematically identify and map out gambling harms experienced by children due to parental gambling. The specific research questions were:
Family and relationships are commonly cited when estimating the economic and psychological costs of gambling harm. However, very little research exists on the effect of gambling harm experienced by the children of gamblers. This study sought to examine and map out the specific types of gambling harm experienced by children by directly asking children and parents themselves.
3 stages of the project:
The data collection for the study finished in the first half of 2021, and data analysis has been completed. Analysis looked at specific patterns of harm that children experience as a result of parental problem gambling that may involve emotional, behavioural, interpersonal, and financial problems as well as exposure to family violence and other family welfare concerns.
The outcomes of the study can be used for public health messaging to encourage help-seeking for gambling harm. They can also inform treatment approaches for gamblers who are parents, their children and significant others.
The study found that parents and children identified different patterns and degrees of harm to children caused by parental gambling. Parents reported lower incidents of harm, and commonly focused on financial impacts. Children however reported higher incidents of harm, and mainly focused on the psychosocial impacts of parental problem gambling.
Adult children exposed to parental gambling reported more current mental health problems compared to participants who had not been exposed to parental gambling. These were related to specific types of harm as a result of parental problem gambling, particularly verbal and physical abuse, and child welfare calls.
Parental problem gambling severity was found to have a negative impact on predicting offspring problem gambling severity. The results suggest that being exposed to severe psychosocial consequences of parental gambling may act as a deterrent against problematic gambling behaviours in later life.
Constantinou, M (2020). Problem gambling and families: the hidden voices of children. IMPACT, Australian Catholic University.
Dowling, N. A., Oldenhof, E., Cockman, S., Suomi, A., Merkouris, S. S., & Jackson, A. C. (2019). Problem gambling and family violence: Factors associated with family violence. victimisation and perpetration in problem gamblers. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
Suomi, A., Bailey, M., Lucas, N., Dowling, N., & Delfabbro, P. (2023). "It's like you're not even there…": Gambling harm experienced by children of gambling parents. Children and Youth Services Review: 145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106800
Suomi, A., Lucas, N., Dowling, N., Delfabbro, P. (2021). Gambling harm experienced by children of parents who gamble, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne.
Suomi, A., Dowling, N. A., Thomas, S. A., Abbott, M., Bellringer, M., Battersby, M., … & Jackson, A. C. (2018). Patterns of intimate partner and family violence in problem gamblers. Journal of GamblingStudies, 1-20.
Roberts, A., Landon, J., Sharman, S., Hakes, J., Suomi, A., & Cowlishaw, S. (2018). Gambling and physical intimate partner violence: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions (NESARC). The American Journal on Addictions, 27(1), 7.
Cowlishaw, S., Suomi, A., & Rodgers, B. (2016). Implications of gambling problems for family and interpersonal adjustment: Results from the Quinte Longitudinal Study. Addiction. 111(9), 1628-1636.
Dowling, N. A., Suomi, A., Jackson, A. C., Lavis, T., Patford, J., Cockman, S., Thomas, S., Bellringer, M., Koziol-Mclain, J., Battersby, M., Harvey, P., & Abbott, M. (2016). Problem gambling and intimate partner violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. IF: 4.33
Dowling, N. A., Jackson, A. C., Suomi, A., Lavis, T., Thomas, S. A., Patford, J., … & Bellringer, M. E. (2014). Problem gambling and family violence: Prevalence and patterns in treatment-seekers. Addictive Behaviors, 39(12), 1713-1717.
Suomi, A., Jackson, A. C., Dowling, N. A., Lavis, T., Patford, J., Thomas, S. A., Harvey, P., Abbott, M., Bellringer, M. E., Koziol-McLain, J., & Cockman, S. (2013). Problem gambling and family violence: family member reports of prevalence, family impacts and family coping. Asian Journal of Gambling Issues and Public Health, 3(1), 1-15
Suomi, A., Lucas, N., Dowling, N., & Delfabbro, P. (2021). Parental problem gambling and child wellbeing: Systematic review and synthesis of evidence, Addictive Behaviors, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107205
For further details contact us.
Dr Aino Suomi, Institute of Child Protection Studies; Associate Professor Nicki Dowling, Deakin University
Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation for 2019-2020
Phase 1
During this phase we developed an evidence-based framework for the engagement of individuals with lived experience of gambling related harm. The framework included strategies for multiple levels of engagement in research and provided clear guidance as to the appropriate definitions and lived experience terminology for gambling context. Research questions:
Phase 2
During this phase we applied the model developed in Phase 1 to examine the lived experience of gambling-related harms and co-existing mental health conditions. Research questions:
Suomi, A., Dowling, N.A., Thomas, S. et al. (2019). Patterns of Family and Intimate Partner Violence in Problem Gamblers. Journal of Gambling Studies. 35: 465. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10899-018-9768-9.
Suomi, A., Freeman, B., & Banfield, M. (2017). Framework for the engagement of people with a lived experience in program implementation and research. Australian National University, Canberra.
Suomi, A., & Dowling, N. (2020). Lived experience of help-seeking in the presence of gambling related harms and coexisting mental health conditions. Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne.
Suomi, A. Dowling, N. A., & Jackson, A. C. (2014). Problem gambling subtypes based on psychological distress, alcohol abuse and impulsivity.Addictive Behaviors, 39(12), 1741-1745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2014.07.023.
Lubman, D., Manning, V., Dowling, N., Rodda, S., Lee, S., Garde, E., Merkouris, S. & Volberg, R. (2017). Problem gambling in people seeking treatment for mental illness. Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Melbourne.
For further details contact us.
We investigated the risks and protective factors regarding harmful sexual behaviour among siblings, responses to disclosure, and therapeutic or other responses to cases of sibling sexual abuse.
People involved in family court or child protection processes who have mental health issues can be subjected to stigma and discrimination. We conducted a high-level rapid evidence review of the issues relating to their experiences for the National Mental Health Commission. The review examined three domains: self-stigma, public stigma, and structural stigma/discrimination.
James McDougall, Alex Cahill and Carelink staff
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
To build and support child safe and child centred safeguarding practice
Carelink designs and delivers services for adult survivors of abuse and their partners and families. The survivors have experienced sexual and other forms of abuse perpetrated by clergy and other individuals appointed or employed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. Carelink coordinates counselling and support for adult survivors.
Carelink also supports children and young people as family members and is developing workforce skills and capabilities to support survivors who are children and young people. We are working with Carelink to ensure the organisation is both child safe and child centred with appropriate safeguarding polices for children and young people.
Our work was informed by our knowledge and understanding of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013-17). The Royal Commission made numerous recommendations and outlined regulatory and best practice reforms for child safety in the Catholic Church community and in civil society.
Our work for Carelink was also informed by the Child Safe Standards in Victoria and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: child-friendly poster. See the full details of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We developed guidelines to help staff engage with children and young people based on clear communication techniques and child-centred practice. The guidelines were based on human rights principles such as respect, safety and wellbeing, equity and diversity, and accountability. We also developed a guide to safeguarding in practice that is centred on a trauma-informed care and practice service delivery model underpinned by positive practice.
Practice Guidelines addressed:
Consent & Privacy Guidelines addressed:
Survivors of abuse will benefit from better safeguarding practices, and a safeguarding approach with child-centred and child-safe practice will provide better protection for vulnerable children and young people.
For further details contact us.
Sebastian Trew, Douglas Russell, Prof. Daryl Higgins
Prepared for the National Suicide Prevention Advisor and the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce, commissioned through the Australian Government Department of Health Suicide Prevention Research Fund, managed by Suicide Prevention Australia, Suicide Prevention Research Fund
Addressing key priority 1 of the Suicide Prevention Research Fund - to learn more about 'what works' to prevent suicide and suicidal behaviour - we conducted a literature review on interventions that focused on wellbeing and were designed for out-of-home care for at-risk children and young people. We then analysed whether and how these interventions were effective in reducing suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and deaths by suicide.
Further, addressing key priority 2 relating to factors that are protective against suicide, we identified protective factors (e.g., access to clinical interventions and support for help seeking) that contributed to the effectiveness of an intervention.
We found limited evidence on effective interventions that specifically address the risk of suicide-related behaviours for children and young people in the child protection system and in out-of-home care. Globally only two studies have evaluated the efficacy of interventions to reduce suicidal behaviours in young people in care. We suggest that services adopt high-quality evaluations of part of any existing interventions that are trauma informed to reduce suicidal behaviour in young people interacting with child protection and out-of-home care systems across Australia.
The report was prepared for the National Suicide Prevention Adviser and the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce, commissioned through the Suicide Prevention Research Fund, managed by Suicide Prevention Australia.
The Fund was established by the Commonwealth Government to support world-class research into suicide prevention and facilitate the rapid translation of knowledge into more effective services for individuals, families and communities.
The Taskforce worked with an Expert Advisory Group, a Commonwealth Interdepartmental Committee and a State and Territory committee to identify key priorities: research to understand the experiences of people with lived experience of a suicidal crisis and/or a suicide attempt and evidence reviews to enhance planning for cross-portfolio initiatives.
Our report was one of five evidence checks commissioned through the Fund. All evidence checks are available on the Suicide Prevention Australia website.
Institute of Child Protection Studies. (2020). Reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviour in young people in contact with child protection. [Video]. Suicide Prevention Australia. https://youtu.be/P5q_W1aipJ4
Trew, S., Russell, D. H., & Higgins, D. (2020). Effective interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours among children in contact with child protection and out-of-home care systems - a rapid evidence review. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. https://doi.org/10.26199/5f1771a5a6b9e
Suicide Prevention Australia. (2020). Effective interventions to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours among children in contact with child protection and out-of-home care systems - a rapid evidence review. [Infographic]. Suicide Prevention Australia.
Russell, D. H., Trew, S., & Higgins, D. J (2021). Vulnerable yet forgotten? A systematic review identifying the lack of evidence for effective suicide interventions for young people in contact with child protection systems. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000555
Oversight and coordination of safeguarding and professional standards for the Catholic Church in Australia
The aim of this project for the Steering Committee for Safeguarding of Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia was to develop an operating model and a business case specifying how the Catholic Church could effectively and efficiently provide safe places for all people, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable persons, in its places of worship and ministry.
This project aimed to understand the needs and experiences of kinship carers, particularly during the first 12 months of their engagement with the Child and Youth Protection Services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Assoc Prof Tim Moore, Alex Cahill, Sebastian Trew (Institute of Child Protection Studies); Dr Stewart McDougall (University of Edinburgh; Dr Sarah Cox, Ebony Tucker, Dr Martine Hawkes (University of South Australia)
South Australian Early Intervention Research Directorate
Across Australia, young people who have experienced maltreatment and/or engagement with child protection and homeless systems are more likely for their children to be removed from their care than others. This study aims to build the evidence about ways that multigenerational child protection engagement might be reduce by understanding young people's aspirations towards parenting and relationships.
Complete
In 2021, the South Australian Department of Human Services (the Department) funded the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia (ACCP) to conduct a study to better understand the needs and experiences of young people who had experienced maltreatment or who had been otherwise engaged in the child protection or youth homelessness systems. The study was guided by a series of research questions, including:
After completing this study, the Department was interested in exploring the experiences of young people who become parents. They commissioned the Institute of Child Protection Studies to conduct a nested study to consider the experiences of young people with experience of out-of-home care or homelessness who had become parents before turning 25. The nested study aimed to answer the broad research questions, while also considering:
Moore, T., Cahill, A., & McDougall, S., (2022). I wasn't quite ready: The aspirations and pathways to parenting of young people who are parents. Melbourne: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
McDougall, S., Moore, T., Cox, S., & Arney, F. (2023). Parenting aspirations of Australian young people who have experienced adversity: "I'll work on everything else before working on having a kid". Children and Youth Services Review, 145, 106715.
Tim Moore for further information.
James McDougall, Institute of Child Protection Studies; Commissioner for Children and Young People Tasmania Policy Team
Tasmanian Government
To provide sound policy support for effective engagement with children and young people
This project is built on the principle that children and young people have rights, including the right to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. We worked with the Policy team at the Office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People (CCYP) Tasmania to provide advice on how to support those rights. We also helped them review and update policies and procedures to enable and support engagement with children and young people.
This work informed the new Policy Framework that guides the work of the Commissioner in promoting and empowering the participation of children and young people in decision-making which affects them, or the expressing of opinions on matters which may affect their lives.
The Policy Framework reviewed and updated materials and procedures that addressed issues and challenges such as consultations, ethical practice, consent, and the use of images.
The project contributes to knowledge and learning that enables the engagement of children and young people in decision making and public policy development.
Children and young people will be supported to be involved safely and ethically in policy and decision making.
The Policy Framework will be available publicly to guide community and government in engagement. It will help CCYP Tasmania offer leadership to the Tasmanian community in the protection, participation and engagement of children and young people.
For further details contact icps@acu.edu.au
This study sought to identify the specific barriers and enablers in conducting domestic violence research with children, providing insights to support ethically sound and trauma-informed research frameworks that enable children’s voices to inform policy and service responses.
A review of evidence of effective teaching strategies - content, teaching methods and delivery modes - for child sexual abuse prevention programs for children in pre-school and the early years of primary school aged 2 to 8 years delivered by Bravehearts.
The kContact study developed and trialled a contact program for children in long-term out-of-home care who were having supervised contact with their parents. It aimed to contribute to the research evidence by conducting one of the first randomised controlled trials of a contact intervention between children in out-of-home care and their parents.
Professor Daryl Higgins, Tania McKenna, Jacqui Stewart
Australian Department of Social Services
The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 provides a framework for action by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to reduce violence against women and their children. It sets out six national outcomes to work towards over the 12-year timeframe.
Action plans exist to drive the fulfilment of these outcomes. A priority of the Third Action Plan 2016-19 was enhanced service responses for children living with violence.
Consistent with this priority, the Working with Children project aimed to build the capacity of practitioners in specialist and mainstream service providers to respond to the impacts of violence on children.
The team developed online modules and facilitator-led training to build the capacity of practitioners to:
The flexible design of the learning resources makes them suitable for workers with varying expertise. For instance, workers with a strong knowledge of the impacts of family and domestic violence might use the materials to learn about child-centred practices. Workers experienced at working with children can use the materials to learn about the impacts of violence.
The learning content and principles of the Kids Central Toolkit informed the design and delivery of the Working with children initiative. Developed in 2007, the toolkit aims to provide workers and services with information, resources and tools to use child-centred approaches in their work with children, young people and families.
Professional learning and development resources: Safeguarding Children and Young People Portal
A/Prof Stephanie Taplin (led by Dr Melissa O’Donnell Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia)
NSW FACS
This project builds on and complements the ongoing research that is being conducted by Associate Professor Stephanie Taplin in NSW (Australian Catholic University) and Dr Melissa O’Donnell in WA (Telethon Kids) examining the nature, extent and impacts of removals of infants by the child protection system. By analysing this additional sample of infants from the NSW Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study, a more comprehensive picture of how to improve the out-of-home care experience and trajectories for infants will be obtained, and lead to greater benefits for policy and practice.
For more information, contact Assoc/Prof Stephanie Taplin
An investigation of how we can better support birth family relationships for children over time. The study, funded by NSW Department of Communities and Justice, analysed data over four waves related to children who entered out-of-home care in 2010-11.
We explored families’ experiences of intensive family support services as part of a project that examined preservation and restoration services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) child protection system from the perspective of families.
Prof Daryl Higgins, Mr Douglas Russell, Prof Alberto Posso (RMIT)
Douglas Russell
Systematic reviews offer a broader and more reliable picture of research undertaken in the past. While many studies have investigated prevention strategies of child sexual abuse in developing and anglophone countries, little research, and no reviews have investigated the success, or challenges, facing prevention strategies in countries with less developed laws and fewer resources. The aim of this systematic review is to identify which types of prevention strategies are used most often, which ones are successful in their aims, and whether this links to preventing child sexual abuse or not.
James McDougall, Dr Sheridan Kerr (Institute of Child Protection Studies), , Alasdair Roy OAM (Child Rights Specialist/Consultant Psychologist)
Marist College Canberra
To develop safeguarding and respectful relationships in a Catholic school community
Marist College Canberra is an independent Roman Catholic primary and secondary day school for boys, founded in 1968 by the Marist Brothers. The College has developed a Respectful Relationships Framework to guide its work to support respectful relationships within the school community. The project investigators have supported the roll out of the Framework with advice, support and evaluation using a co-design methodology to build better safeguarding and respect in the school community.
As the Framework is rolled out, students, teachers, staff, parents and families across all year levels will improve their knowledge of respectful relationships. This will happen against a backdrop of the whole organisation being more informed about safeguarding practices and actively supporting respectful relationships in a faith-based school environment. It may well be a model for other faith-based communities.
Contact us for further information.
This study aimed to increase our knowledge about the nature, extent and impact of the removal of newborns and infants from their mothers. It was conducted in two Australian jurisdictions (NSW and WA) and comparisons were made with findings from parallel studies in England and USA.
Dr Justin Barker, Dr Debbie Noble-Carr
ACT Community Services Directorate
The Family Foundations Program was established at Belconnen Community Service in the ACT to provide evidence-based early intervention services to vulnerable families with children up to 5 years of age. ICPS has been commissioned by the ACT Community Services Directorate to evaluate the extent to which the program has been evaluated as intended, and the extent to which it has made a positive difference to families.
The evaluation will inform the development of policy and practice, particularly in regards to the way that the program understands, relates to, and supports children and families, ultimately improving the service outcomes for these groups in the community.
Reports:
Trew, S., Stewart, J., Thorpe, R., Tewson, A., & Higgins, D. (2019). Family Foundations Outcome Evaluation. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Barker, J., Thorpe, R., & McArthur, M. (2018). Family Foundations Process Evaluation. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University
Practice paper:
Issue 25: Institute of Child Protection Studies (2019). Family Foundations an early intervention parenting support program (PDF, 680KB), Research to Practice Series. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
For more information, contact Sebastian Trew.
This project addressed the tensions between the protection of children and young people and their participation in social research about sensitive issues. It explored how ethics committees, parents, others gatekeepers and children themselves manage and navigate these tensions.
Alex Cahill, Jacqui Stewart, Prof Daryl Higgins, Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur, Dr Bianca Hoban, Dr Chloe Gordon (ACU); Dr Debbie Scott (Monash/Turning Point)
Australian Government Department of Social Services
The Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioned the ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies to develop and pilot a methodology to investigate service system responses for families where child protection concerns exist within the context of family violence. The Queensland Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women (a statutory child protection service) participated in the research, providing data for the pilot.
The aim of the project was to understand the nature of services (particularly whether they were child-centred), the case management approach and the service system pathways for children and young people exposed to domestic family violence and who were also engaged with the child protection system.
The project had four stages:
The study identified both the barriers and the enablers to effective case management. We then developed key actions to help practitioners work towards actions that enable positive outcomes and improve service provision.
This project ran from 2017-2019. It was funded by DSS to support to key national agendas:
Gordon, C., Higgins, D., McArthur, M., & Scott, D. (2018). Literature review conducted for Phase 1 report: Service system responses to the needs of children to keep them safe from violence. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Cahill, A., Stewart, J., & Higgins, D. (2019). Service system responses to the needs of children to keep them safe from violence. Melbourne: Australian Catholic University, Institute of Child Protection Studies.
Cahill, A., Higgins, D. & Kerr, S. (2020). System reform for children and young people in statutory child exposed to domestic and family violence, Research to Practice Series. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
There is limited research exploring how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience family and domestic violence, how they perceive this, and what their support needs are. This study aimed to identify strategies for talking to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experiencing family and domestic violence.
Dr Justin Barker, Prof Morag McArthur
Family and Community Services, NSW Government
The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), in partnership with ICPS, was commissioned by FACS to undertake a process and outcome evaluation and an economic assessment of the Youth Hope Program (YHP). The primary aim of the YHP is to maximise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families who are involved in (or who are at risk of being involved in) statutory child protection services. The program also aims to pilot innovative models of service delivery, which means that the services delivered in each of the program sites differ.
The process evaluation examined the extent to which the YHP has been implemented as planned (and if not why not), while the outcome evaluation assessed the overall effectiveness of the program. Specifically, the evaluation addressed the following research questions:
The economic assessment of the YHP:
This project aimed to identify effective strategies to attract, support, and retain foster and kinship carers, thereby enhancing the stability and quality of care provided to children and young people.
This project carried out a meta-analysis of evidence to explore qualitative investigations of children's views and experiences of family and domestic violence. We included data from child protection, family support, family homelessness and family relationships (separation and divorce) domains.
Vicky Saunders, Prof Morag McArthur
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
This project investigates the help-seeking behaviours, needs and potential service responses for a range of target groups who are concerned about potentially sexually harmful or sexually abusive behaviours. Specifically the research project aims to explore:
Saunders, V., & McArthur, M. (2017). Help-seeking needs and gaps for preventing child sexual abuse. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Sydney.
Emeritus Prof Morag McArthur, Steven Roche, Elise Woodman
Internal funding
This project aims to inform the further development of child centred practice that will assist children to participate in child protection practices in appropriate and meaningful ways. The research findings will inform the development of policy and practice strategies that will increase children's meaningful participation in child protection decision-making. The first stage of the research is to survey statutory child protection agency workers across all Australian state and territories. The second stage will be to interview statutory child protection workers. Ethics approval has been granted by the Australian Catholic University Human Research Committee.
For more information, contact ICPS@acu.edu.auDr Tim Moore, Steven Roche, Karen Milward, Morag McArthur; in partnership with ACIL Allen Consulting
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
The Targeted Care Packages is an initiative of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and forms part of reforms to better support building strong families and safe children in Victoria, and securing a sustainable out of home care system. The TCP is designed to enable individualised and flexible supports for home-based care not available within the current funding arrangements. It enables the child or young person’s transition from residential care into an alternative living arrangement, where their experience of care is more positive and their needs better met.
In 2016-17, the Department of Health and Human Services appointed ACIL Allen Consulting to evaluate the implementation and early achievements of Targeted Care Packages (TCP). ACIL Allen Consulting has partnered with the Institute of Child Protection Studies to conduct a discrete piece of work that considers children and young people’s perspectives on the program.
For more information about this project, contact Dr Tim Moore.
Dr Tim Moore, Rhys Thorpe, Renee Crowe
Life Without Barriers
Young people are often placed in residential care settings in an attempt to provide them with safe, stable, nurturing environments free from risks of harm; and where better health, education, well-being and social outcomes can be achieved. However, there is growing evidence to suggest that many young people’s needs are not adequately met within residential care settings and that improvement in a range of domains is required.
Life Without Barriers (LWB) is a large provider of residential services to young people in NSW (among other states). Alongside other strategies to improve quality service delivery and to ensure that services and supports are meeting the needs of young people, Life Without Barriers has commissioned ICPS to gather some baseline data that informs service improvement, but also allows the organisation to be able to assess its progress. Interviews with children and young people in LWB residential care units will be conducted in November and December 2016 with an interim report prepared in January 2017.
For more information about this project, contact Dr Tim Moore.
Dr Justin Barker, Prof Morag McArthur, Lorraine Thomson
Department of Social Services, Australian Government
As a member of the Department of Social Services (DSS) Expert Panel, ICPS has been commissioned to assist and support service providers as part of the Outcomes Measurement Project. This project aims to provide assistance to Families and Children (FaC) service providers to strengthen their capacity to develop and deliver outcomes measurements and reporting.
Selected services may receive a range of supports depending on their specific needs. Assistance may include:
Support may be provided in a variety of ways including one-on-one or group training, onsite visits or workshops to develop and implement client assessment processes.
For more information about this project, contact Justin Barker.
Vicky Saunders, Prof Morag McArthur, Winangay Resources Inc., Australian Centre for Child Protection (University of South Australia)
Sidney Myer Fund
The aim of this research is to examine the effectiveness and implementation of kinship carer assessment tools developed by an Aboriginal community organisation. The research will explore:
ICPS is supporting the implementation of the research in the eastern states, and will undertake 20 semi-structured interviews with aboriginal kinship carers. ICPS will lead the analysis of qualitative data.
For more information, contact Morag McArthur.
Dr Justin Barker, Prof Morag McArthur
Family and Community Services, NSW Government
The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), in partnership with ICPS, was commissioned by FACS to undertake a process and outcome evaluation and an economic assessment of the Youth Hope Program (YHP). The primary aim of the YHP is to maximise the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and their families who are involved in (or who are at risk of being involved in) statutory child protection services. The program also aims to pilot innovative models of service delivery, which means that the services delivered in each of the program sites differ.
The process evaluation examined the extent to which the YHP has been implemented as planned (and if not why not), while the outcome evaluation assessed the overall effectiveness of the program. Specifically, the evaluation addressed the following research questions:
The economic assessment of the YHP:
Dr Justin Barker, Dr Tim Moore, Steven Roche
Melbourne City Mission
Consistent with recent conceptualisations of homelessness, the family-level ‘causes’ of youth homelessness are diverse and complex, and are interwoven with both individual and social/cultural factors. In response, this project aimed to explore the contemporary social and cultural factors that contribute to family conflict and breakdown that may lead to young people experiencing homelessness, as well as the risk and protective factors for family conflict and breakdown.
The research findings detailed the contemporary pressures and causes that contribute to family conflict that can lead to homelessness, provided an understanding of the contemporary social and cultural context of family conflict and homelessness for young people, and informed policy and practice and contribute to the development of measures to positively impact the lives of young people.
For more information about the program, contact Steven Roche.
This study was designed to inform the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in assessing the effectiveness of current prevention programs. It heard directly from children and young people about their views and knowledge of safety issues, as well as how they think these issues should be addressed.
Dr Justin Barker, Dr Tim Moore, Steven Roche
Melbourne City Mission
Consistent with recent conceptualisations of homelessness, the family-level ‘causes’ of youth homelessness are diverse and complex, and are interwoven with both individual and social/cultural factors. In response, this project aimed to explore the contemporary social and cultural factors that contribute to family conflict and breakdown that may lead to young people experiencing homelessness, as well as the risk and protective factors for family conflict and breakdown.
The research findings detailed the contemporary pressures and causes that contribute to family conflict that can lead to homelessness, provided an understanding of the contemporary social and cultural context of family conflict and homelessness for young people, and informed policy and practice and contribute to the development of measures to positively impact the lives of young people.
For more information about the program, contact Steven Roche.
Prof Morag McArthur, Prof Daryl Higgins
Dr Debbie Scott (Monash University, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre)
Department of Social Services (DSS), Australian Government
The risk factors for child abuse and neglect, and the intersection of family and domestic violence services with related systems such as statutory child protection services, is a key objective in the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020. Additionally, the Victorian Government's 2015-16 Royal Commission into Family Violence noted that children are 'frequently marginalised' in current responses to family violence, and there is a need for stronger links between child protection, specialist family violence services, and other service providers which respond to family violence.
DSS commissioned this study to:
Part 1 of the study will include a quantitative analysis of child protection files, in which researchers will analyse and compare characteristics between families where family violence has been identified; and those where no family violence has been identified, in two jurisdictions. Part 2 will include qualitative interviews with child protection practitioners and non-government agency workers, to understand the nature of interventions and decision-making, and implications for safety and well-being of both mothers and children.
This project aims to be completed by June 2018.
For more information about this project, contact Morag McArthur.
This study examined how services may better support refugee parents to care for their children, to minimise the number of children entering the statutory care and protection system. The study looked at the social resources and connections that refugee parents and their children need to support positive parenting skills, build family relationships and build communities.
Dr Tim Moore, Prof Morag McArthur, Steven Roche, Dr Jodi Death, Prof Clare Tilbury
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
This study builds on the Children’s Safety Study and explored the experiences of young people and their safety in residential care. It aimed to understand what young people believe institutions are doing to identify, prevent and respond to sexual abuse and problematic sexual behaviours among young people. The study included interviews with young people, and a workshop with young people and key stakeholders to develop a youth-centred response to sexual abuse.
For more information about this project, contact Dr Tim Moore.
Moore, T., McArthur, M., Roche, S., Death, J., & Tilbury, C. (2016). Safe and sound: Exploring the safety of young people in residential care. Melbourne: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Sydney.
Moore, T., McArthur, M., Death, J., Tilbury, C., & Roche, S. (2017). Young people's views on safety and preventing abuse and harm in residential care: "It's got to be better than home". Children and Youth Services Review.
Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Roche, S. (2017). Safe and Sound: The safety concerns of young people in residential care. Issue 17, Research to Practice Series. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Roche, S. (2017). Safe and Sound: Creating safe residential care services for children and young people. Issue 18, Research to Practice Series. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
ICPS. (2017). YouTube animation on young people's safety in residential care. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Prof Fiona Arney (Australian Centre for Child Protection), Dr Tim Moore, Prof Morag McArthur
The Healing Foundation
The Healing Foundation is an independent Indigenous organisation engaging communities to develop healing amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It commissioned three Aboriginal controlled agencies in Kununurra, Darwin and Brisbane to develop programs that help communities (particularly children, young people and families) to deal with intergenerational trauma. In partnership with the Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP), ICPS evaluated these initiatives.
This evaluation was the first large-scale study across multiple jurisdictions to provide empirical evidence of the effectiveness of diverse approaches to addressing intergenerational trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
For more information, contact Dr Tim Moore.
Associate Professor Stephanie Taplin, Dr Giovanna Richmond, Professor Morag McArthur
Australian National Council on Drugs
This report describes policies and practices across Australia, reviews the literature on the identification of maternal alcohol and other drug use, and identifies 'best practice' in the management of substance-using pregnant women. The outcomes of this project will provide valuable findings to inform policy and practice in relation to maternal alcohol and other drug use nationally.
For more information about this project, contact Associate Professor Stephanie Taplin.
Publications:
Taplin, S., Richmond, G., McArthur, M. (2015). Identifying alcohol and other drug use during pregnancy: Outcomes for women, their partners and their children (PDF, 645KB). Canberra: Australian National Council on Drugs.
Prof Morag McArthur, Dr Tim Moore, and Debbie Noble-Carr
Department of Social Services
This 6 month project aimed to assess the extent and nature of children’s qualitative evidence that is available to inform social policy and practice in the domain of family and domestic violence. This project carried out a meta–analysis of the available evidence to explore and synthesise knowledge from qualitative investigations of children’s views and experiences of family and domestic violence. Due to overlapping domains; child protection, family support, family homelessness, family relationships (separation and divorce) research were included.
The questions framing the project included: what do children say about their experience of family violence and what do say they need from the service system? The project also identified the current research gaps in what we know children think about these issues. Using QRQC as a systematic method for assessing quality, key findings were synthesised both at a descriptive level (what do children commonly say) and at an interpretive level (what do the findings mean for policy and services). This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the possible evidence available to policy makers.
For more information about this project contact Prof Morag McArthur.
Dr Justin Barker, Prof Morag McArthur
Community Services Directorate, ACT Government
In 2013, the Community Services Directorate commissioned ICPS to develop an evaluation plan for the ACT Child, Youth and Family Services Program (CYFSP). The CYFSP commenced in 2012 and provides an integrated and collaborative service system for vulnerable children, young people and families in the ACT. The Evaluation Plan was submitted in July 2013.
In 2014 the Community Services further commissioned ICPS to develop and conduct a process evaluation to assess the extent to which the CYFSP has been successfully implemented as intended and identify key issues and lessons learnt to aid future program implementation. This project assessed the feasibility of an outcome evaluation that would focus on the effectiveness of the CYFSP, asking the question: how much has the CYFSP achieved its desired outcomes?
A report was submitted to the Community Services Directorate in late 2014.
This scoping study addressed the under-recognised impacts on biological children in foster families who often face significant challenges and responsibilities without sufficient support.
This study, based in the Australian Capital Territory, examined the lived experiences of refugee children and families to identify effective support strategies and to better understand how their identities as refugees shaped their resettlement experiences.
Children of incarcerated parents face significant challenges and are often subject to higher levels of disadvantage, including poverty, family violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues. This project aimed to understand the unique needs of these children and to identify effective individual, family, and community responses that can help build resilience.
Debbie Noble-Carr, Dr Justin Barker, Prof Morag McArthur
ACU Institute for Catholic Identity and Mission
This qualitative study explored the role and potency that concepts such as identity, and a search for meaning, have in the lives of vulnerable young people. Literature has found that having a positive view of self, the world and the future is important in the lives of vulnerable young people. However, much of this research is international (predominately the UK and USA), and little is actually known about how the current service system in Australia does, or should, support vulnerable young people in a search for positive identity and meaning.
During 2012, 24 interviews were completed with vulnerable young people in the ACT aged between 15 and 25 years. Through these interviews, the study elicited an in-depth narrative of the young people's life experiences, with particular reference to how they view themselves and make sense of their world and their place within it. The implications this has for how the service sector provides support to vulnerable young people was also explored.
For more information about this project, contact Debbie Noble-Carr or Dr Justin Barker.
Noble-Carr, D., Barker, J., & McArthur, M. (2013). Me, Myself and I: Identity and Meaning for Vulnerable Young People. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Noble-Carr, D., & Woodman, E. (2017). Considering identity and meaning constructions for vulnerable young people. Journal of Adolescent Research.
Institute of Child Protection Studies. (2013, 16 April). Research Report Launch: Me, Myself and I - Identity and meaning for vulnerable young people [Media Release]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Noble-Carr, D. (2013, 16 April). Seminar and Launch: Identity and Meaning for vulnerable young people [rich media playback]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Noble-Carr, D., & Barry, E. (2013). Identity and meaning in the lives of vulnerable young people. Research to Practice Series, Issue 2, June. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Lorraine Thomson, Prof Morag McArthur, Erin Barry
Community Services Directorate, ACT Government
The ACT Child, Youth and Family Services Program (the CYFSP), funded by the ACT Community Services Directorate, provides an integrated and collaborative service system for vulnerable children, young people and families in the ACT. The CYFSP commenced in 2012, with 28 non-government organisations providing a range of services in the community.
ICPS developed a detailed Evaluation Plan for the CYFSP, including an evaluation framework, evaluation approach, and a set of tools for data collection during the life of the evaluation.
For more information, contact Morag McArthur.
Thomson, L., McArthur, M. (2013). Detailed Evaluation Plan: Child, Youth and Family Services Program. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Dr Justin Barker, Prof Morag McArthur
Hanover Welfare Services and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
This project aimed to document, analyse and synthesise the national and international academic and community services literature on effective programs, service models and practices with children (12 years and under) experiencing homelessness and family violence.
It identified the key elements, mechanisms and practice tools/resources employed in effective service models and practices with these children and their care-givers; and identified the similarities and differences between services provided through the homelessness sector and those provided through family violence services for infants, preschool and primary school aged cohorts. It also referenced key approaches (e.g. family sensitive practice) and service models in the child protection and family support services programs.
For more information about this project, contact Dr Justin Barker.
Barker, J., Kolar, V., Mallett, S., & McArthur, M. (2013). What works for children experiencing homelessness and/or family/domestic violence? Part 1: Literature Synthesis. Melbourne: Hanover Welfare Services.
Kolar, V., Barker, J., Mallett, S., McArthur, M., & Nette, A. (2013). What works for children experiencing homelessness and/or family/domestic violence? An Abridged Report. Melbourne: Hanover Welfare Services.
Justin Barker, Peter Humphries, Morag McArthur, Lorraine Thomson
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
This evaluation of 'Reconnect' assessed the appropriateness and effectiveness of responses and intervention strategies for working with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It examined the extent to which Reconnect services implemented early intervention strategies that directly helped them to achieve their intended objectives. The findings from the evaluation will inform the future direction of Reconnect.
The project was guided by the proposed key evaluation questions outlined by FaHCSIA:
Using a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation incorporated both qualitative and quantitative methods. It drew upon existing data and reviews and collected new data for analysis. An international literature review was produced that outlines available evidence addressing strategies for working with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Barker, J., Humphries, P., McArthur, M., & Thomson, L. (2012). Literature Review: Effective interventions for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Barker, J., Humphries, P., McArthur, M., & Thomson, L. (2012). Reconnect: Working with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Canberra: Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Barry, E., & Barker, J. (2013). Interventions and practice principles for supporting young people who are homeless. Research to Practice Series, Issue 1, March. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Prof Morag McArthur, Lorraine Thomson
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
This project was a national analysis of workforce trends and approaches that affect Australia's statutory child protection workforce. It aimed to identify:
The analysis drew upon the research evidence and current knowledge and strategies used by state and territory child protection services. FaHCSIA contracted the Institute to undertake this work under the 'National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children', of which 'Building Capacity and Expertise' is a National Priority.
For more information about the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children, click here.
McArthur, M., & Thomson, L. (2012). National Analysis of Workforce Trends in Statutory Child Protection. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Prof Gail Winkworth, Michael White
Adjunct Professor Gail Winkworth and colleague Michael White have developed an evidence based tool to guide organisations and networks in an action research process, to improve the way they work together and plan for the future. The Rubric assists different types of networks, including:
Focusing on outcomes for clients, the Rubric was developed over multiple research projects. It connects key types of partnerships with 18 key factors found to underpin successful collaboration.
These factors are described in a developmental way so that services can monitor how their collaboration is progressing over time.
Winkworth, G., & White, M. (2012). A rubric for building effective collaboration. Canberra.
Prof Peter Camilleri (School of Social Work), Prof Morag McArthur, Lorraine Thomson
Australian Research Council Discovery Grant
This project was funded by an ARC Discovery Grant, with the ACT study one of nine parallel studies, one covering each state and territory and the ninth, based on the eight others, focusing on Australia as a whole.
The aim of the study was to address the following research questions:
Camilleri, P., McArthur, M., & Thomson, L. (2011). ARC Discovery Grant Project: Challenges, possibilities and future directions: A national assessment of Australia's Children's Courts. ACT Report. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Thomson, L., McArthur, M., & Camilleri, P. (2017). Is it 'fair'? Representation of children, young people and parents in an adversarial court system. Child and Family Social Work, 22(S2), 23-32.
Camilleri, P., Thomson, L., & McArthur, M. (2013). Needs or deeds? Child protection and youth justice in the Australian Capital Territory. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 35(2), 193-206.
Camilleri, P., Thomson, L., & McArthur, M. (2013). The Children's Court in the Australian Capital Territory. In R. Sheehan & A. Borowski (Eds.), Australia's Children's Courts Today and Tomorrow, 7, 9-26: Springer Netherlands.
Lorraine Thomson, Prof Morag McArthur, Bronwyn Thomson
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
This Project looked at the effects on young people and their parents of the Australian Government's changes to Family Tax Benefit A (FTB A). The changes to FTB A mean that in order for parents to continue to receive FTB A for young people aged 16 - 20, those young people need to be in education or training to achieve Year 12 or equivalent, or have completed Year 12 or equivalent.
The study aimed to assist in building an appreciation of how young people and their parents understand and respond to the condition of participation in education in order to receive FTB A and of the impact that it will have on their lives. It also aimed to: uncover any unintended consequences of the policy changes; consider whether any measures need to be put in to place to mitigate these effects; and identify what young people see as enablers and barriers to education and training.
Thomson, L., McArthur, M., & Thomson, B. (2012). Supporting young people in education: Impact of changes to FTB A on young people and their families. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Prof Morag McArthur, Stella Conroy, Fran Wilson
Australian Research Council, for the Regulatory Institutions Network
This project was a national study that aimed to explore the personal, professional and organisational values of child protection workers and team leaders and the relationship this has to retention and resilience of professionals working in this sector.
McArthur, M., Conroy, S., & Wilson, F. (2011). How Relevant is the Role of Values in Child Protection Practice? A national survey of Statutory Child Protection Staff 2009. Occasional Paper. Canberra: Regulatory Institutions Network, ANU.
Dr Justin Barker, Violet Kolar, Dr Shelley Mallett, Prof Morag McArthur, Vicky Saunders
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
The aim of this mixed method study was to explore the experiences of homeless fathers, with or without an active parenting role.
This research project was commissioned by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. It identifies the social, emotional and material consequences of the homeless experience for fathers, and their relationship with their children; and examines how their identity and role as fathers impacts on their lives in general and their experience of homelessness.
The report also examines how homelessness services currently support single fathers, and identifies policy and service delivery changes that could result in improved outcomes for this largely invisible population.
This research was done in partnership with Hanover Welfare Services and Melbourne City Mission, and addresses the National Homelessness Research Agenda 2009-2013 priority 'to inform and improve the service system and practice, including evaluation'. It fills a gap in our understanding by providing both qualitative and quantitative evidence about how best to support fathers who are homeless particularly around their parenting.
Barker, J., Kolar, V., Mallett, S., McArthur, M., Saunders, V. (2011). More Than Just Me: Supporting Fathers who are Homeless. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Barker, J., & Morrison, T. (2014). Supporting fathers who are homeless. Research to Practice Series, Issue 5, March. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Institute of Child Protection Studies; Hanover Welfare Services. (2012, 3 September). More than just me: Supporting fathers who are homeless [Media Release]. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Prof Morag McArthur, Lorraine Thomson, Merrilyn Woodward, Dr Justin Barker, Megan Layton, Dr Gail Winkworth
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and the Attorney-General's Department
The evaluation of the Supporting Children after Separation Program (SCASP) and Post-Separation Cooperative Parenting service (PSCP) aimed to establish the appropriateness and effectiveness of service models and the extent to which they achieve their intended objectives. It also assessed the extent to which the programs gave priority to at-risk, vulnerable and disadvantaged families and how they generally increased family access to services through more collaborative service arrangements.
The evaluation incorporated existing data and reviews but moved beyond the reliance on adult focused data (ie: service providers and parents) to hear directly from young people themselves. It also used evidence based models of collaboration to analyse how the programs were working within relevant broader service delivery systems.
McArthur, M., Thomson, L., Woodward, M., Barker, J., Layton, M., & Winkworth, G. (2011). Evaluation of the Supporting Children After Separation Program and the Post Separation Cooperative Parenting Program. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Debbie Noble Carr
Australian Children's Commissioners and Guardians
This book, produced by the ACCG, the network of Children's Commissioners and Guardians from each State and Territory in Australia, contains quotes and artwork created by children and young people across Australia. The quotes and artwork were selected from consultation and community engagement activities undertaken by the nine Australian Children's Commissioners and Guardians.
Australian Children's Commissioners and Guardians & Noble-Carr, D. (2011). What Australian kids say about their world. Australian Children's Commissioners and Guardians.
Dr Gail Winkworth, Kate Butler
Australian Government - Protecting Australia's Children Framework
This project was funded by the Australian Government under the Protecting Australia's Children Framework to assist vulnerable families earlier by linking them with services and supports, thereby preventing where possible their involvement, with statutory Child Protection.
Over eight months weekly intake meetings were held at which ACT Housing and ACT Care and Protection Services referred families to specific non-government agencies for support and assistance. ICPS supported the project using an action research approach to assess how the partnership was going and to identify specific issues that required further work
Winkworth, G., & Butler, K. (2009). A report on the progress of 'Protecting Australia's Children' Panel - a project to increase collaboration between ACT Housing, ACT Child Protection Services and ACT Community Service Providers. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Prof Morag McArthur, Vicky Saunders, Dr Tim Moore
ACT Government Carer Recognition Grant, for Carers ACT
Carers ACT commissioned ICPS to assist in completing their research project 'Exploring the needs and supports of young adult carers living in the ACT'. The purpose of this project was to develop an enhanced understanding of the needs of young adults (aged 18-25 years) living in the ACT who are caring for a family member or friend. This understanding will be used to inform the development and improvement of support services in order to mitigate impacts on physical and mental health often caused by the demands of an unsupported caring role.
Saunders, V., & Moore, T. (2010). Exploring the needs and supports of young adult carers living in the ACT. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Kate Butler, Prof Morag McArthur, Dr Gail Winkworth, Bronwyn Thomson, Renee Crowe
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
This qualitative project aimed to explore how becoming a mother affected the lives of young women and their families. As the social context for both young people and motherhood changed, there was a clear need to identify the experiences and needs of young mothers (aged under 25 years at the birth of their first child).
This project also sought to find out about the types of support young mothers received, from both family and friends and from formal services that designed to assist them, and aimed to find out what made it hard for young mothers to use services and how this could be improved.
Butler, K., McArthur, M., Winkworth, G., Thomson, B., & Crowe, R. (2010). Experiences and Aspirations of Younger Mothers. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
McArthur, M., & Barry, E. (2013). Younger Mothers: Stigma and Support. Research to Practice Series, Issue 3, September. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
McArthur, M., & Barry, E. (2012, 17 October). Taking the big stick to single parents is not the answer [Opinion Article]. The Conversation.
McArthur, M. & Winkworth, G. (2013). The hopes and dreams of Australian young mothers in receipt of income support. Communities, Children and Families Australia, 7(1), 47-62.
Urbis Social Policy Team: Prof Morag McArthur, Kate Butler, Claire Grealy, Karen Olver
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria
The Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups Initiative operates across a number of communities in Victoria for vulnerable children and their families. In partnership with Urbis consulting this longitudinal research project assessed whether this model of supported playgroups delivered benefits for families and influenced the uptake of other early childhood services.
McArthur, M., Butler, K., Grealy, C., & Olver, K. (2010). Supported Playgroups and Parent Groups (SPPI) Outcomes Evaluation. Urbis Social Policy Team. Victoria: Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
Kate Butler, Prof Morag McArthur, Michael White, Dr Gail Winkworth
ACT Education and Training Directorate
The provision of education hubs in several communities in the ACT that aim to provide integrated family support services, child care, health and other community based services represents a significant shift in how early childhood services are delivered. This project developed an evaluation model, to contribute to ensuring that common evaluation processes were used across the participating early childhood schools.
Butler, K., White, M., Winkworth, G., & McArthur, M. (2010). Evaluation Framework: ACT Early Childhood Schools Initiative. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Lorraine Thomson, Prof Morag McArthur, Kate Butler, Bronwyn Thomson
ACT Community Services Directorate
The Integrated Family Support Project was established as a pilot project from 2008 to 2010 to develop a model for collaboration between government and non-government agencies and families, with the aim of providing sustained, integrated services to families at risk. The project aimed to engage with families from a strengths perspective early in the life of the child and the life of the problem, before the problems necessitated court intervention.
Thomson, L., McArthur, M., Butler, K., & Thomson, B. (2010). Integrated Family Support Project Outcome Evaluation. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
McArthur, M., & Thomson, L. (2011). Families' views on a coordinated family support service. Family Matters, 89.
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