• books Resources minus-thin plus-thin

    The ACCP's research is often developed into tools and resources that are used in practice and in the development of new policy. A selection of ACCP resources are available below.

    Recent Resources

    Therapeutic Resi Care Model.JPGEvidence Based Review of Therapeutic Residential Care Models

    Paton, A., Bromfield, L., Burgess, S., Perfect, D., Thain, E., Alexander, A., & Winslade, K. (2024).  Evidence Based Review of Therapeutic Residential Care Models. Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia.

    Evidence Based Review of Therapeutic Residential Care Model Review - Executive Summary

     

     

     

     

    Capture1.JPG

    Practice Guide - Understanding Harmful Sexual Behaviours: A Layered Continuum

    We are delighted to share with you our new practice resource to help front line practitioners across child protection, health and education in understanding harmful sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people.

    This updated version of the Layered Continuum, brings together feedback from its use in practice, and recent research conducted by the Australian Centre for Child Protection. Accompanying paper to be released soon.

     

    National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.jpgMinimum Practice Standards

    Paton, A., Parsons, V., Pitts, C., Adamson, K., Bromfield, L., Horch, G., Herbert, J., Hovane, V., O’Leary, P., and Burgess, S. (2023). Minimum Practice Standards: Specialist and Community Support Services Responding to Child Sexual Abuse. Canberra: National Office for Child Safety.

    Boy and bear.JPGSlow Down & Listen 

    Moore, T., Arney, F., Buchanan, F., Chung, D., Chong, A., Fernandes, C., . . . Schulze, D. (2020). Practice Brief - Slow down and listen: Improving children’s and young people’s safety during periods of violence, separation and reunification. Department of Social Services.

     

    Empowerment & Participation Guide

    Moore, T., Bromfield, L., Bagshaw, A., Ey, LA., Antcliff, G, & McLachlan, K (2020) Safe and Strong: Empowering Children in Child Safe Organisations. Melbourne: Victorian Commission for Children and Young People and the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian.

     

    Other Resources

    Presentations/Webinars

    Leah_HDA forum 050923.JPGHeld in conjunction with 2023 National Child Protection Week, ACCP Director Prof Leah Bromfield was invited to Chair the Healthy Development Adelaide forum on 'Starting early for children in need – where we start matters' on Tuesday 5 September.
    > listen to the recorded presentation here (starts @6:15min)

     

     

    Dr Jacynta Krakouer's presentation 'Towards systemic transformation: Shifting thinking on First Nations self-determination on child protection', seeks to shift thinking on what First Nations self-determination can, and should look like in child protection in out of home care by interrogating the application of First Nations self-determination in these contexts.
    > Watch the recorded presentation here (starts at 1:12min in)

     
    AIFS webinar.JPGACCP's Deputy Director Practice, Amanda Paton was a guest speaker at the Australian Institute of Family Studies 'Supporting children to participate in evaluation' webinar held on Wednesday 3 May. 

    > Watch the recorded webinar here

     
     
     
     

    Practice and Literature Reviews

    Understanding Child Abuse and Trauma

    Thain, E., Shihata, S., Paton, A., & Cox, S. (2022) Conceptualising Child Abuse and Neglect Related Complex Trauma in Children and Young People: An Exploratory PIlot Study. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Practice reviews – testing the evidence in practice

    Edgeworth, P., & Paton, A. (2021). Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT): critical review. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Burgess, S., & Paton, A. (2021). Integrative treatment of complex trauma for adolescents (ITCT-A) critical review summary. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Burgess, S., & Paton, A. (2021). Eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR) critical review summary. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Burgess, S. & Paton, A. (2021). Neurofeedback and the treatment of developmental trauma; A clinical review. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Edgeworth, P., & Paton, A. (2021). Assessment-based treatment for traumatised children: a trauma assessment pathway (TAP): critical review. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Literature reviews – synthesing the evidence base

    Cox, S., Thain, E. & Bromfield, L. (2022). Integrative Treatment of Complex Trauma for children and adolescents: A Rapid Evidence Assessment. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Cox, S, Parkinson, S., Herbert, J., Tucker, E., Octoman, O., Bromfield, L., & Thain, E. (2022). Research Summary 'Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for children and young people who have experienced forms of child abuse: A review of the evidence'. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    McDougall, S. (2021). Rapid evidence summary eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing EMDR for children with trauma. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Client Outcome Reviews  

    Herbert, J., Paton, A., Bromfield, L., O'Donnell, M., & Lima, F. (2022). Parkerville therapeutic treatment model: client outcome review.  University of South Australia., Australian Centre for Child Protection. 

    Child Trauma Professional Certificates Evaluation

    Hawkes, M., Paton, A., & Ibrahim, N. (2022). Child Trauma Professional Certificates Evaluation. University of South Australia, Australian Centre for Child Protection.

    Videos

    What is Abuse and Neglect?  - The five main forms of abuse, how to identify these and how they occur.

    What is Trauma? - How trauma from abuse and neglect in children and young people can occur and affect those around them.

    Common Symptoms  -An overview of the common symptoms of childhood trauma.

    Elements of effective Child Trauma Treatments - A summary of the many elements that need to be included in an effective child trauma treatment program.

    Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TFCBT) - TFCBT was originally developed to treat PTSD in children who had experienced sexual abuse, however, research now suggests it may also be effective in treatment in children who have experienced other forms of abuse and neglect. This video outlines the use of TFCBT in addressing different areas of childhood trauma as well as the benefits and potential limitations in treating children with TFCBT.

    Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) - EMDR is a culturally sensitive treatment program that is widely used across Australia, helping children to heal from the fear and difficulties that they may experience after a traumatic event.

    Play Therapy - Play therapy is a medium to long term therapeutic intervention for children that focuses on allowing children to work through their trauma experiences in a safe environment.

  • documents Publications minus-thin plus-thin

    Publications

  • work-meeting-teamwork Projects minus-thin plus-thin

    For in-depth profiles on some of the ACCP's most significant recent projects, visit the Our projects page.

    Recent ACCP Project Highlights

    • Projects minus-thick plus-thick

      Analysis of Young Carer’s Self Reports of Educational Engagement

      Children and young people who live in families affected by mental health issues, alcohol or other drug problems, or who have family members with disabilities and other chronic conditions, may face a range of barriers to supports and services, and often experience physical, emotional, social and safety issues during childhood and into adulthood. The ACCP has sought to understand the experiences of young people who have experienced challenges within their childhoods and to inform service systems (including child protection, family welfare and community services) to ensure that their needs are met.

      Funder: Carers Australia

      ACCP Personnel: Tim Moore

      Beyond Safety, Ethical Practice Involving Children

      This project is investigating the role of ethical practice in improving child safety, aiming to generate new knowledge that will help protect children and support institutions to create safer environments. The anticipated outcomes include better-targeted, child informed policy and practice for organisations involved with children.

      Funder: Australian Research Council

      ACCP Personnel: Tim Moore, in collaboration with Southern Cross, Charles Sturt and Universities of Otago and Central Lancashire

      Infants entering care: Developmental needs and care trajectories

      With infants comprising an increased proportion of children in out of home care, this project aims to increase knowledge around the trajectories of infants entering the care system, including their developmental needs and whether the services offered meet these needs. It aims to identify how better intervention, responsive services and stable placements may improve long term outcomes for infants in out of home care.

      Funder: NSW Government

      ACCP Personnel: Melissa O’Donnell, Fernando Lima and Miriam Maclean in collaboration with University of Technology, Sydney

      Investigation of care experiences and support associated with positive educational outcomes

      It has been consistently found that children who have experienced out of home care and involvement with child protection services have poor educational outcomes. This study has undertaken data analysis to determine which in care factors and supports are associated with more positive educational trajectories. This will help to build the evidence of in care factors and supports which can potentially strengthen outcomes and trajectories for children in care.

      Funder: NSW Government

      ACCP Personnel: Miriam Maclean, Melissa O’Donnell, Fernando Lima

      Permanency Support Program (PSP) Data and Outcomes Review

      Through analysis and sector consultation, this project is aiming to improve the data and systems relating to the monitoring of the PSP program. The project will aim to drive operational improvement and help with monitoring the intended outcomes around the achievement of permanency for children and young people coming into the child protection or out of home care system.

      Funder: Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies, Department of Communities and Justice NSW Government, NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation

      ACCP Personnel: James Herbert, Olivia Octoman and Leah Bromfield

      Removal of infants by the child protection system: examining their nature, extent and impact

      Removing a new baby from their parents is the highest level of intervention of the child protection system, however little is known about its incidence and impacts, nor whether there are particular groups who would respond to targeted interventions and support. This study aims to increase our knowledge about the nature, extent and impact of removals, repeat removals and entries of new babies into the care system, and to identify appropriate early intervention and prevention strategies.

      Funder: Australian Research Council

      ACCP Personnel: Melissa O’Donnell in collaboration with the Australian Catholic University, Murdoch University, Lancaster University and the University of Chicago

      Resource and Guidance Materials to Achieve Participation and Empowerment of Children and Young People

      This project drew from research and focus groups with children and staff to develop resources and guidance materials for organisations working with children and young people for the participation and empowerment of children and young people. Link to web version guide.

      Funder: Victorian Commission for Children and Young People and the New South Wales Office of the Children’s Guardian

      ACCP Personnel: Tim Moore, Leah Bromfield, Lesley-Anne Ey, Greg Antcliff, Katherine McLachlan and Ashleigh Bagshaw

      Young South Australian’s expectations regarding relationships, pregnancy and parenthood

      This project sought to understand the experiences, expectations, intentions and aspirations of young people with histories of trauma, regarding relationships, pregnancy and parenthood. The outcomes will help to inform policies and service development for targeted support at the earliest possible opportunity to interrupt intergenerational cycles of child abuse and neglect.

      Funder: South Australian Government – Department of Human Services

      ACCP Personnel: Stewart McDougall , Tim Moore, and Fiona Arney

    ACCP Project Highlights

    • Children minus-thick plus-thick

      Systematic review of chronic maltreatment and cumulative harm research

      This systematic literature review explores what literature exists about chronic maltreatment and assesses how maltreatment chronicity is conceptualised in current literature. This project involved systematically searching databases to detect literature that had the potential to identify examples of repeat involvement with child protection.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      Chronic maltreatment and cumulative harm in South Australian Child Protection Services

      This study is intended to be the first in a program of research investigating chronic maltreatment and cumulative harm in families repeatedly involved with Families SA. It is expected to increase understanding and awareness of chronic maltreatment and the risk of cumulative harm in South Australia.

      Utilising child protection administrative data this study will estimate the size and scope of children who experience chronic maltreatment in South Australia and to identify characteristics that differentiate families with chronic and isolated involvement with child protection services.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      Trends in reports of child maltreatment in the Northern Territory: 1999 to 2010

      Partners: Steven Guthridge, John Lynch

      This project used child protection data to examine the trends for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in the Northern Territory over a 10-year period. Prof Bromfield's role as child protection expert on the team was to assist in interpreting the results in light of the NT policy and practice context.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      Engaging children and young people in child protection research

      Funder: Western Australian Department for Child Protection and Family Support

      As part of the Signs of Safety Program of Research, this study examined strategies and approaches in obtaining the views of children and young people involved in the child protection process (using specifically developed tools and strategies).

      This research explored the views and perspectives of children about their experience of child protection practice in Western Australia, which is five years into the adoption and implementation of the Signs of Safety practice approach.

      This project was a 2013 psychology honours project undertaken by Samantha Finan under the supervision of Dr Mary Salveron and Prof Leah Bromfield.

      Key Personnel: Mary Salveron, Leah Bromfield

      Recruiting young adults to child maltreatment research through Facebook: A feasibility study

      Honours project: Funding through the Australian Centre for Child Protection

      This study investigated the feasibility of using online social media to recruit young adults as participants in child maltreatment research.

      Over three weeks in 2011, an advertisement was distributed to Facebook users 18-25 years old living in South Australia. It linked to an external website with participant information and an online survey. Helpline and support service details were provided prior to participation and throughout the questionnaire.

      A final self-selected sample of 101 young adults (19 male; 81 female; 1 unknown) between 18 and 25 years living in South Australia with Facebook accounts, participated in the online retrospective self-report survey about positive and negative childhood experiences. A total of 64 responded to an advertisement and 33 to a 'wall' post (four indicated 'other'). Seventy-four per cent had experienced some form of maltreatment (as defined by measure), the most prevalent being physical abuse. Only 15% perceived that they had been maltreated. Forty-six per cent experienced more than one type.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      A report on the needs of children in residential care

      Funder: The Department for Education and Child Development

      The Australian Centre for Child Protection was commissioned in 2012 to undertake a study and report describing the therapeutic needs of children in statutory residential care as reported by their care workers.

      This project involved semi-structured interviews of residential care workers on the educational, psycho-social and health needs of the children in their care. The project also involved a literature review to identify the potential assessment tools which may be appropriate for monitoring client and service outcomes in the statutory residential care sector.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      The contribution of child maltreatment to social anxiety disorder: A review of the published literature from 2002-2013

      This project was a systematic review of peer-reviewed papers published between 2002-2013, to explore how childhood maltreatment contributes to the onset of social anxiety disorder.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Interventions for young children displaying problematic sexual behaviour

      This project involved a systematic review of the literature on non-custodial, therapeutic interventions for young children displaying problematic sexual behaviour.

      The findings of this study provide policy and practice implications for better supporting young children in a range of out-of-home care placements.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Interventions for young children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and exposure to other substances

      Partner: Karen Hislop

      This project involved a systematic review of the literature on therapeutic interventions for young children affected by maternal prenatal substance exposure, with a focus on early intervention.

      The findings of this study provide policy and practice implications for better supporting very young children with challenging behaviour caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol and other substances, living in substitute care settings.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Neuropsychological deficits of children exposed to childhood abuse and neglect

      Funder: UniSA Divisional Research Performance Fund

      In this project, a systematic review of the literature on the impact child abuse and neglect has on neuropsychological functions was conducted, with a focus on the neuropsychological foundation of a range of behavioural issues, including memory and executive functioning.

      The review highlighted the possible 'brain-based' nature of many of the challenging and disruptive behaviours exhibited by children who have experienced abuse and neglect and who are subsequently removed into alternative care settings.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      The influence of alternative education for marginalised students in the middle years of school

      Funder: The Australian Centre for Child Protection

      PhD project (School of Education): Student experiences and perceptions of school inclusion and the impact of alternative educational settings on the development of positive outcomes for at-risk young people. Marnie was awarded her PhD in 2013.

      Key Personnel: Marnie Best

      Is playfulness a key to resilience in vulnerable children?

      Funder: The Australian Centre for Child Protection

      PhD project (School of Health Sciences): This research project investigated the association between children's playfulness at age 4, parental mind mindedness, parental playfulness, parenting style and attachment behaviours. Her work was nominated as one of three finalists for the Best Clinical Paper Award for Paediatrics at the Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference on the Gold Coast in June 2011.  Shelley was awarded her PhD in March 2016.

      Key Personnel: Shelley Wright

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      Refugee Communities - Intercultural dialogue: Building relationships, building communities

      Funder: The Department of Social Services

      Partner: The Institute of Child Protection Studies

      This study, in partnership with the Institute of Child Protection Studies, aims to fill an important gap concerning how refugee parents and children develop social connections and use these connections to assist them in developing positive healthy family relationships. It is the first national research project of its kind to provide evidence of how refugee children view the importance of social connections and how these contribute to keeping them safe.

      This research aims to provide in-depth and contextualised data about how services may better support refugee parents to care for their children, in an attempt to reduce the numbers of children of refugee parents entering the statutory care and protection system.

      In collaboration with the refugee community, the research will also identify new ways of working to achieve better outcomes for parents and their children and communities.

      Fathering, family and domestic violence and intervention challenges

      Funder: $1.2 million ARC Linkage project

      Partners: University of Melbourne & the University of Western Australia

      Working in partnership with two other universities and nearly 20 partner organisations including three state governments, this project will research how men who have used violence in their families are parenting.

      It is expected that research outcomes will help in the development of standards for interventions by practitioners who work with men in situations of family violence.

      For more information, please visit the project's website.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      The effectiveness of high risk birth alerts in NSW in improving outcomes for highly vulnerable infants and their mothers

      Pregnant women and their unborn children living in circumstances where there are significant health risk factors such as domestic violence, substance abuse, unmanaged mental health issues and lack of participation in antenatal care are a population of significant public health concern.

      Each state and territory in Australia allows for prenatal harm information to be shared between Health services and the relevant statutory child protection agency. In New South Wales (NSW) these prenatal alerts are called High Risk Birth Alerts and the agency providing the foremost care to the pregnant mother and unborn child is NSW Health. This study will use a mixed-methodology to explore the experiences of this high risk cohort and the degree to which High Risk Birth Alerts contribute to positive birth outcomes and family preservation.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      South Australian foster carer experiences of children's initial transition into their care: Recommendations for policy and practice

      The aim of this research is to explore how home based, foster and relative kin carers experienced the arrival, and early stages of caring for a child who has been removed from their biological family home for child protection reasons. In order to prioritise the voice and experience of the carer this research uses the qualitative, interpretive and critical research design of hermeneutic phenomenology.

      Key Personnel: Laura Varley, Leah Bromfield

      The recovery of mothers and their children following trauma

      Partners: Peter Mertin & Danielle Zerk, Eastern Domestic Violence Service and Northern Domestic Violence Service

      This study examines the important factors in the recovery of mothers and their children over time after leaving situations of domestic violence. Mothers and their children will be interviewed at two points, approximately 12-months apart, to investigate whether a child's recovery following trauma is dependent upon the mother's recovery. Further factors influencing recovery such as the mother's perceptions of safety and history of childhood maltreatment shall also be explored.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Challenging behaviour and support for foster carers

      Honours project: Funding though the Australian Centre for Child Protection

      A systematic literature review on foster carer support and an online survey, to investigate what behaviours foster carers think are a problem and what supports foster carers want, to assist them to manage behaviour of children in their care. These findings are expected to lead to more nuanced training and support for foster carers. This project has resulted in two publications thus far.

      This project was conducted as a psychology honours project in 2012 by Olivia Octoman under the supervision of Dr Sara McLean

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Foster carer support: What supports do foster carers want?

      This study aims to investigate what supports foster carers think would be helpful in assisting them to manage the behaviour of children in their care.

      Foster carers will be asked to respond to an online survey designed to measure how supported they feel regarding the management of challenging child behaviour. They will be asked what supports would be the most helpful to assist them in managing child behaviour, including how these supports should be delivered and the best type of person to deliver support. It is expected that the findings will be used to enhance current foster carer supports and introduce new support that is responsive to foster carer needs.

      The support survey items were informed by literature and the results of a previous study by Octoman & McLean

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Evaluation of 'My Kids and Me'

      Funder: CatholicCare Sydney

      Delivered by CatholicCare in Sydney and Wollongong, 'My Kids and Me' is a seven-week course specifically tailored for parents whose children have been removed from their care. The aim of the course is to improve parents' relationships with their children, their children's carers and relevant workers including those from NSW Community Services.

      The evaluation utilised mixed methods including: administrative and clinical data, focus groups with facilitators, repeated-measures surveys and telephone interviews with course participants.

      Key Personnel: Christine Gibson

      Establishing boundaries & building bridges: South Australian research into the ecology of the refugee parenting experience in pre-resettlement contexts

      Funder: The Australian Centre for Child Protection

      PhD project (School of Psychology): Nombasa’s research drew upon insights from African, Sudanese, and Afghani and Iraqi parenting groups and expands upon Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory to conceptualise the ecology of the pre-resettlement refugee parenting experience. Her findings identified the need for a more coordinated approach to child protection in refugee camps and pre-resettlement contexts. Sections of her dissertation manuscript have been published in refereed journals. Nombasa was awarded her PhD in 2010

      Key Personnel: Nombasa Williams

      A journey to a new parent identity: Recovering from identity trauma and negotiating practice in child protection settings

      Funder: The Australian Centre for Child Protection

      PhD project (School of Psychology): This project explored the psychological impacts of child removal, and subsequent case work, with parents on the ability or desire of parents to maintain relationships and make lifestyle and parenting changes necessary for them to maintain a role in the lives of their children. The project included a grounded theory analysis of 58 interviews with parents, carers and workers about the psychological factors which inhibit or promote the maintenance of relationships between birth parents and children after their removal and placement in out-of-home care. Mary was awarded her PhD in 2012.

      Key Personnel: Mary Salveron

    • Practitioners minus-thick plus-thick

      Developing a national interdisciplinary educational framework for professionals working with children in the early years

      ACCP collaborated in a national research project to develop a national interdisciplinary educational framework for professionals working with children in the early years.  The project, led by Flinders University, was funded by the Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.

      The framework was developed to inform curriculum for the education of professionals across diverse disciplines who work with children from birth to five years of age (the early years) and their families through:

      • A statement of shared outcomes that recognises various disciplinary foci.
      • An interdisciplinary map of evidence informed theories and national regulatory requirements.
      • A statement of universal essential elements (knowledge, skills and attributes).

      Learn more at http://www.flinders.edu.au/mnhs/early-years/early-years_home.cfm

      Development and psychometric testing on a measure of child protection workers' attitudes about the placement of children in out-of-home care

      Honours project: Funding through the Australian Centre for Child Protection

      This study aimed to develop a psychometrically sound measure of the attitudes of child protection workers about their placement decisions for children in out-of-home care.

      This research included an extensive piloting process, with the administration of a research tool to practitioners in the out-of-home care sector across Australia.

      This project is a 2013 psychology honours project undertaken by Jenna Meiksans under the supervision of Professor Fiona Arney and Marie Iannos.

      Key Personnel: Fiona Arney

      Signs of Safety Program of Research

      Funder: The Western Australian Department for Child Protection and Family Support

      As part of the 3 year program of research between 2013 and 2016, six research projects were undertaken to examine the implementation and impact of the Signs of Safety child protection practice framework on outcomes for children, parents and the child protection workforce.

      Utilising a mixed method research design, the program of research included the following projects:

      • Results Logic/Theory of Change Study – This project aimed to document the theory of change for Signs of Safety and describe in concrete and measurable terms what it was hoped the approach looked like in practice; and the desired outcomes of the approach for different stakeholder groups (children, parents, practitioners and other important people).
      • Implementation Case Study – Published in Children and Youth Services Review, this project documented the Department’s implementation journey as part of the State’s child protection system reform drawing on Roger’s diffusion of innovation theory and Fixsen’s implementation stages and drivers model.
      • Children's Study – This qualitative exploratory study aimed to pilot a methodology and determine the feasibility of undertaking research examining experiences of children about their child protection worker during the assessment or investigation phase of the child protection process.
      • Administrative Data Study – Utilising a longitudinal historical control design, this study examined Departmental administrative data to compare outcomes for children pre and post Signs of Safety implementation. Some of the outcome indicators included number of children in care, re-substantiations and assessments proceeding to family support.
      • Practitioner Study – This study investigated the relationships between skill and confidence in Signs of Safety child protection practice and practitioner wellbeing as measured by role clarity, autonomy, hope, perceptions of departmental support, work engagement, emotional well-being, professional practice and job satisfaction.
      • Parent Study – This project is a multi- wave study investigating parents’ ratings of their worker’s Signs of Safety practice with measures of client-worker engagement, social support, parental identity, satisfaction with service and perception of children's safety and followed parents up over two time points.
      • A Triangulation Manuscript which combines findings from the six research projects also provided an overall finding of the program of research and the implementation and impact of the Signs of Safety child protection practice framework. Explanatory mechanisms, limitations and recommendations were included.

      Key Personnel: Mary Salveron, Leah Bromfield, Fiona Arney

      Modelling the retention of early career child protection workers

      PhD project: Funding through the Australian Centre for Child Protection

      This project is a PhD project undertaken by Kerry Lewig under the supervision of A/Prof Leah Bromfield. The purpose of the proposed research is to explore through quantitative and qualitative research methods the role that personal resilience plays in the retention of early career child protection case workers during the first 12 months of their employment.

      The study draws on both resilience theory and the job demands and resources model and will validate a suite of psychometric measures to investigate practitioner resilience and wellbeing and model their impact on worker retention.

      Key Personnel: Kerry Lewig, Leah Bromfield

      The role of personal resources in psychology and social work students' wellbeing and study engagement

      Honours project: funding through the Australian Centre for Child Protection

      This project comprised two stages: A systematic literature review of hope, optimism, resilience and self-efficacy as protective factors in students generally; and research undertaken through an internet survey to examine how personal resources can act as buffers between the demands of tertiary education and negative outcomes such as psychological distress and lower study engagement amongst psychology and social work students.

      Key findings indicate personal resources enable students to maintain a higher engagement and better psychological wellbeing when faced with high study demands.

      This project was a 2012 psychology honours project undertaken by Stewart McDougall under the supervision of Kerry Lewig.

      Key Personnel: Kerry Lewig

      Protecting and Nurturing Children: Building Capacity, Building Bridges Project Evaluation

      Funder: The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

      This was the evaluation stage of a three-year initiative, that was conducted in 12 different areas across Australia, that aimed to enhance the ways of working with children and families in adult-focused services; strengthen inter-agency collaboration to provide more holistic responses to families with multiple and complex needs; and develop best-practice methods for supporting organisations and practitioners to implement change.

      Contact: Christine Gibson, Community Research Liason Coordinator; Helen Francis, Project Manager

      Mental health knowledge and behaviours amongst statutory residential care workers

      Honours project, funding through Australian Centre for Child Protection

      This study is the first in a program of research designed to document the knowledge and attitudes of statutory residential care workers towards the mental health and behaviour of children and young people in residential care facilities.

      The study used an online survey to capture a national sample of residential care workers in government and non-government facilities.

      This project is a 2013 psychology honours project undertaken by Tahlia Winsor under the supervision of Dr Sara McLean.

      Key Personnel: Sara McLean

      Exploring the parent-family worker relationship in rural family support services

      Funder: The Australian Centre for Child Protection

      PhD project (School of Social Work and Social Policy): Dr Reimer’s thesis provided an in-depth look at relationships between parents, families and workers in rural practice with families referred for neglect. Her research highlighted effective routes to establishing productive change in relationships with high-risk parents in difficult circumstances. Her research also provided new insights into how workers balance the tension of personal and professional styles of relating, and how this is mediated and monitored through supervision. Sections of her dissertation manuscript were published in refereed journals. Liz was awarded her PhD in 2010

      Key Personnel: Elizabeth Reimer

    • Systems minus-thick plus-thick

      Prevalence and incidence of sexual abuse in institutions

      Funder: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

      Partners: Social Policy Research Centre, Australian Institute of Criminology

      This is an investigation into the prevalence and incidence of sexual abuse in Australian institutions.

      The study aims to establish the data holdings that currently exist on the sexual abuse of children in institutional contexts in Australia and the accessibility of any such data. It will use available data to estimate the prevalence and incidence of child sexual abuse in Australian institutional contexts.

      Data from administrative and client records systems from a range of sources are likely to include the police, health and education departments, child protection, and working with children check administering bodies in each state and territory.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      Good Practice in Child Protection: A 5-country international study and recommendations for reforming the Swiss child protection system

      Funder: Association PPP-Programme Naitonal pur la Protection de l'Enfant

      Partners: researchers representing Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Switzerland

      Associate Professor Leah Bromfield was one of a six-member consortia of researchers representing Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, who won an international tender to investigate 'Child Protection Systems: An international comparison of good practice'. The project is funded by the Association PPP-Programme National pour la Protection de l'Enfant on behalf of the Swiss government, and is expected to result in a report and recommendations to the Swiss government in addition to academic papers and book chapters.

      Key Personnel: Leah Bromfield

      Evaluation of the South Australia homelessness reforms as they pertain to services for children

      Funder: The South Australian Department of Communities and Social Inclusion

      This is a three-year evaluation of a statewide reform agenda to determine the extent to which the South Australian statewide homelessness reforms increased the effectiveness in which homelessness services responded to the needs of children.

      The evaluation of reforms utilised mixed-methods including: administrative data, practitioner and manager surveys, client surveys, documentary analysis, case studies and focus groups with key stakeholder groups.

      Key Personnel: Christine Gibson

      Evaluation of the SA Information Sharing Guidelines (ISG)

      An evaluation of the Information Sharing Guidelines (ISG) was carried out for the South Australian Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People. Participants from two government departments and two non-government agencies responded to a survey questionnaire before and after receiving in-house training about the ISG.

      Significant gaps in knowledge and application, training and induction, and behaviour and attitude change were noted.

      Key Personnel: Christine Gibson

    • Aboriginal Service Providers minus-thick plus-thick

      Growing Our Spirit: Improving the evidence base for community developed assessments of kinship carers of Aboriginal children

      Funder: The Sidney-Myer Fund

      Partners: Winangay Resources Inc, and the Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University

      This is a national three-year project, coordinated by the Australian Centre for Child Protection, to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the culturally derived Winangay Kinship Carers Assessment Tool.

      The Tool adopts a strengths-based approach designed to engage with carers and potential carers in ways that encourage collaboration and that build solid foundations from which to develop a positive intervention plan. Designed to meet the needs of both statutory and non-statutory carers, the Tool includes an Action Plan for workers to jointly address the family's unmet needs and any concerns as well as identifying required services and support.

      The research, across multiple sites in Australia, utilises a mixed-methods longitudinal design. As part of the evaluation 70 practitioners will be trained in the use of the Winangay Tool.

      Key Personnel: Professor Fiona Arney, Director

      Evaluation of three-intergenerational trauma healing initiatives

      Funder: The Healing Foundation

      Partners: Institute for Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University

      This is a national evaluation of three healing initiatives in Acacia Ridge, Queensland; Darwin, Northern Territory and Kununurra, Western Australia that address intergenerational trauma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

      The aim of the initiatives is to facilitate healing and reconnect children to culture in order to alleviate trauma in current and future generations. Evaluations of the effectiveness and acceptability of the initiatives is being undertaken within each community and will utilise an action research methodology. The evaluation utilises a participatory action research methodology with these new initiatives.

      Key Personnel: Professor Fiona Arney, Director

      Aboriginal workers' views about the needs of Aboriginal children and families who are in contact with statutory child welfare services

      Honours project: funding through the Australian Centre for Child Protection

      This project has been developed in consultation with the Senior Aboriginal Leadership Committee within South Australian child protection services.

      The project will involve individual interviews and focus group discussions from Aboriginal statutory care workers, enabling them to give their views about the rising number of Aboriginal children entering care and about how the statutory system should respond to the needs of Aboriginal children and their families.

      This project is a 2013 social work honours project undertaken by Jean Bacon under the supervision of Dr Sara McLean.

      Jean Bacon was awarded the 2013 Ian Cox Scholarship for Social Work Student Research for this project.

      Key Personnel: Dr Sara McLean, Research Fellow

      Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara (APY) Lands Interagency Collaboration Evaluation Framework

      Funder: SA Department of Premier and Cabinet

      The Centre was funded to scope a process and outcomes evaluation framework for the Government's response to the Mullighan Inquiry into child sexual abuse on the APY Lands.

      The Evaluation Framework together with a review of intersectoral/multidisciplinary collaboration in general, with respect to responses to child sexual abuse notifications more specifically, and on collaborative ways of working in remote Aboriginal communities was completed in September 2010.

      Contact: Prof Fiona Arney, Director

      Evaluation of the Family Home Visiting Program with Families of Aboriginal children

      Partners: Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia; South Australian Children, Youth and Women's Health Service; Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

      The Family Home Visiting project was a collaborative research project that was created to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of families of Aboriginal children participating in the Family Home Visiting Program delivered by the South Australian Children, Youth and Women's Health Service.

      The report titled "A Pilot Exploration of a Family Home Visiting Program for families of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children" was released in 2010. Read the report.

      Contact: Prof Fiona Arney, Director

      Aboriginal Families Study

      Funder: Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia, University of Adelaide, National Health and Medical Research Council Project Grant; Rio Tinto

      The Aboriginal Families Study is a research study led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in collaboration with the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Inc. based on state-wide consultations with Aboriginal communities and policy makers in South Australia.

      The study aims to collect population level data documenting:

      • women's experiences of services during pregnancy, childbirth and the first few months after birth; and
      • the social health of Aboriginal women and families during and after pregnancy.

      Professor Fiona Arney is an investigator on this project. The study findings will be used to inform the development of pregnancy and postnatal services for Aboriginal women and families in South Australia.

      Contact: Prof Fiona Arney, Director

  • presentation-public-speaking Presentations minus-thin plus-thin

    Presentations

    • 2024 Presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      International Conference Presentations

      29 January:  CELCIS Centre for Excellence for Child's Care and Prevention, Glasgow, Scotland. Online Presentation 'Children Services Reform Research'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      1 March: Kids Count: the 3rd National Child Welfare Data Exchange Meeting, Montreal, Canada. Online Presentation 'Using evidence and data to inform policy: Trials and tribulations'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      13-15 May: Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore Expert in Residency Workshop and Masterclasses for Professional Development in Child Abuse and Trauma and Harmful Sexual Behaviours. Amanda Paton

      26 Sept: ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Online Protection (Bali, Indonesia) | Key Note Address: "Contextualising adolescent sexual offending within a ‘Harmful Sexual Behaviour’".  Amanda Paton

      National Conference Presentations

      5 June: Roundtable for Child Sexual Abuse Therapeutic Services and Indigenous Healing Services Presentation Minimum Practice Standards. Amanda Paton

      5-6 June: Association of Children's Welfare Agencies. Keynote and Presenter. Reimagining Our Work with Children, Families and Communities. Prof Leah Bromfield

      5-6 June: Chair. Reportable Conduct and Child Safe Commissioners Panel. Association of Childrens Welfare Agencies Conference,. Prof Leah Bromfield

      12 June: AIFS Conference, Melbourne. Presentation 'Acting on the priorities of young people with disability about violence at home'. Prof Melissa O’Donnell with Sally Robinson as lead presenter

      12 June: AIFS Conference, Melbourne. Poster Presentation 'Co-designing perinatal support with services and mothers experiencing adversity'.Prof Melissa O’Donnell

      12 June: Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) Conference, Melbourne. Presentation 'Outcomes in childhood, adolescence and adulthood for children entering alternate care'. Dr Miriam Maclean

      13 June: AIFS Conference, Melbourne. Presentation “Enhancing Practice Responses to Harmful Sexual Behaviours for Children and Families'. Sian Burgess

      1 November: Child Sexual Abuse and Harmful Sexual Behaviours National Conference. Kids First Australia. 'Australian police responses to children displaying harmful sexual behaviours (HSB)'. Rachel Lever

      Other Presentations

      22 March:  Anglicare Victoria. Presentation 'Lunch with Prof Leah Bromfield'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      8-9 May: Courageous Conversations - Laurel House and Sexual Assault Support Service. Presentation & Panel guest 'Towards Collective Action'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      14 May: Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Presentation 'Trauma-Informed interviewing'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      24 May: Leaders Institute 'Social Justice System | Child Protection'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      28 May: MacKillop Board. Presentation 'Challenges in child protection and the need for a transformation agenda: a national perspective'. Prof Leah Bromfield

      15 July: Murdoch University | Ngangk Yira. Presentation 'Child protection pathways of Aboriginal children and mother's health and wellbeing'. Prof Melissa O'Donnell

      21 August: Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse through the Life Course First Findings from the literature. Webinar. Prof Leah Bromfield and Amanda Paton

      11-13 Sept. Australasian Research Management Society Conference. "Partnering for success: a leading model for bringing industry and research together". Lisa McDonald

      24 October: Australian Centre for Child Protection's 20th Birthday Symposium. Online Symposium. ACCP Staff

      31 October: Family and Community Services Insights, Analysis and Research (FACSIAR) Lunch and Learn webinar:  Navigating Leaving Care and After Care. Webinar. Prof Melissa O'Donnell

      6 November: Queensland Child and Family Research. 'Translating reserach into practice to better understand and respond to harmful sexual behavious displayed by children and young people'. Webinar. Prof Leah Bromfield and Amanda Paton

      20 November: South Australian Child Protection and Family Support Symposium hosted by the SA Department for Child Protection. Prof Leah Bromfield (MC) and 'Perinatal support for women known to child protection' presentation by Prof Melissa O'Donnell.

      22 November: SA Department for Child Protection and ACCP's Cumultative Harm Forum. 'Cumultative harm in different contexts: The imporrance of purpose in defining cumulative harm'. Presentation Prof Leah Bromfield

    • 2023 Presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      International Conference Presentations

      Bromfield,. L. 'More than the toxic trio: Understanding the contemporary characteristics of families with multiple and complex needs and implications for practice' - Poster presentation. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Bromfield,. L. 'De-stigmatising sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people; building the child protection system to better understand and respond' - Workshop-Practice presentation. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Bromfield,. L. 'Developing a state-wide framework to enhance interagency collaborative responses to children displaying harmful sexual behaviours' - Oral-Research presentation. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Bromfield,. L. 'Reform or transform: Is our approach to child protection fit for purpose?' - Research presentation. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Burgess, B., & Russell E. “Utilizing communities of practice to enhance child protection workforce capacity”. The 38th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment in San Diego, California. January 2023

      Edgeworth, P., & Le Mesurier, J. “Using micro-credentials to build workforce capacity across child protection systems”. The 38th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment in San Diego, California. January 2023

      Hawkes , M., Evans, J., Vincent, S., Ogle, J., & Reed, B. ‘Child-Centred and Rights-Based Recordkeeping Practices in Child Protection’. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Hawkes , M., Evans, J., Vincent, S., Ogle, J., & Reed, B. ‘Child-Centred and Rights-Based Recordkeeping Practices in Child Protection’. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      Krakouer, J., & Cleaver, K. "'The continuity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Māori child removals in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand: a problem rooted in assimilatory logics', In person presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference. Brighton, England. September 2023

      Krakouer, J., & Cleaver, K. "Promoting equity in child protection systems: addressing racialized disparities in decision-making’ (Symposium, Emily Keddell leading) – ‘The impact of cultural assumptions and normative parenting on decision-making: Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives'. In person presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference. Brighton, England. September 2023

      Krakouer, J. "Parent/infant separation in the first year of life: responses to growing concerns’ (Symposium) – ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infant removals: Generating solutions by co-designing a ‘Wise Counsel’ model of care’. In person presentation.  EuSARF 2023 Conference. Brighton, England. September 2023

      Krakouer, J., &  Mendes, P. "The introduction of extended out-of-home care (OOHC) till 21 years in Australia: A mapping of policy, legislation and programs in each jurisdiction". In person presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference. Brighton, England. September 2023

      Maclean, M., 'Estimating the ‘effects’ of OOHC in young children and adults: What can we learn from two studies?' Online presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      Octoman, O. 'Narrative and fixed-field data: Are we underestimating the risk of family and domestic violence?' Abstract accepted. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Octoman, O. 'The prior health and wellbeing of mothers of Aboriginal children who enter out-of-home care to inform targeted support and prevention' Abstract accepted. IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Mendes, P. 'The introduction of extended out-of-home care (OOHC) till 21 years in Australia: A mapping of policy, legislation and programs in each jurisdiction". Online presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Ward, H., & Mason, C. 'Invited symposium: Parent/infant separation in the first year of life: responses to growing concerns'. In person presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Taplin, S. "Parent/infant separation in the first year of life: responses to growing concerns - Improving perinatal processes and support for families to reduce the risk of infant removals: an Australian perspective'. Symposium - in person presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Taplin, S., Maclean, M., & Marriott, R. 'Prenatal and Infant reporting to child protection: An Australian study of pathways through child protection and the emotional and developmental outcomes of infants in care" Online presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Taplin, S. 'Who gets reported to child protection during pregnancy and what happens to them?'. In person presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Parsons, L. "Homelessness among sub-groups of young people transitioning from out of home care". EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M., & Parsons, L. 'What does linked data tell us about care leavers in Western Australia, and where to next for research, practice and policy?' Online presentation. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      O'Donnell, M. "Impact of Child Welfare Services’ policies on young people’s transition from out-of-home care in Norway and Australia" Poster only. EuSARF 2023 Conference, Brighton, England. September 2023

      Paton, A. & Bromfield,. L. 'Developing and implementing Micro-credentials to support the health and children’s services workforces to respond to abuse and neglect-related child trauma' (Oral presentation). IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Paton, A. 'Developing Australia’s first Minimum Practice Standards for Services Responding to Child Sexual Abuse' (Oral presentation) IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Paton, A. & Bromfield,. L. 'De-stigmatising sexual behaviours displayed by children and young people; building the child protection system to better understand and respond' (Workshop) IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      Paton, A. & Herbert, J. 'Effect of Multi-Disciplinary Team Deliberation on Perceptions of Risk in Responses to Child Abuse & Neglect' (Oral presentation) IPSCAN 2023 Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2023

      National Conference Presentations

      Cleland, A. ‘Imagining justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: sovereignty and child protection’ for in person presentation. 10th SNAICC National Conference. Darwin. September 2023

      Hawkes, M. , Evans, J., & Reed, M. ‘Meeting the challenges of child-centred recordkeeping: Innovations in systems, practice and collaboration’. Presentation. Australian Society of Archivists’ National Conference September 2023

      Krakouer, J., & Chamberlain, C. ‘SAFeST Start – Co-Designing a ‘Wise Counsel’ Model of Care to Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Families to Stay Together from the Start’, Oral – In-person presentation. 10th SNAICC National Conference. Darwin. September 2023

      Other Presentations

      Bromfield, L. Chair of  'Starting early for children in need – where we start matters' forum hosted by Healthy Development Adelaide at 5:30pm Tuesday 5 September 2023. (starts @6:15mins)

      Cleland, A. ‘Translating Best Interests for an Aboriginal Child: Decolonising Child Protection Law and Practice", for in person presentation at Child Protection & the Law for Legal Professionals Training hosted by Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers SA Inc. September 2023

      Krakouer, J. 'Towards systemic transformation: Shifting thinking on First Nations self-determination on child protection'. UniSA Justice & Society event. Friday 7 July 2023 (starts @ 1:12mins)

      O'Donnell, M. ACCP's Deputy Director Research, was the guest speaker at the Healthy Develpment Adelaide Women's Excellence in Research Award presentation, on Wednesday 3 May 2023

      Robinson, S. and O'Donnell, M. "Connecting the Dots: IPV & Children with Disability and the Role of the Healthcare Service"  hosted by Children's Healthcare Australasia, 12:30pm - 1:30pm 28 March 2023.

      Sparks. S., Thomas, L, Paton, A., & Goldsworthy, K. ACCP’s Deputy Director Practice, Amanda Paton was one of the guest speakers at the ‘Supporting children to participate in evaluation’ webinar hosted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) on Wednesday 3 May

      Paton, A., McKibbin, G., Tolliday, D., & Tucci, J. 'In Conversation — Introduction to harmful sexual behaviours: Understanding the language, where it occurs, what it looks like and how to respond'. Webinar, hosted by The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, 1pm - 2pm (AEDT) Thursday 23 November 2023

      Paton, A., Robertson, M., Sheriff, R., & Clarke, M. 'The Stride Series - Making Good Trouble: Let's Talk About Sex'. Webinar, hosted by Life Without Barriers, 1 - 2pm (AEDT) Tuesday 28 November 2023

      Young, S.  'Cultural and Clinical Supervision for Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Allies' webinar, hosted by ACCP. 12 – 1.30pm (ACDT) Wednesday 29 November. > Powepoiint slide available here

    • 2022 Presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Conference Presentations

      Hawkes, M., Evans, J., & Reed, B. 'Caring Records: transforming child protection case recording through interdisciplinary collaborations'. Australian Society of Archivists National Conference, Canberra October 2022

      Herbert, J. & Paton, A. 'Effects of Therapy at a Community Based Trauma Therapy Service Treating Child Abuse and Neglect: A Pre-Post Study Using Administrative Data'. Tallinn, Estonia (ISPCAN). June 2022

      Herbert. J. 'Rates of Therapy Utilization Following a Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse: A Review and Meta-Analysis'. Tallinn, Estonia. (ISPCAN) June 2022

      Octoman, O., Arney, F., Hawkes, M., & Ward, F. 'Characteristics and circumstances at the time families are first reported to child protection'. International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect International Congress, Quebec City Virtual Cconference March 2022

      Paton, A., Picket, K., Evans, A., Lambert, N., & Lamont, L.'Overview of strategies to prevent child sexual abuse and sexual violence nationally and in Western Australia' Panelist. Creating Compassionate Communities Confererence. Perth, WA. October 2022

      Maclean, M., Lima, F., & O’Donnell. 'Positive educational trajectories among children who experience out-of-home care'. International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect International Congress, Quebec City Virtual conference. May 2022

      Maclean, M., Lima, F., & O’Donnell. 'Education and children who experience care: exploring higher achievement & trajectories over time in the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study '. CREATE Foundation National Conference: Voices in Action Virtual presentation, April 2022

      Other Presentations

      Bromfield, L. ‘Rethinking Child Protection: Responding to families with complex needs’. 3th Annual SCPCP Workshop for Queensland Health Child Protection Liaison Officers and Child Protection Advisors, September 2022

      Bromfield, L., & Besell, S. 'Maintaining Momentum: Continuing to innovate and build Victoria’s Child and Family Services sector evidence base'. Outcomes Practice Evidence Network (OPEN) Symposium. Virtual Workshop. October 2022

      Bentham, M., Croser, K., Paton, A., Opie, T. 'Can narrative fiction films achieve significant impact for social justice?'. Panel Discussion, UniSA's Creative People, Products and Places (CP3) Research Centre. September 2022

      Herbert, J. I'mproving the Accessibility of Therapeutic Services Following a Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse Webinar' NSW Health. August 2022

      Herbert, J. 'Improving the Quality of Multi-Agency Work in Responses to Child Sexual Abuse' Webinar' NSW Health. August 2022

      Herbert, J. Multi-Agency Responses to Abuse – Redesigning systems to better serve children. University of Edinburgh, Scotland. June 2022

      Knight, K., Paton A. McCann, B., Schwarzman, J. “Evidence-informed decision making: Using research evidence to inform practice”.  webinar, March 2022

      Lawrie, A., O'Donnell, M., Beall, J., Sterk, J., Turner, M. 'Growing up safe and supported' forum presented by Healthy Development Adelaide, at the Napier 102 lecture theatre, North Terrace, University of Adelaide, September 2022.

      Maclean, M., Lima, F., & O’Donnell. 'Educational Outcomes Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study Roundtables with the Advisory Group & Evidence to Action Working Group'. Virtual presentation and meeting February 2022

      Maclean, M., Lima, F., & O’Donnell. 'Education and children who experience care: exploring higher achievement & trajectories over time in the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study.' FACSIAR Lunch and Learn: Improving educational outcomes for children and young people with child protection contact webinar, February 2022
       

      Murphy, E., O'Donnell, M. Blythe, S., Tocher, A., 'Infants entering out-of-home care: health, developmental trajectories and services'.  webinar. FACSIAR Lunch and Learn. The number of infants in Australia entering out-of-home care (OOHC) during the first year of life, June 2022.

       

       

       

    • 2021 Presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Conference Presentations

      O’Donnell M, Lima F, Maclean M, Taplin S. Infants entering out-of-home care: developmental needs and service provision. European Scientific Association on Residential and Family Care for Children and Adolescents, Zurich, Switzerland, September 2021.

      O’Donnell M, Lima F, Maclean M, Taplin S. Infants entering care: developmental needs and service provision. International Congress on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Milan, Italy, June 2021.

      Herbert, J. The Multiagency Investigation & Support Team: A Quasi-Experimental Study of Outcomes in Perth, Australia. National Children’s Alliance Virtual Leadership Conference, Washington, DC, June 2021.

      Moore, T. Vulnerability, empowerment and participation of children and young people in child safe organisations.  The 2nd Vulnerable Persons Conference,  University of Southern Queensland, Townsville, May 2021.

      Other Presentations

      Bromfield L. Rethinking Child Protection System Design Assumptions For Families With Multiple And Complex Needs. Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare. Tri-Peaks Webinar, May 2021

      Herbert, J., & Paton, A. Using data to inform therapeutic responses to child sexual abuse. Australian Institute of Family Studies, November 2021

      Moore, T. “Slow down and listen”: supporting children and young people who have experienced FDV. Women, Children and Domestic Family Violence. Healthy Development Adelaide, July 2021.

      Moore, T and Ey, L. Responding to concerns and disclosures in research with children and young people. EDGE-X Series. University of South Australia, Adelaide.

      Moore, T. Build us up, listen to what we say: Empowerment and Participation in Child Safe Organisations. Community of Practice: Child Safe Organisations. Victorian Commission for Children and Young People, Melbourne.

      Moore, T.  Fostering safety through children and young people’s empowerment and participation. Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, Melbourne

      Moore, T. Empowerment and Participation in Child Safe Organisations. NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian

      Gray P, Wise S, O’Donnell M. Pre-birth assessment and First Nations over-representation in infant removals. International Research Network on Infants and Toddlers in Child Protection, Oxford University, June 2021.

      O’Donnell M.. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Child Protection in the time of COVID-19. International working Group on Child Maltreatment Data. International Congress on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Milan, Italy, June 2021.

      O’Donnell M, Kazim A. Young people transitioning from out-of-home care. NSW Children in Care Collective, NSW, August 2021.

      O’Donnell M. World Perspectives: Emerging international issue of infants involved in child protection. International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, July 2021.

    • 2020 Presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Conference Presentations

      Arney, F. Bromfield, L. Cox, S. & Octoman, O. (2020). 'Understanding the true complexity of child welfare clients: A global emergency for family services' and 'Intervention design in child welfare: The utility of population-level case conceptualization'. Papers presented at the 35th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment, January 25th – 30th San Diego, California.

      Walsh, W., Herbert, J., & Hangarten, K. (2020) Exploring Good Practices in Developing Effective Multidisciplinary Teams in Children’s Advocacy Centers.  35th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment, January 25th – 30th San Diego, California.

      O’Donnell M.. Kempe Center International Virtual Conference, A Call to Action to Change Child Welfare. Infant removal panel. United States.

       

      Other Presentations

      Moore, T. Safety, Empowerment and Protective Participation: Lessons learned from children and young people. Anglicare

      O’Donnell M.  Using linked data to provide evidence for improved policy and practice for vulnerable children and families. Population Health Research Network, Australian Research Data Commons.

    • 2019 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Arney, F. Keynote Address, SNAICC Conference, 'Child and family focused system redesign: Harnessing early intervention and prevention potential to change the lives of children'. Adelaide 2-5 September 2019

      Bromfield, L. Presentation at the 34th Annual San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. New Insights into the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, and Australia’s Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. January 2019.

      Bromfield, L., Macdonald, S. Presentation at the Their Futures Matter Workshop – Child and Family Wellbeing: Designing a Connected System. Child Protection Helplines – Are we Realising the Prevention Potential?  Wednesday 13 February, 2019, Sydney.

      Moore, T. Keynote Address, National Council of Churches, Safer Churches Conference, 'Listening to the voices of children'. Brisbane 17-18 September

      Moore, T.  “Safe and Sound”: The importance of safety for children and young people in care. Life without Barriers, Adelaide

      Moore, T. Presented “Towards a child-informed set of Child Safety Standards: Lessons from an Australian Study on Safety” to Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), representatives from Tusla (Ireland’s statutory child protection agency), youth advocacy bodies, children’s charities and family support agencies. Dublin, 11 June 2019.

      Moore, T. Presented a keynote address at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre Conference - Changing Families, Changing Policy, Changing Practice: Family Support Now and in the Future. “From listening to acting: Collaborating with children and young people to foster change.” Galway, 13-14 June 2019.

      Moore, T. Presented a keynote at the Centre for Effective Services (CES) conference – Putting communities and families in the driving seat. “More than voice: Collaborating with children to make change.”  Belfast, 17 June 2019.

       

    • 2018 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      McDougall, S. Presentation at the 2nd Australasian FASD Conference. “Development of a conceptual framework exploring the neurodevelopmental impairments experienced by children with FASD”. Perth, WA, 22nd November 2018.

      Moore, T.  Key note address at the South Australian National Child Protection Week event,  5 September, 2018, Adelaide.

      Arney, F., Chong, A., & Taylor, C. Identifying early intervention and prevention pathways for child protection concerns raised in pregnancy, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) 22nd International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect, Prague, Czech Republic. 3 September, 2018.

      Arney, F., Chong, A., Taylor, C., & Octoman, O. Identifying factors associated with families with repeat involvement with child protection, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) 22nd International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect, Prague, Czech Republic. 3 September, 2018.

      Bromfield, L., & Cox, S. L. Identifying critical gaps and opportunities for capacity building in the child protection service system, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) 22nd International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect, Prague, Czech Republic. 3 September, 2018.

      Bromfield, L., & Cox, S. L. Matching investment to client complexity in child protection, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) 22nd International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect, Prague, Czech Republic. 3 September, 2018.

      Arney, F., Chong, A., & Taylor, C. Identifying early intervention and prevention pathways for child protection concerns raised in pregnancy, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference, Sydney, New South Wales. 21 August, 2018.

      Arney, F., Chong, A., Taylor, C., & Octoman, O. Identifying factors associated with families with repeat involvement with child protection, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference, Sydney, New South Wales. 21 August, 2018.

      Bromfield, L., & Cox, S. L. Identifying critical gaps and opportunities for capacity building in the child protection service system, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference, Sydney, New South Wales. 21 August, 2018.

      Bromfield, L., & Cox, S. L. Matching investment to client complexity in child protection, in Taking a new approach to early intervention and prevention of child abuse and neglect. Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference, Sydney, New South Wales. 21 August, 2018.

      Arney, F. Research to Practice presentation, “The extent of repeat involvement with child protection” for the Department for Child Protection. Education Development Centre, Adelaide, 30 May 2018.

      Octoman, O. Plenary panel presentation for ANROWS 2nd National Research Conference on Violence against Women - Sydney, New South Wales, May 2018.

      McLean, S. 'Developmental differences in children who have experienced adversity: Emerging evidence and implications for practice.' AIFS, 2 May 2018.

      Arney, F. Presentation at the Early Intervention Research Directorate Forum.  'EIRD: Findings of the first two Case File Reviews', 10 April 2018, Adelaide.

      Bromfield, L. Presentation at the Early Intervention Research Directorate Forum. 'Findings from the EIRD Desktop Evaluations', 10 April 2018, Adelaide.

      Chong, A. Presentation at the Early Intervention Research Directorate Forum.  'Positive Future's Research Collaboration', 10 April 2018, Adelaide.

    • 2017 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Anderson, A. & Bromfield, L. 'The Royal Commission’s Research Agenda'. Academy of Social Sciences Australia Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Workshop, April 2017,Melbourne.

      Arney, F. Presentation on the Early Intervention Research Directorate (EIRD) case file reviews research, at the Child protection and domestic violence: Meeting the challenges of collaboration symposium, presented by ANROWS and the South Australian Department for Child Protection, 23 October 2017, Adelaide.

      Arney, F. Presentation to the Adelaide Youth Court Judiciary focussing on the work of the Australian Centre for Child Protection and new findings in child protection research, 13 June 2017, Adelaide.

      Arney, F. and Gibson, C. 'Collaborative Practice', Cross Sector Orientation Workshop , 25 May 2017, Alice Springs.

      Bromfield, L. 'The Impact of Domestic Violence on Mothers, Babies and Young Children’ Murray Bridge 25 October 2017.

      Bromfield, L. 'Earliest intervention. What are we really talking about?' Presentation at the NAPCAN Play Your Part Awards, Adelaide, 6 September, 2017.

      Bromfield, L., & Anderson, A. 'Future research into child sexual abuse in institutional contexts' Academy of Social Sciences Australia Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Workshop, April 2017, Melbourne.

      Bromfield, L. & Parkinson, S. 'Neglect: It’s causes and consequences and practice implications'. NSW FACS Research to Practice Forum,  9 May 2017, Sydney

      Bromfield, L., Salveron, M and Main, J. 'Strengthening what works for children: Aligning target group, theory of change and program components to outcomes', Child Family Community Australia Webinar, 24 May 2017.

      Flaherty, R. 'Child-at-risk electronic medical record alert',  2017 Child Aware Approaches Conference, 13 June 2017 Brisbane.

      Gibson, C. 'Achievements of the Child Aware Local initiative', Child Aware Approaches Conference, 15-16 May 2017, Brisbane.

      Herbert, J., Invited half-day workshop 'Are We Doing a Better Job? – Evaluating the Child Advocacy Model', with the Canadian Department of Justice, and associated Child and Youth Advocacy Centres. 6 February 2017, Toronto Canada.

      Herbert, J., 'Better Together? Findings of a Three Year Program of Research on Multi-Agency Teams Responding to Child Abuse',  San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. 2nd February 2017, San Diego, USA.

      Walsh, W and Herbert, J., 'All Together Now: Variations in the Characteristics of Children's Advocacy Centers and Their Importance to Effective Inter-Agency Collaboration',  San Diego International Conference on Child and Family Maltreatment. 2nd February 2017, San Diego, USA.

    • 2016 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Arney, F., 'Keynote Address', 3rd Biennial Australasian Implementation Conference. Co-hosted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation and Melbourne University, Wednesday 5 October 2016, Melbourne.

      Arney, F., Panel Presentation, '"I hear it takes 17 years for research evidence to make it business as usual practice and policy!” How to create opportunities for rapid uptake of evidence in policy and practice'. What Works Global Summit sponsored by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Cochrane Collaboration. 26-28 September, 2016, London, UK.

      Arney, F. & Bromfield L., 'Shaping the Child Protection Reform Agenda Workshop'. University of South Australia, 18 August 2016, Adelaide.

      Arney, F., 'Reducing child abuse and neglect: Why child-focussed reform offers the greatest promise in child protection'.  Inaugural UniSA Enterprising Partnerships Talk. 17 August 2016, Adelaide.

      Arney, F., 'Service Improvement Project and Family Decision Making'. Intensive Family Support Services Professional Development Workshop, 27 July, 2016, Alice Springs.

      Arney, F. & Gibson, C. Presentation to AEDC state and Territory Co-ordinators on working with vulnerable children and their families, AEDC Coordinators Forum, 20 July 2016, Adelaide.

      Arney, F., 'Addressing Aboriginal over-representation and the implementation of the Child Placement Principle'. Presentation to the SA Child Protection Cabinet Committee on Child Protection, 1 June 206, Adelaide.

      Arney, F., 'Incorporating a population health approach into national frameworks to protect children from abuse, neglect and violence: How far have we come?' Royal Australasian College of Physicians Congress, 17 May 2016, Adelaide.

      Arney, F., 'Implementing family group conferencing'. NSW Department of Family and Community Services, 15 February, 2016, Sydney.

      Bromfield, L., Guest speaker at the launch of the National Interdisciplinary Education Framework for Professionals working in the Early Years, 29 September, 2016, Adelaide.

      Sweet. M., Geia. L., McCallum. K., Radoll. P., Weston. R., Chong. A., Mohamed. J., Dukes. C., Finlay. S. & Payne. S. 'Implementing a decolonising framework within institutional processes', Poster presentation at the Lowitja Institute International Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Conference, 8-10 November, 2016, Melbourne.

      Gibson, C., 'Learnings from the child aware local initiative'. Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) conference, 6-8 July 2016, Melbourne.

      Gibson, C., 'Developing a national interdisciplinary educational framework for working with children in the early years'. Child Aware Approaches Conference, 23-24 May 2016, Brisbane.

      Gibson, C., 'Recognising adversity and identifying supports for vulnerable families'. Royal Australasian College of Physicians Congress, 17 May 2016, Adelaide.

      Flaherty, R., 'Supporting at-risk pregnant women and their unborn children: Who cares?". Child Aware Approaches Conference, 23-24 May 2016, Brisbane.

      McLean, S., 'Children's attachment needs in the context of out -of-home care'. AIFS Webinar 16 November 2016.

      McLean, S. & Therapeutic Residential Care Alliance, 'Therapeutic Residential Care: Australian Consensus Definition and Agenda'. European Scientific Association on Residential And Family Care (EUSARF) Conference. 13-16 September 2016. Oviedo, Spain.

      McLean, S., Keynote Address, 'Supporting the child living with FASD; reflections from foster parents on what works'. National Fostering and Kinship Care Conference, 9-11 June 2016, Darwin.

      McLean, S., 'Understanding and responding to difficult behavior: Co-design of support materials'. National Fostering and Kinship Care Conference,9-11 June 2016, Darwin

      McLean, S., Panel: 'What does success look like in Out of Home Care?'.  National Fostering and Kinship Care Conference, 9-11 June 2016, Darwin.

      McLean, S., Inaugural ACU Titular Fellow Lecture, 28 April 2016, Linacre College, Oxford University, United Kingdom.

      McLean, S., 'Supporting looked after children'. Presentation to Multi-Dimensional Treatment Foster Care Team, 27 April 2016, Kidlington, UK.

      McLean, S., 'Supporting the development of looked-after children: what we know and what we need to do'. Public Seminar, Department of Education, 25 April 2016, Oxford University, United Kingdom.

      McLean, S., 'Helping looked-after children to manage their behaviour: what we need to consider'. Webinar for the REES Centre for research on Fostering and Education, 20 April 2016.

      Meiksans, J., 'Decision maker perceptions of the optimal out of home placement'. Families SA Research Seminar, 3 November, 2016, Adelaide.

      Meiksans, J., 'Decision maker perceptions of the optimal out of home placement'. European Scientific Association on Residential And Family Care (EUSARF) Conference. 13-16 September 2016. Oviedo, Spain.

      Meiksans, J., 'Factors influencing decision making about placement in out of home care: Development of the Child Placement Questionnaire'. European Scientific Association on Residential And Family Care (EUSARF) Conference. 13-16 September 2016. Oviedo, Spain.

      Octoman, O., 'Predicting child protection involvement from the first notification'. Families SA Research Seminar, 3 November, 2016, Adelaide.

      Octoman, O., 'Using administrative data to predict children with multiple reports to child protection'. International Congress for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, (ISPCAN), 28-31 August, Calgary, Canada.

      Salveron, M., 'Children's participation and voices: Turning good intentions into real action', Lutheran Community Care Conference, 13 September 2016

    • 2015 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Arney, F, 'Keynote Address- Child Protection is Everyone's Business', Keeping Children Safe, Together | A Child Protection Symposium.  Hosted by the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS), 8 December 2015, North Adelaide.

      Arney, F, 'Keynote Address', Communities for Children Annual Conference. December 2015, Adelaide.

      Arney, F, 'Keynote Address', Vibrant Sector, Capable Workers, Stronger Kids-Supporting Aboriginal child and young people to have the best possible future conference, Aboriginal Child, Family and Community Care State Secretariat (AbSec). 24-25 November 2015, Coffs Harbour, NSW

      Arney, F, 'Keynote Address- For children’s sake! What we need to do to prevent violence against children in Australia'. Prevention of Violence Against Children: Research, Policy and Practice Symposium, Children and Youth Research Centre, 17-18 November, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane.

      Arney, F, ‘Keynote Address’, 3rd National Conference on Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect: Collaboration – Communities, Government and Non-Government Organisations Working Together, Children: A Resource Most Precious 2015 Conference, 24-26 June 2015, Perth, Western Australia.

      Arney, F, ‘Research Leadership Forum’, Top Researcher Event with Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President: Research and Innovation Prof Tanya Monro, Adelaide, 16 March 2015.

      Arney, F, Presentation for Child Aware Local Approaches (CALI), Seaford Ecumenical Centre, Seaford, SA, 05 May 2015

      Blacklock, S., Arney, F., Menzies, K., Bonser, G., Hayden, P. (April 2015) Growing Our Spirit: Supporting the Recruitment of Community-Based Carers for Australian Aboriginal children, BASPCAN Conference 2015, Edinburgh.

      Gibson, C, Karen Fitzgerald Oration - Panel member, Reflective practice, 24th June 2015.

      Gibson, C, Winter School AOD conference – Presenter – Creating service-wide impact in partnership, Gibson, C. and McLean, S., Winter School AOD conference – Co-presenter with Sara McLean – Family sensitive practice in AOD services

      Herbert, J. 19th May – 29th May: Working from Crimes Against Children Research Centre, University of New Hampshire. Hosted by Associate Professor Wendy Walsh. Meetings with Lisa Jones, Kaitlin Lounsbury, Kimberly Mitchell, Ann Shattuck, Heather Turner, and Janis Wolak from the CaCRC., USA.

      Herbert, J. 10th – 12th June – One Child, Many Hands: A Multidisciplinary Conference on Child Welfare, USA

      Herbert, J. 31st – 3rd June – National Children’s Alliance Leadership Conference – Washington D.C., USA.

      Herbert. J. (2015). Multi-Agency Responses to Child Abuse: Research Agenda. Presentation at Parkerville Children & Youth Care Staff Meeting, Perth 13th May.

      Herbert, J. (2015). Evaluating multi-disciplinary responses to child abuse. Children A Resource Most Precious, Perth 24th – 26th June.

      McDougall, S, ‘Addressing the “neglect of neglect”: Understanding child neglect and potential actions for prevention and early intervention”, G200 Youth Forum, Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany. 29 April – 3 May 2015.

      McLean, S., Gibson, C., (2015) ‘No one size fits all – treatment across the life span’, Sofitel Brisbane, 23 July 2015.

      Salveron, M. ‘Western Australian ‘Signs of Safety’ Program of Research’, BASPCAN, 20 April 2015.

      Octoman, O., Arney, F., & Bromfield, L. (2015, 31st Mar) Repeat involvement with child protection: A review of the literature, 14th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Auckland, New Zealand.

      Salveron, M., Arney, F. The implementation of Signs of Safety within the Western Australian Department for Child Protection and Family Support. British Association for the Prevention and Study of Child Abuse and Neglect Congress, 12-15th April 2015, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

      Salveron, M., Arney, F. Understanding the Signs of Safety Theory of Change and comparing outcomes for children pre and post Signs of Safety. British Association for the Prevention and Study of Child Abuse and Neglect Congress, 12-15th April 2015, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

    • 2014 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Angharad, C. & Gibson, C. (2014, 31 March-1 April). 'My Kids and Me: Building capacity in the parents of at-risk children', Families Australia Child Aware Approaches - Promoting child and family wellbeing and safety, 31 March - 1 April 2014, Melbourne.

      Arney, F. (2014, 4 Feb). 'Uncommon common approaches: working aspirationally and inspirationally to support our most vulnerable children and young people: Inaugural Guest Orator Professor Fiona Arney'. Followed by a Panel Discussion focused on Collaborative Practice by Representatives of Key Interagency Partners in Child Protection. The Karen Fitzgerald Fund Oration. Presented by Karen Fitzgerald Fund for Children and Young People in conjunction with The Flinders Medical Centre Foundation. View the flyer.

      Blacklock, S., Arney, F., Menzies, K., Bonser, G., & Hayden, P. ( 2014, 18-20 August) 'Transforming evidence and practice to promote connection for Aboriginal children, their families and communities', Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference 2014, Sydney.

      Blacklock, S., Arney, F., Menzies, K., Bonsier, G., Hayden, P. (2014, 18-20 August) 'Emerging Practice - Stronger Ways with Aboriginal children, families and workers', Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference 2014, Sydney.

      Francis, H. (2014, 9 May) 'Ensuring the visibility of the child' presentation delivered at the SA Family Law Pathways Forum, Adelaide.

      Francis, H. (2014, 21 May) 'Building Skills and Knowledge', a facilitated workshop delivered at the Child and Family Welfare Association, in partnership with the Department of Education and Child Development, Adelaide.

      Francis, H. (accepted - 2014, 9-12 July) 'Policy to Place-Based Practice: "Child and family sensitive practice" in adult specialist sectors; responding to evidence that parental problems are high risk factors for children', Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development: Promoting social and economic equality, 9 - 12 July 2014, Melbourne. Visit the conference website.

      Francis, H. & Banders, A (2014, 10 April) 'Family Focus Practice Training' - a full day workshop hosted by AnglicareSA, Adelaide.

      Francis, H. & Gibson, C. (2014, 31 March) 'Joining the dots to promote child wellbeing and safety by connecting national initiatives', Families Australia Child Aware Approaches - Promoting child and family wellbeing and safety, 31 March - 1 April 2014, Melbourne. Learn more.

      Francis, H. & Gibson, C. (accepted - 2014, 01 April) 'Supporting practitioners' engagement with parents with multiple and complex needs to improve child wellbeing: eLearning', Families Australia Child Aware Approaches - Promoting child and family wellbeing and safety, 31 March - 1 April 2014, Melbourne. Learn more.

      Gibson, C. & Francis, H. (accepted - 2014, 14-17 September) 'Protecting and Nurturing Children: Building Capacity in services, Building Bridges between services to make a difference for vulnerable children', ISPCAN conference, Nagora, Japan.

      Gibson, C. (accepted - 2014, 30 July - 1 August) Convenor and discussant: symposium topic "Transformation in the way families with multiple and complex needs are served by all human services: meeting the challenge", AIFS conference, Melbourne.

      Gibson, C., Francis, H., Templeman, D., Lappin, S. & Christophers, S. (accepted - 2014, 30 July - 1 August) Symposium presenters: Topic "Transformation in the way families with multiple and complex needs are served by all human services: meeting the challenge", presenting 'In Policy', 'The Homelessness Sector', 'Within organisations', 'Supporting practitioners', AIFS conference, Melbourne.

      Gibson, C. (2014, 5 February) delivered lecture on Diffusion of Innovation to UniSA Social Work students, Magill campus.

      Gibson, C. & Lotto, K. (2014, 14-15 April) 'Assessing vulnerable children's health needs via school and community collaboration', Linking Up for Kids Conference, 14-15 April 2014, Menzies Hotel, Sydney.

      Gibson, C., & Francis, H. (accepted - 2014, 20 August) 'Supervision for safety', Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Conference 2014, 18- 20 August, Sydney.

      Scott, D. (2014, 14 February) Facilitated full day workshop titled 'Keeping focused on fragile families in turbulent times' as part of Protecting and Nurturing Children, Building Capacity Building Bridges initiative in partnership with Anglicare NT, Alice Springs. Workshop attracted 98 participants across the health and social services sector.

    • 2013 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Bromfield, L. & Guthridge, S. (2013, 10-13 Nov). Trends in child abuse and neglect in the Northern Territory (1999-2010). 13th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect, Melbourne.

      Bromfield, L., Salveron, M. & Turnell, A. (2013, 5-7 Nov). Why do you need a theory of change? The Signs of Safety child protection practice framework. Family Relationships Services Australia Conference, Canberra.

      Francis, H. & Arney, F. (2013) From policy to place-based practice: Seeing and hearing the child in adult specialist services, IPSCAN 13th Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect 15-18th September, Dublin, Ireland.

      Francis, H. & Gibson, C. (April 2013) Who needs a Child and Family Sensitive Practice workshop, Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne 11-12 April 2013.

      Francis, H. & White, M. (Nov 2012) Child and Family Sensitive Practice: an AOD case study in Children Community Connections Conference, Adelaide 15-16th November 2012.

      Gibson, C. (Nov 2013) Enhancing the safety of vulnerable children by improving inter-professional communication. Australasian Conference of Child Abuse and Neglect Melbourne

      Gibson, C. & Francis, H. (Nov 2013) Child and family sensitive practice: a response to evidence that parental problems are risk factors for children. Australasian Conference of Child Abuse and Neglect Melbourne

      Gibson, C. & Francis, H. (Nov 2013) Child and family sensitive practice: a workshop for all sectors? FRSA National Conference  Investing in Families and Communities Canberra

      Iannos, M. (May 2013) ‘Evidence informed practice in intensive family support programs – are we there yet?’ Webinar presented for Australian Institute of Family Studies – Child, Family, Community Australia, 21st May 2013.

      Morgan, B., Horwood, S., White, M. & Francis, H. (Nov 2012) Child aware supervision field testing, Children Community Connections Conference, Adelaide 15-16th November 2012.

      McDougall, S., & McLean, S. (accepted) Interventions for children prenatally exposed to alcohol: A review of the literature, 13th Australian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Melbourne, Australia. 10th-13th November.

      McDougall, S., & McLean, S. (accepted) The contribution of child maltreatment to social phobia: a review of the published literature from 2002-2013, 13th Australian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Melbourne, Australia. 10th-13th November.

      McDougall, S. & McLean, S. (accepted) Interventions for children prenatally exposed to alcohol: A review of the literature, the Australasian Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Conference. Brisbane, Australia. 19-20th November.

      McDougall, S., & McLean, S. (2013) Interventions for children prenatally exposed to alcohol: A review of the literature presented at the 8th International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN) Latin American International Conference. 6-9th October. Vina Del Mar, Chile.

      McDougall, S., & McLean, S. (2013) What is the contribution of childhood maltreatment to the development of social anxiety disorder? Poster presentation at the 8th ISPCAN Latin American International Conference. Vina Del Mar, Chile. 6th-9th October.

      McDougall, S., McLean, S. & DeGregorio, L. (accepted) A systematic review of executive functions of maltreated children: implications for out-of-home care, 13th Australian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. Melbourne, Australia. 10th-13th November.

      McLean, S. (2013, July 30th) ‘Child maltreatment, cognitive vulnerabilities and youth offending: functional challenges.’ Youth Justice Research Forum. Youth Justice Leadership Group, Department of Communities and Social Inclusion.

      McLean, S. (2013, July 3rd). ‘Attachment theory and foster care: What attachment theory can and can’t tell us’. Temporary Family Team Leadership Group, ACT and NSW, Barnados Australia.

      McLean, S. (2013, June 27) (Keynote Address) Disruptive and Challenging Behaviour in Out-of-Home Care: A functional Approach. Inaugural Out-of-home Care Summit, Melbourne, June 27-28th.

      McLean, S. (2013, April 23rd). ‘Challenging behaviour amongst children in care: What does it mean?’ Find a Family Team Leadership Group, NSW. Barnados Australia.

      McLean, S. & Octoman, O. (2013, 10-13 Nov). Challenging behaviour in foster care: A systematic review of supports, 13th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Melbourne, Victoria.

      McLean, S. & Parkinson, S. (2013, May 22) (Symposium) ‘The impact of maltreatment on cognitive and language development: What does early neurobiological adversity mean for youth justice workers?’ Symposium in partnership with Associate Professor Pamela Snow (School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University). Australasian Youth Justice Conference (AIC), Canberra, May 20-22.

      Octoman, O. & Bromfield, L. (2013, 10-13 Nov). Chronic maltreatment: Findings from a longitudinal cohort study using child protection data. 13th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect, Melbourne.

      Octoman, O. & McLean, S. (2013, 10-13 Nov) Challenging behavior in foster care: what supports do foster carers want?, 13th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Melbourne, Victoria.

      Octoman, O. & McLean, S. (2013, Sept 16th) Foster carers views about behaviours that cause problems in foster care. 13th International Society Prevention Child Abuse and Neglect. Dublin, UK.

      Parkinson, S. (2013, 20-22 May). “What impact does FASD have on the juvenile justice system?” Presented as part of a symposium titled “The impact of maltreatment on cognitive and language development: What does early neurobiological adversity mean for youth justice workers?” with Dr Sara McLean and Assoc. Prof. Pamela Snow at the Australasian Youth Justice Conference, Canberra.

      Price-Robertson, R. & Bromfield, L. (2013, April 11-12). Exploring issues and barriers at the interface of legal reporting obligations and child aware approaches. Child Aware Approaches Conference, Melbourne.

      Salveron, M., Finan, S. & Bromfield, L. (2013, 20 Nov) '"Listen to me": Emphasising children and young people's voices in child protection practice'. Signs of Safety Festival of Learning, Perth.

      Salveron, M., Finan, S. & Bromfield, L. (2013, 10-13 Nov). '"Listen to me": Emphasising children and young people's voices in child protection practice'. 13th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect, Melbourne.

      Winsor, T. & McLean, S. (2013, 10-13 Nov.) 'Mental Health Needs of Young People in Statutory Residential Care: Prevalence of Mental Health Concerns and Workers' Recognition'. 13th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect, Melbourne.

    • 2012 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Parkinson, S. & Bromfield L. (2012, 25-27 July). “Recruiting young adults to child maltreatment research through Facebook: A feasibility study.” 12th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, Victoria.

      Parkinson, S. (2012, August 20). “Accessing young people in the 21st century. ” Association for Children’s Welfare Agencies Conference, Sydney, New South Wales.

      Parkinson, S. (2012, August 24). “Online social media, young people, and the judicial system.” Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration Conference, Brisbane, Qld.

      Parkinson, S. (2012, 27-31 August). “Data collection in the 21st Century. ” Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference, Adelaide. (Accepted, unable to present).

      Parkinson, S. (2012, November 16). “Facebook: Is it useful for service provision and research with young people?” Children Communities Connections Conference, Adelaide.

      McLean, S. & Parkinson, S. (2012, December 5-7). “Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Social Cognition in Children”. Australasian Society for Psychiatric Research 2012 Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia. (Accepted, unable to present)

      McLean, S. & DeGregorio, L. (2012)'Cognitive vulnerabilities of maltreated children: New directions for intervention'.  XIX International Congress on Child Abuse and Neglect, International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, Istanbul, Turkey.

      Parkinson, S. (2012) 'Accessing young people in the 21st Century', 2012 Association of Children's Welfare Conference, Sydney.

      Iannos, M. (2012) 'What Works in Child Protection? Project: A Practice Framework for Intensive Home Based Family Support Programs at the Benevolent Society', 2012 Association of Children's Welfare Conference, Sydney.

      Gibson, C. & Francis H. (2012) 'Children's Rights: What's Right for Children?" 2012 Association of Children's Welfare Conference, Sydney.

      Parkinson, S. (2012)'Online social media, young people, and the judicial system', Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration 2012 Conference, Brisbane.

      Bromfield, L. (2012)'Domestic Violence and Child Protection', Families SA Conference 2012.

      Arney, F. (2012 keynote presentation)'The impact of stress in early childhood on health and mental health, and strategies to prevent long term harm', 16th Chronic Diseases Network Conference, Darwin.

      Scott, D. (2012 seminar)'Reducing Child Abuse and Neglect: reviews, reforms and reflections', Australian Institute of Family Studies seminar for Child Protection Week, Melbourne.

      DeGregorio, L. & McLean, S. (2012, July 6) ‘Neurocognitive profiles of children in out-of-home care’. Australasian Conference of Child Trauma. Gold Coast, Australia

      DeGregorio, L. & McLean, S. (2012, July 26) ‘Neurocognitive profiles of children in out-of-home care: systematic review’. 12th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, July 25-27, Melbourne Australia.

      Parkinson, S. & Bromfield, L (2012, July 25-27). ‘Recruiting young adults to child maltreatment research through Facebook’. 12th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, July 25-27, Melbourne Australia.

      Scott, D & Francis, H (2012) 'From Policy to Place-Based Practice: Seeing and Hearing the Child in Adult Specialist Services’, 12th Australian Institute of Family Studies conference, July 25-27, Melbourne Australia.

      Scott, D. (2012) ‘Insights from my involvement in Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry’, Queen Elizabeth Centre 7th International Conference, November 15-16, Melbourne.

    • 2011 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Scott, D. (2011) ‘New directions in child protection policy and practice’. The Catherine Helen Spence Oration, Hawke Research Centre, UniSA. Listen to the podcast here. View the powerpoint slides here.

      Gibson, C. "Think Child, Think Family: New Directions in Human Services", Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, 2011.

      Bromfield, L. (2011) ‘Does a perfect system exist?’, NSW Child Protection and Wellbeing Interagency Conference, 30 November 2011, NSW Government and the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies, in Sydney, NSW.

      Berry, M. (2011) "Essential Elements of Best Practice in Child Protection", Faculty of Human Sciences at Macquarie University, NSW, 20 October 2011.

      Bromfield, L. (2011) (keynote address)” The Role of Child Death Reviews in an Integrated System for Enhancing Child Protection Practice”,  in Victoria, British Columbia sponsored by Sandra Griffin, Assistant Deputy Minister, Quality Assurance and Alex Scheiber, Deputy Director of Child Welfare. The address was attended by Ministry of Children and Family Development Staff in Victoria, British Columbia. The address was also broadcast live to staff in every region of British Columbia along with senior quality assurance and policy staff in the Yukon, Saskatchewan and Alberta - a combined audience of approximately 80 participants.

      Berry, M. (2011)"Critical Components of Service in Preventing Child Abuse and Preserving Families", Knowledge Works lecture, University of South Australia, 11 October 2011. The podcast of the Professorial lecture is available online.

      Gibson, G. (2011)"Diffusion of innovation and program evaluation", the Australasian Evaluation Society 2011 International Conference, 29 August - 2 September 2011.

      Gibson, G. (2011) "Getting from homeless to happy",  Welcome Home - Shelter NSW Conference on Housing for an Inclusive Society, Sydney, 29 June 2011.

      Berry, M. (2011), invited participant and member of the International Association of Outcome Based Evaluation and Research in Family and Children's Services and attended their ‘Annual Research Seminar’ in Malosco, Italy, 27-28 June 2011.

      Berry, M. (2011) "Building Blocks for an Evidence Based Practice: Clues from Different Countries”, Integrating evidence based practices in child and family services: Lessons learned from different countries. Bozen, Italy. 29 June 2011.

      Berry, M. (2011) "Curriculum on evidence based practices in child welfare services", the University of Houston, Graduate School of Social Work, Houston, Texas, USA. 1 July 2011.

      Bromfield, L. (2011) "Cumulative harm: The effects of chronic child maltreatment." Trinity College, Dublin, School of Social Work and Social Policy, June 2011. The public address was attended by approx 100 people and included representatives from academia, policy, practice, child death review and media.

      Gibson, G. (2011)"Innovation, evidence and dissemination", invited lecture to Masters of Social Work students, Flinders University, 31 May 2011. The lecture was followed by an informal discussion on related topics with students.

      McLean, S. (2011) "Application of attachment theory: implications for judicial decisions", Child Protection in Australia and New Zealand - Issues and Challenges for Judicial Administration Conference, Brisbane, 5-7 May 2011.

      Berry, M. (2011),"Creating Intergenerational Change”, Newpin Conference, Dockside, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 7th April 2011.

      Berry, M. (2011),”UniSA Foundation - Making a Difference, Luncheon address”, UniSA, 8 March 2011.

      Berry, M. & Bromfield, L. (2011),"How do we know what works in child protection", Benevolent Society, 28 February 2011.

      Gibson, G. (2011)"Diffusion of innovation and program evaluation", Australasian Evaluation Society Conference, 2011.

      Gibson, G. (2011)"Bringing together professional education and research", College of Child and Family Protection Practitioners, 5th National Conference, 2011.

      Gibson, G. (2011)"Attachment, Social Work and Foster Care", lecture at Flinders University, Adelaide.

      McLean, S. (2011)"Issues in Child Protection", School of Journalism, University of South Australia, 12 October 2011.

      McLean, S. (2011)"Reporting in Child Protection", School of Journalism, University of South Australia, 30 May 2011.

      McLean, S. (2011)"Attachment theory and foster care", Department of Social Work and Social Planning, Flinders University, SA, 15 March 2011.

      McLean, S. (2011) "Residential care workers' engagement with mental health and disruptive behaviour: unique tensions", College of Child and Family Protection Practitioners 5th National Conference, Canberra, 2011.

      McLean, S. (2011)"Stakeholders' experiences of challenging behaviour in the out-of-home sector: barriers to effective collaborative practice", College of Child and Family Protection Practitioners 5th National Conference, Canberra, 2011.

    • 2010 presentations minus-thick plus-thick

      Berry, M. (2010),"Family well-being: Building strength, engagement and partnership". Keynote address: Annual Family Strengths and Assets Summit, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, December 2010.

      Berry, M. (2010),"Measuring family well-being: A strengths-based approach", Annual Family Strengths and Assets Summit, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, December 2010.

      McLean, S. (2010), "Effective support in out-of-home care: the experience of working together". Paper presented to Senior Management Group Forum, Department of Families and Communities. Sunnybrae Function Centre, Adelaide.

      Berry, M. (2010),keynote address: "How do we protect families?" Children, Communities, Connections Annual Conference, Adelaide, November 2010.

      Berry, M. (2010) keynote address: "International research on children's centres: A brief description of the findings of eight case studies in children's centres around the world", South Australia Children's Centres Leaders Meeting, Adelaide, SA.

      Berry, M. (2010), , 'Current Trends in child abuse and neglect in the United States: What might Australians learn and disregard from this evidence base', Australian Institute of Family Studies, 8 September 2010.

      Bromfield, L. (2010)"Domestic violence risk assessment in child protection", Domestic Violence Risk Assessment and Engagement Workshop. NSW Community Services, Sydney, NSW.

      Bromfield, L. (2010),"The Role of Child Death Reviews in an Integrated System for Enhancing Child Protection Practice" (324KB pdf) 2nd Australasian Conference on Child Death Inquiries and Reviews, Brisbane, 19-20 August 2010.