From journal articles to Quick Guides and webinars, you will find tools and information to support.
This article in Adoption and Fostering, valuable for practitioners, examines the dual roles of foster parents as parents and professionals. It provides insights into the challenges and evolution of their self-perception, highlighting the importance of understanding and supporting the complex dynamics within foster care.
This study in Child and Family Social Work examines barriers to meaningful contact between children and birth parents, as identified by legal and social work practitioners in Queensland. The study reveals four key themes: system-driven responses, poor relationships and mistrust, lack of culturally responsive practice, and exclusion of parents from the consultation process. The findings provide valuable insights for practitioners working to improve contact arrangements for children and their birth parents.
This report models the Summers Proposal, highlighting the potential benefits of improving social security payments for single mothers. Implementing the proposal could reduce the poverty gap and provide practitioners with valuable evidence to support vulnerable women and children in leaving violent relationships.
This report shares insights from the Brotherhood of St Laurence's trial to support young people with disabilities in mainstream employment pathways. The trial used a place-based approach and Advantaged Thinking, emphasising participants' aspirations and abilities. It highlights program challenges, positive outcomes, and areas for improvement, offering valuable lessons for practitioners.
The Western Sydney University review of 25 programs on reducing maltreatment of vulnerable children identified effective models and common components, such as flexible engagement, relationship-building, parental capacity development, and strong case management, providing valuable insights for practitioners.
The Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre (MGFVPC) conducted a research project in collaboration with FSV to develop MARAM practice guidance. This report presents findings from in-depth interviews with Victorian children and young people (ages 10-25) who have experienced family violence, providing valuable insights for practitioners working in this field.
This ANROWS research report aims to develop a culturally safe practice framework for professionals working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families experiencing domestic violence. It highlights the need for improved responses to intergenerational trauma and greater focus on healing to reduce distress among children and young people. The report is valuable for practitioners seeking to enhance their support with trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches.
This article in Social Work Education highlights the importance of Indigenous-led out-of-home care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Based on qualitative research, it provides ten directives to non-Indigenous stakeholders, offering guidance on managing mistrust, combating racism, and empowering Indigenous voices. This valuable resource informs practitioners about the need for culturally sensitive and inclusive approaches in supporting Indigenous communities within the child protection system.
The last OPEN Forum of 2022 centred around innovations in out-of-home care, aiming to enhance the well-being of children and young people entering the care system, residing in residential care, or engaged with allied support services. Presentations featured topics such as The Care Hub, an innovative model of collaborative practice by Anglicare Victoria, the Improving Care Initiative by DFFH, and Empathy & Action: Learning from care leavers by The Centre.
