August 2015

5th Annual Sector Research Symposium

29th & 30th October 2015, Melbourne University

From Inquiry to Action: Research, policy and practice conference

Major Sponsor – Sector

Sector Research Partners:

This is a time of unparalleled public attention to the work of child youth and family services. The Federal Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, the Victorian Royal Commission on Family Violence and the South Australian Royal Commission into Child Protection Services, as well as other inquiries have created the opportunity to reflect deeply on the way we provide services and support. This two day Research Conference will inform, challenge and inspire those concerned with taking the next steps – from Inquiry to Action. Whether carrying Inquiry into Action through research, practice enhancement, program improvement or policy development, this event will provide the opportunity to share latest developments with colleagues.

Key Conference Themes will include

• Child Safety: Beyond Inquiry – How can we keep children and young people safe?
• Educational Outcomes for Vulnerable Children – Our challenges and opportunities for the next decade
• Research, Evidence and Practice of Working with Vulnerable Families in Australia
• The Voice of Young People, Children, Parents & Carers in Research, Policy and Service Delivery

Call for papers now open

Now open, closing 14th August 2015
www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2220439/From-Inquiry-To-Action-Abstracts

Registrations

At www.trybooking.com/145682

Click here for further information

Roadmap for Reform

On Thursday 6th August, Minister Mikakos announced the Roadmap for Reform: Stronger Families, Safe Children.

This roadmap will look at services and programs with the aim of: intervening early to prevent abuse; and in cases where children and young people cannot live safely with their own parents, ensuring the out-of-home care system is as good as it can be and has an emphasis on home-based care. It will consider how to achieve reunification of children with their parents where it is safe to do so.

Please click here for further information.

Learning & Development

The Centre Training Guide 2015 provides details on the range of accredited and non-accredited training available to members and non-members.

How to Undertake Program Logic (Monday 7th September 2015)

This session will provide an introduction to Program Logic, outlining the logic that underpins a program or practice. Logic is identified by tracking how the original aims and goals of the program are linked to the activities and intended outcomes. Understanding program logic is fundamental to effective monitoring and evaluation processes.

For more information on Upcoming Learning & Development Opportunities click here.

Len Tierney Lecture 2015

Understanding and responding to the impact of violence in families – Monday 17 August 2015

Dr. Jenney will discuss some of the challenges of designing and delivering social services for women experiencing intimate partner violence, specifically focusing on Mothers in Mind® (MIM), a mother and child program specifically designed to meet the parenting needs of mothers who have experienced family violence, childhood abuse, neglect or sexual assault, and have children under the age of four.

RSVP online by Tuesday 11 August 2015

Early Childhood in Foster & Kinship Care

The purpose of the Early Childhood in Foster and Kinship Care study is to collect important new information that government and non-government agencies can use to support the good development of foster and kinship care children during early childhood and ensure they start school healthy and eager to learn.

You are invited to take part in the Early Childhood in Foster and Kinship Care study if you are the main carer of a foster or kinship care child who has yet to start their first year of full-time schooling.

Click here for further information.

Stability Planning & Permanent Care Report

The Stability Planning and Permanent Care project was undertaken to conduct research recommended by the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry (2012).

The project was undertaken during 2013 and early 2014, to determine why it was taking more than 5 years from a report being made to child protection for a permanent care order being made.

The final report is now available and can be accessed here.

Transition to Independent Living Allowance

The implementation arrangements for the Commonwealth’s Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) in Victoria are now in place.

Melbourne City Mission (MCM) is managing the TILA application process across Victoria. This email contains general information about the process – for any further advice please contact Melbourne City Mission on the leaving care hotline: 1300 532 846 or email: tila@mcm.org.au

Further details can be accessed here.

Anti-Poverty Week 11-17 Oct 2015

More than one million Victorians are living near or below the poverty line painting an alarming picture of increasing disadvantage across the state. Across Australia there are 2.5 million people living below the internationally accepted poverty line of 50 per cent of median income.

Each year during Anti-Poverty Week we seek to strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and within Australia, and to encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments.

You can participate in Anti-Poverty Week by organising an activity during the Week or taking part in an activity organised by others.

Sector Research Symposium – Sponsorship Opportunities

There are still a number of sponsorship opportunities available for the 5th Annual Sector Research Symposium to be held 29-30 October.

For details on how to become a sponsor click here or call the Centre on 03 9614 1577

Retirement – Marilyn Webster

Marilyn Webster – Director Social Policy & research at the Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare retired on Tuesday 28th July.

Marilyn had worked across the child, young people and families sector for over 40 years. The Centre wishes her well in the next stage of her life.

CREATE – Conference

Registrations are now open for CREATE’s highly anticipated 2015 conference – Youth for Change: creating a better future. The conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from the 2-4 October 2015 and is open to all children and young people in care, carers, government officials and those working in the sector. The conference is unique and the only one of its kind and the must attend event for 2015.

Click here to register.

ARACY – Events

The Australian Research Alliance for Children & Youth (ARACY) have a number of events with Professor Robert Marvin occuring across August including:

• The dark matter of love: Science can change the way you love – August 17
• Attachment: What matters, what works and what translates? – August 18
• Pre-School Strange Situation Procedure workshop – August 19-28 (8 Days)

Beyond 18

The Beyond 18 project’s first survey for young people is now live.

Young Victorians are eligible to participate if they are between 16-19 years in 2015 and have spent time in foster care, residential care, lead tenant, permanent care, or kinship care placements.

Each young person who completes the survey receives a $50 gift card.

Click here to access the survey.