Research and Submissions Primary Centre contact: Dr Michele Lonsdale Director of Social Policy and Research michele.lonsdale@cfecfw.asn.au The Centre conducts research across the children and family services sector, utilising data and information to drive government policy, develop new ideas for the sector, and advocate for change where it is needed most. Our Social Policy and Research team focuses on evidence-based practices, and has recently worked on projects around education, family violence, men’s behaviour change, and data regarding foster carers in Victoria. We aim to gather data and information that can drive the actions and goals of the sector, to ensure that we are providing the best support and advocacy possible to children and families across the state. If you are interested in our research, see below our recent responses to proposed government policies and papers. Research The Centre and FamilyCare conducted a survey in May and June 2019 to gather information from child and family services practitioners about the impact of social security reforms on single mothers and their children. We received 169 responses and found that: These families are routinely in financial crisis directly linked to the design and delivery of the social security system This is having significant impacts on the ability of state-funded services to meet their needs. You can read an overview of the survey findings here. The findings were presented by David Tennant (CEO, FamilyCare) and Kelly Bowey (Senior Policy and Research Officer) at the Australian Social Policy Conference in September 2019. Take a look at the conference paper here. You can also view the presentation slides. Submissions Child Information Consultation Paper September 2017 Recent policy work Review of the Cashless Debit Card Trial in Ceduna and East Kimberley In Brief: A Critical Look at the Cashless Debit Card Trial State government submissions Submission to the Victorian Government on a Victorian Gender Equality Strategy Response to the Victorian Government’s Lookout Education Support Centres consultation paper Roadmap for Reform Submission from the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Submissions to the Commission for Children and Young People Submission to the Commission for Children and Young People Inquiry into the Implementation of the Children, Youth and Families Amendment (Permanent Care and Other Matters) Act 2014 Consultation Paper Responses to the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children in residential care in Victoria Royal Commission into Family Violence Submission to the Royal Commission into Family Violence Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse The Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare provided the following submissions to the Royal Commission: Consultation Paper – Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Out of Home Care Issues Paper 10 – Advocacy and Support and Therapeutic Treatment Services Issues Paper 9 – Addressing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Primary & Secondary Schools Issues Paper 7 – Victims of Crime Compensation Scheme Issues Paper 6 – Redress Schemes Issues Paper 5 – Civil Litigation Issues Paper 4 – Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children in Out of Home Care Issues Paper 3 – Child Safe Institutions Consultation Paper – Terms of Reference Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System Submission to the Royal Commission into the Victorian Mental Health System
