OUR RESEARCH

research, policy and reports

spotlight

Agenda for Change: Ensuring a safe and supportive out-of-home care system for children and young people in New South Wales

A system in crisis: A call for transformation The out-of-home care system in New South Wales (NSW) should be a safe haven for children, young people and families. It is a system in crisis. Children,...

This policy document calls on the new New South Wales Government to support and implement six fundamental changes to the out-of-home care system.
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Sibling placement in out-of-home care – Research brief

The significance of sibling relationships for children and young people in out-of-home care is well documented by national and international scholars (Luu, Conley Wright, & Cashmore, 2020). These relationships offer an opportunity for children to...

This research brief examines what we know about sibling placement in Australia and explores findings about ways to support siblings in out-of-home care.
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Understanding the needs of kinship carers in Australia – Research brief

Kinship care placements in Australia are now more prevalent than foster care. They are the fastest growing form of out-of-home care in this country (AIHW, 2021). On 30 June 2019, 93% of Australian children in...

This research brief examines what is known about children in kinship care and identify kinship carers needs and key messages from the research.
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Pulse check survey

The ITC Pulse Check Survey and Outcome Report provides a point-in-time reflection on the experiences of the reform process by ITC agency staff. To this end, the survey results clearly show that the process of...

In late 2020, CETC surveyed 217 Intensive Therapeutic Care staff to evaluate the success and challenges of the ITC system in NSW after its first two years. This is the report on the outcomes of that survey.
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Strengthening connections & relationships project

What is this research about? Young people in residential care face major challenges that can prevent them from forming healthy relationships and a strong personal identity, which are critical building blocks for their wellbeing and...

Written by: Lynne McPherson
This research aims to understand the practices that help young people living in therapeutic residential care to have a positive self-identity and to form strong, healthy relationships.
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Minimum age of criminal responsibility in the ACT

  This submission addresses the question of whether the age of criminal responsibility (MACR) should be increased and submits that the age should be raised from 10 years old to a minimum of 14 years...

This submission addresses the question of whether the age of criminal responsibility (MACR) should be increased and submits that the age should be raised from 10 years old to a minimum of 14 years old in the Australian Capital Territory.
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Enabling young people’s participation in residential care decision-making – Research brief

The literature on how young people participate in decision-making in residential care identifies three main aspects of participation: being able to access information to take part in decisions that matter; having opportunities and capabilities to...

This research brief explores the importance and strategies for supporting young people’s participation in residential care decision making.
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The needs of LGBTIQ young people in out-of-home care – Research brief

Young people who are same sex attracted, trans or gender diverse – a population who will be referred to in this document as LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer/ questioning) except in particular...

This research brief provides an overview of what is known about the experience of young LGBTIQ young people in therapeutic care need and how those working with young people currently residing in and who have experience of care can be best supported.
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What is effective therapeutic care? Research brief

This research briefing is an introduction to therapeutic care as a preferred response for children and young people who have experienced complex trauma and are unable to live at home. Whilst therapeutic care programs have...

An introduction to therapeutic care as a preferred response for children and young people who have experienced complex trauma and are unable to live at home.
    POLICY

    our policy and reports

    Agenda for Change: Ensuring a safe and supportive out-of-home care system for children and young people in New South Wales

    This policy document calls on the new New South Wales Government to support and implement six fundamental changes to the out-of-home care system.

    Minimum age of criminal responsibility in the ACT

    This submission addresses the question of whether the age of criminal responsibility (MACR) should be increased and submits that the age should be raised from 10 years old to a minimum of 14 years old in the Australian Capital Territory.

    PROJECTS

    our research projects

    Strengthening connections & relationships project

    Written by: Lynne McPherson

    This research aims to understand the practices that help young people living in therapeutic residential care to have a positive self-identity and to form strong, healthy relationships.