Australian Temperament Project

The Australian Temperament Project (ATP) is a longitudinal study following young people's psychosocial development from infancy into adulthood. It investigates the contribution of personal, family, peer and broader environmental factors to adjustment and wellbeing. The Institute has managed and taken the lead in the study since 2000, in conjunction with researchers from the University of Melbourne, Deakin University and the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne.

The study began in 1983 with the recruitment of 2,443 Victorian infants and their families. Fourteen waves of data collection have been completed across the first 24 years of life. Aspects assessed range from attributes and assets - such as temperament style, social skills, family and peer relationships, and school adjustment - to problems and difficulties - such as antisocial behaviour, substance abuse, anxiety and depression. The focus has widened in recent years to encompass employment and career development, relationship formation and dissolution, marriage and parenthood aspirations, and social and civic participation.

The 15th data collection wave (at 27-28 years) is scheduled to commence in July 2010. This is partially funded by an Australian Research Council Discovery Grant.

During the reporting period, ATP data were used to analyse and report on the prevalence and long-term outcomes of child abuse and neglect. In addition, a project was undertaken with the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) that examined intergenerational mobility and its effects on vulnerable children, and another project was undertaken with Access Economics to investigate the effects of positive parenting on young people's outcomes.

The ATP continued to attract considerable media attention during the year, with the study receiving extensive media coverage. The number of pages downloaded from the ATP website increased from the previous financial year.

Publications

Price-Robertson, R., Bromfield, L., & Vassallo, S. (2010). The prevalence of child abuse and neglect (NCPC Resource Sheet No. 21). Melbourne: National Child Protection Clearinghouse.

Smart, D. (2009). Year 2009 newsletter to all ATP members. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Smart, D. (2009). Year 2009 newsletter to all ATP parents. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Smart, D., Hayes, A., Sanson, A., & Toumbourou, J. W. (2009). Mental health and well-being of Australian adolescents. In D. Bennett, S. Towns, E. Elliott & J. Merrick (Eds.), Challenges in adolescent health: An Australian perspective (pp. 49-60). New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Presentations

Katz, I., Redmond, G., & Smart, D. (2009, 4 December). Inter-generational mobility in Australia: How do vulnerable kids fare? 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Price-Robertson, R., Smart, D., Bromfield, L., & Vassallo, S. (2009, 18 November). Comparing impacts of positive parent-child relationships and maltreatment on psychosocial outcomes: Findings from a representative sample of Victorian young people. Asia Pacific Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect Conference, Perth.

Child Support and Labour Market Participation

Despite the growth in the number of separated families over the last three decades, little Australian evidence exists in relation to the impact of child support payments on the labour supply decisions of resident mothers or how these interact with the financial incentives generated by the income support and taxation systems. This project studied the impact of child support payments on resident mothers' decisions about participating in the labour market.

The project has been completed, and a final report titled The Impact of Child Support Payments on the Labour Supply Decisions of Resident Mothers was delivered to FaHCSIA in February 2010. This research was also presented at the 2nd LSAC Research Conference in November 2009 and will be published as an AIFS Research Report in 2010-11.

Driving Behaviour Study

The Driving Behaviour Study used data from the Australian Temperament Project to examine the road safety behaviours of young people, and the personal, family and wider environmental factors associated with differing profiles of driving behaviour.

The project began in 2002 with the collection of data on young adults' (19-20 years) learner driving experiences, current driving patterns and risky driving behaviours. This data was used in conjunction with data from the ATP longitudinal dataset to investigate the personal, family and wider environmental factors associated with differing types of driving behaviours. In 2006, similar data was collected on the driver history and experiences of the 23-24 year old ATP study members as part of Wave 14.

The second wave of road safety data was analysed in 2009. Analyses focused on: (a) driving behaviour trends at 23-24 years of age; (b) connections between differing types of driving behaviours at 23-24 years, such as speeding, drink driving, crash involvement and risky driving; (c) across-time stability and change in risky driving from 19-20 to 23-24 years; (d) links between substance use and driving; and (e) family, personal and lifestyle influences on young people's driving behaviour.

A report outlining the findings of these analyses was released in April 2010. Further dissemination of the study findings is planned for 2010-11.

Publications

Vassallo, S., Smart, D., Cockfield, S., Gunatillake, T., Harris, A., & Harrison, W. (2010). In the driver's seat II: Beyond the early driving years (Research Report No. 17). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Presentations

Smart, D., Vassallo, S., Cockfield, S., Gunatillake, T., Harris, A., & Harrison, W. (2010, 15 April). In the driver's seat II: Beyond the early driving years. RACV Club, Melbourne.

Economic Value of Positive Family Functioning

To date, few studies have investigated the social and economic costs associated with certain aspects of family functioning, the costs of child poverty and the intergenerational transmission of disadvantage. To establish the public value of positive family functioning and the economic returns to government on supporting families, Access Economics, in partnership with the Institute, will:

• quantify the economic value of family functioning and the returns to government on its investment in supporting family functioning; and
• assess up to the three family interventions in terms of their cost-effectiveness/costs benefits in supporting family functioning.

Family Attitudes and Values

The aim of this study is to monitor attitudes, values and aspirations relating to family issues. The monitoring of such matters in the general population can improve understanding of family trends, such as patterns of leaving home, partnership formation and marriage, having children, parental employment and family life involvement, relationship breakdown, post-separation parenting and repartnering. Monitoring and understanding of broad trends in family transitions is important for proactive policy development and can help shape the timely development of new research projects.

The Family Attitudes and Values research project commenced with the development of a comprehensive list of relevant measures that have been used in Australia and overseas. This item bank will continue to be updated as a research resource. The second stage of the project will involve a survey of values and attitudes.

Family Law: Evaluation of the Family Relationships Centres' Legal Assistance Partnerships Program

The aim of this project is to evaluate an initiative of the Attorney-General that is aimed at helping separated or separating families by providing access to early and targeted legal information and advice when attending Family Relationship Centres (FRCs). Sixty-four FRCs have entered into arrangements with a range of community-based legal centres that will provide a range of specified legal services to FRC clients. The evaluation design consists of five studies:

• Study 1 - Implementation phases (based on interviews and online survey with managers of FRCs and legal assistance services who are involved in the project);
• Study 2 - FRC Staff Survey (online survey);
• Study 3 - Legal Services Staff Survey (online survey);
• Study 4 - In-depth study of the experiences of staff in FRCs and legal services (based on interviews); and
• Study 5 - In-depth study of the experiences of clients (based on interviews).

The implementation phase is currently underway. The final report will be completed in 2010-11.

Family Law: Experiences of Parents and Children After Family Court Decisions About Relocation

The aim of this project was to explore the impact of court decisions involving relocation disputes on families. In addition to a literature review, it had three main elements:

• a series of one-to-one interviews with 38 mothers and fathers who had litigated disputes over relocation in the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court between 2002 and June 2005;
• an analysis of all Family Court relocation judgements handed down between 2002 and 2004 - access to the judgements was negotiated through the court and they provide benchmark data that will assist in developing understanding of relocation decision-making generally and the impact of the Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 (Cth) in this area; and
• a demographic analysis of relocation in Australia.

The Chief Investigators for this project were Associate Professor Juliet Behrens and Associate Professor Bruce Smyth of the ANU. Dr Rae Kaspiew, AIFS, was a Partner Investigator. The project was completed during 2009-10.

Publications

Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2009). Australian family law court decisions on relocation: Dynamics in parents' relationships over time. Australian Journal of Family Law, 23(3), 222-246.

Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2010). Outcomes in relocation cases: Some new data. Australian Journal of Family Law, 24(1), 97-103.

Horsfall, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2010). Relocation in separated and not-separated families: Equivocal evidence from the social science literature. Australian Journal of Family Law, 24(1), 34-56.

Presentations

Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2009, 4 September). Parents' experiences after family court decisions about relocation: Some key themes. Queensland Family Law Practitioners Association, Family Law Residential, Gold Coast.

Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2009, 13 October). Court decisions about relocation: An empirical study focusing on parents' experiences. ACT Family Pathways Network.

Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2009, 13 November). Australian family law court decisions about relocation: Parents' experiences and some implications for policy. Family Law Council.

Behrens, J., Smyth, B., & Kaspiew, R. (2010, 30 June-2 July). Australian court decisions about relocation: An empirical study including parents' views and experiences. Conference on International Child Abduction, Relocation and Forced Marriage, Centre for Family Law and Practice, London Metropolitan University.

Family Law: Parental Separation Issues

Monitoring and contributing to the debate on family law issues is a core activity for the Institute. Family law research has broadened to include not only marriage and divorce but also parental responsibilities to children, regardless of whether the parents have ever lived together or married.

Aside from major research projects undertaken in the family law field, Institute staff have a substantial presence on editorial and advisory boards for a number of national forums, committees and councils. Knowledge transfer and exchange in the family law field is also facilitated by Institute researchers making presentations at conferences, seminars and forums related to furthering understanding of the effect on families of parental separation.

Presentations

Kaspiew, R., Higgins, D., & Bromfield, L. (2009, 29 November). Watch this space: Policy developments in inter-jurisdictional responses to family violence and child abuse. Family Court of Australia's Registrars' Conference, Melbourne.

Family Law Reform Evaluation (and associated longitudinal research)

In response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Community Affairs Every Picture Tells a Story report (2003), the Australian Government undertook a major reform of the family law system. The new system, which came into effect on 1 July 2006, was intended to: (a) help prevent separation and build strong, healthy family relationships; (b) encourage greater involvement by both parents in their children's lives after separation, and also protect children from violence and abuse; (c) in the case of separation, provide information, advice and dispute resolution services to help parents agree on what is best for their children, rather than contesting parenting proposals in the courtroom; and (d) provide a new entry point that is a doorway to other services that families need, and facilitate access to those services.

The AGD and FaHCSIA had joint responsibility for the implementation and evaluation of the family law reforms. These departments commissioned the Institute to develop an evaluation framework and a broad methodology for the evaluation, collect baseline data against which the collection of future data can be compared, and undertake key components of the evaluation.

Evaluation of the reforms

A document outlining the framework for the evaluation and a draft outline of the broad methodology was prepared in 2006 and early 2007. The research program for the evaluation of the family law reforms comprised three separate projects (each including a number of separate studies) that were designed to measure the impact of the changes in both broad and specific ways. The three projects focused on:

• the implementation of the legislation and the changes to the court system;
• the service provision system; and
• families.

The projects tracked the impact of key themes in the package - the sharing of parenting responsibilities, child safety and child focus - on the practices and attitudes of parents, service system providers and legal system players.

A mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods using multiple data sources was applied across the evaluation. 

Some aspects of the research program were built on baseline research that was conducted by the Institute in order to allow pre- and post-reform package comparisons to be drawn. Others are being conducted on a longitudinal basis, allowing the impact of the reforms to be assessed as they unfold.

A final evaluation report was released on 28 January 2010.

Family Pathways: The Longitudinal Study of Separated Families

Family Pathways: The Longitudinal Study of Separated Families explores questions about separation and caring for children when a relationship ends. In Wave 1, which was conducted between August and October 2008, information was collected from some 10,000 parents who separated after the introduction of the reforms in July 2006. Of these parents, 7,031 were re-interviewed in September-December 2009. This information provides a picture of what life is like for separated parents across a broad range of family arrangements, from shared care time through to one parent never seeing their child. The study is thereby helping to improve understanding of the early and longer term effects of family law policy. Findings from Wave 1 of this study contributed strongly to the Institute's evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms.

A subsequent Research Report (to be submitted to the AGD in 2010-11) will outline findings from both Waves 1 and 2. It will highlight, among other issues, the extent to which parenting arrangements, relationships between parents, and parents' views of their child's wellbeing have changed; family law system pathways adopted in finalising or changing arrangements after Wave 1; and factors linked with any changes in arrangements, relationships and apparent wellbeing.

Family Pathways: The Adolescent Study

Family Pathways: The Adolescent Study focuses on the experiences and opinions of young people whose parents separated after the introduction of the reforms in July 2006. The study complements the longitudinal study by recruiting children of the parents who participated in the first wave of the Longitudinal Study of Separated Families.

Interviews with young people aged 12-18 years were conducted between October and November 2009 and sought to capture young people's views about the changes in their families.

Publications

Kaspiew, R., Gray, M., Weston, R., Moloney, L., Hand, K., Qu, L., & the Family Law Evaluation Team. (2009). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Kaspiew, R., Gray, M., Weston, R., Moloney, L., Hand, K., Qu, L., & the Family Law Evaluation Team. (2010). The Australian Institute of Family Studies' evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms: Key findings. Australian Journal of Family Law, 24(1), 5-33.

Presentations

Gray, M., Kaspiew R., & Moloney, L. (2010, 11 February). Evaluation of the family law reforms: Overview of key findings. Family Law Council, Melbourne.

Hand, K. (2010, 19 April). Evaluation of the family law reforms: An overview. Faculty of Life and Social Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne.

Hayes, A. (2010, 25 February). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms: An overview. Family Law System Reference Group Meeting, Canberra.

Hayes, A., Gray, M., & Kaspiew, R. (2010, 11 March). Evaluation of the family law reforms: Overview of key findings. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Canberra.

Hayes, A., & Moloney, L. (2010, 24 March). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms: Lessons for future service delivery. Family Relationship Services Australia Senior Executives Forum.

Kaspiew, R. (2010, 24 February). Evaluation of the family law reforms: Overview of key findings. Family Law Research Workshop, University of Melbourne Law School.

Kaspiew, R. (2010, 25 February). Evaluation of the family law reforms: Overview of key findings. Victorian Government Statewide Steering Committee on Family Violence, Melbourne.

Kaspiew, R. (2010, 6 May). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms: Key findings on family violence. Responding to Family Violence: National Perspectives, Local Initiatives, Canberra.

Kaspiew, R. (2010, 11 June). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms: Overview of key findings. Lexis-Nexis 7th Annual Family Law Summit, Brisbane.

Moloney, L. (2010, 4 March). "Mandatory" family dispute resolution: What is it? Does it "work"? What do clients and professionals think about it? What of the future? Family Law Conference, Melbourne.

Moloney, L. (2010, 12 April). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms. Victorian Family Law Pathways Network, Melbourne.

Moloney, L. (2010, 10 June). Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms. Family Pathways Networks Forum, Sydney.

Weston, R. (2010, 23 June). AIFS family law evaluation and parents: Child Support liability, compliance and perceived fairness. Child Support Network Stakeholders Engagement Group, Canberra.

Family Law: Understanding Contact Disputes

The aim of this project is to gain insight into the prevalence of parental disputes about contact and the dynamics and trigger events that lead to disputes on contact that escalate into legal conflict. The research design involves:

• a series of focus groups with family law professionals who work with parents in dispute about contact;
• face-to-face interviews with separated parents who have been in dispute about their parenting arrangements; and
• telephone interviews with a national random sample of separated parents.

All sets of data have been collected. Relevant questions were introduced into Wave 3 of the Caring for Children after Parental Separation telephone survey. Analysis has been completed and the final report is in the process of development.

Family Trends and Transitions

The Family Trends and Transitions project analyses and disseminates information on broad trends in patterns of leaving home, couple and family formation, family stability, and family dissolution and re-formation, along with associated values, attitudes and beliefs. As well as providing a better understanding of society's core values, the monitoring and analysis of these trends are important for policy development and for the timely development and design of research projects.

Family-related trends are disseminated through publications and presentations, the online database Family Facts and Figures, media interviews, and the handling of queries from internal and external sources. The updating of the widely used Family Facts and Figures database is an ongoing process. During the reporting period, the Family Facts and Figures section of the website was re-structured to provide better access to the data.

Publications

Gray, M., de Vaus, D., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2010). Divorce and the wellbeing of older Australians (Research Paper No. 46). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Qu, L., Weston, R., & de Vaus, D. (2009). Cohabitation and beyond: The contribution of each partner's relationship satisfaction and fertility aspirations to pathways of cohabiting couples. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 40(4), 585-601.

Qu, L. (2009). Book review: Marriage and Cohabitation, by Arland Thornton, William G. Axinn and Yu Xie. Journal of Population Research, 26(3). 283-284.

Presentations

Baxter, J., Qu., L., & Weston, R. (2009, 27 September-2 October). Family structure, quality of the co-parental relationship, post-separation parenting and children's emotional wellbeing. XXVI International Union for the Scientific Study of Population International Population Conference, Morocco.

de Vaus, D., Gray, M., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2009, July). The effect of relationship breakdown on income and social exclusion. Australian Social Policy Conference: An Inclusive Society? Practicalities and Possibilities, Sydney.

Weston, R., & Qu, L. (2010, 26 March). Demographics of ageing and fertility. Principles of Social Policy course, Australian National University, Canberra.

Giving Voice to Victim/Survivors' Knowledge of Sexual Offending

Giving Voice to Victim/Survivors' Knowledge of Sexual Offending was a qualitative project that explored what victim/survivors could tell us about sexual offending. There is limited knowledge on how offenders of adult sexual assault perpetrate their offences. This project expanded on this knowledge base by speaking with victim/survivors about how the assault occurred and what facilitated the offending.

Between March and July 2009, 33 women were recruited from across Australia. Participants had to be over the age 18 and have sought the services of a sexual assault support service. Interviews were in-depth and semi-structured. The research identified a pattern of measured and purposeful tactics used in many kinds of sexual offending, such as the use of surprise and force, concealment and victim blaming.

Throughout 2009-10, the focus has been on in-depth analysis of the interviews, the development of early themes, stakeholder consultation regarding these themes and drafting the report.

Presentations

Clark, H. (2009, 29 October). What can victim/survivors' voices contribute to our knowledge of sexual offending? Victorian Offender Treatment Association Conference, Melbourne.

Clark, H. (2009, 23 November). Giving voice to victim/survivors' knowledge of sexual offending. 22nd Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference, Perth

Clark, H. (2009, 9 December). Giving voice to victim/survivors' knowledge of sexual offending. Statewide Advisory Committee on the Prevention of Sexual Assault, Melbourne.

Quadara, A. (2009, 30 November-1 December). Giving voice to victim/survivors' knowledge of sexual offending. FaHCSIA Social Policy Workshop, Canberra.

Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) is a major study that is following the development of 10,000 children and families from urban and rural areas of all states and territories of Australia, addressing a range of questions about children's development and wellbeing. The study is conducted in a partnership between FaHCSIA, the Institute and the ABS, with advice provided by a consortium of leading researchers. Information is collected on children's physical health and social, cognitive and emotional development, as well as their experiences in significant environments, such as the family, child care, preschool and primary school and their broader communities. A major aim of the study is to identify policy opportunities for improving supports for children and families and for early intervention and prevention strategies.

Planning for the study commenced in 2002, and in 2004 two cohorts of approximately 5,000 infants aged 0-1 years, and 5,000 children aged 4-5 years, and their parents, were recruited and interviewed. Families have been interviewed every two years thereafter, with information being collected from resident and non-resident parents, teachers, child care providers, and the children themselves. In addition, three between-waves mail surveys were undertaken in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

A major advance for the study was reached when the Australian Government made this study an ongoing project. Funding has been allocated and planning is underway for the next four waves (Waves 5 to 8), taking the study to 2019. These eight waves will provide data on children's development from infancy through to the threshold of adulthood.

Data collection

During 2008-09, the Wave 3 data collection was completed, with 8,718 interviews conducted. This represents approximately 86% of the original sample and 94% of the families who participated in Wave 2. Data from this wave were released in August 2009.

The Wave 3.5 mail-out survey took place in 2009, with 5,984 surveys returned. This represents 64% of the original sample. The Wave 3.5 data was released in April 2010. This short survey focused on children's use of media and technology, health, transition to schools for the younger cohort, and parental involvement in learning for the older cohort.

The main data collection commenced in March 2010 and will continue throughout 2010. Several significant methodology changes have occurred in Wave 4. While the primary data collection method of a face-to-face interview with the child's main parent has continued, other data collection methods (such as computer-assisted self-interviews for the primary parental carer and older study children) are being introduced to improve data quality and response rates, and ensure that time spent with families is used efficiently and effectively.

Wave 5 development

Development of the Wave 5 data collection interviews and measures has commenced and was a major activity in the second half of 2009-10. The development of the Wave 5 is due to be completed in late 2010.

Life at 5 documentary

The third round of the Life At series - Life At 5 - is due to be screened in early 2011. The Institute has contributed to this series, produced by Screen Australia in conjunction with Heiress Films, which draws upon the methodology and findings of LSAC. Eleven children and their families are being followed over time, with coverage of the children's behaviour and milestones and the impact of factors such as parents' relationships, finances, work and health. Institute researchers have undertaken interviews with participating parents and assessments of the children, as well as statistical analyses of the LSAC dataset for use in the series.

2nd LSAC Research Conference

The 2nd LSAC Research Conference was held on 3-4 December 2009, in Melbourne. A capacity crowd of around 185 professionals from a range of disciplines attended the conference, sharing knowledge about the use of LSAC data in research and policy formation, and exploring the research potential of the dataset. Keynote presenters for 2009 conference, Professors Andrew Leigh (ANU) and Ann Sanson (University of Melbourne), were joined by leading researchers from Australia and abroad to present their work relating to child development and family wellbeing.

Over 40 papers were presented by leading child development, health and family wellbeing researchers addressing a diverse range of topics, including child health, disadvantage, education, work and family balance, time use, language acquisition, family factors in child development, and advances in longitudinal methodology. FaHCSIA provided the Institute with funding for holding the 2nd LSAC Research Conference.

Dissemination and promotion of LSAC

The LSAC data have been extensively used for major research projects, including the Institute's Evaluation of the Family Law Reforms and the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into Paid Parental Leave. There are 258 data users and 618 subscribers to the growingup-refgroup emailing list that provides study updates and information about new publications (this is a 42% increase from June 2009). The dissemination and promotion of LSAC has continued, with several other papers and reports being published, and papers being presented at national and international forums. A draft of the first LSAC Annual Statistical Report is complete and is scheduled for release in late 2010. A draft of the LSAC Research Report No. 1 on fathering is also complete and due for release in the second half of 2010.

Publications

Baxter, J., Gray, M., & Hayes, A. (2009). Diverse families making a difference (Facts Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Baxter, J., Cooklin, A. R., & Smith, J. (2009). Which mothers wean their babies prematurely from full breastfeeding? An Australian cohort study. Acta Paediatrica, 98(8), 1274-1277.

Edwards, B., Baxter, J., Smart, D., Sanson, A., & Hayes, A. (2009). Financial disadvantage and children's school readiness. Family Matters, 83, 23-31.

Gray, M., & Smart, D. (2009). The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children: A valuable new data source for economists. Australian Economic Review, 42(3), 367-376.

Other publications

Growing Up in Australia Newsletter (online) No. 24, Winter 2009

Growing Up in Australia Newsletter (online) No. 25, Spring 2009

Growing Up in Australia Newsletter (online) No. 26, Summer 2010

Study Update, June 2009

2010 calendar

LSAC Annual Report 2009-10

Growing Up in Australia Newsletter, December 2009

Hello From Growing Up in Australia (for study children 6-7 years), December 2009

Hello From Growing Up in Australia (for study children 10-11 years), December 2009

Study Update, March 2010

Presentations

Baxter, J., & Smith, J. (2009, 3-4 December). Breastfeeding and infant time use. 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Edwards, B., Fiorini, M., & Taylor, M. (2009, 8-10 July). Does it matter at what age children start school in Australia? Investigating the effects of school starting age on six-year old children's outcomes. 11th Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney.

Katz, I., Redmond, G., & Smart, D. (2009, 3-4 December). Inter-generational mobility in Australia. How do vulnerable kids fare? 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Sanson, A., Smart, D., Baxter, J., Edwards, B., & Hayes, A. (2009, 6-8 July). Home to school transitions for financially disadvantaged children: Findings from LSAC Waves 1 and 2. 16th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Human Development Association, Adelaide.

Smart, D., Sanson, A., Baxter, J., Edwards, B., & Hayes A. (2009, 8 July). Home to school transitions for financially disadvantaged children: Findings from Growing up in Australia, the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney.

Sanson, A., Smart, D., & Misson, S. (2009, 3-4 December). Children's physical, cognitive and socio-emotional outcomes: Do they share the same drivers? Keynote address, 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Smart, D. (2009, 2 July). Home to school transitions for financially disadvantaged children: Findings from Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. AIFS Seminar Series, Melbourne.

Smart, D., Sanson, A. V., Baxter, J., Edwards, B., & Hayes, A. (2009, 8-10 July). Home to school transitions for financially disadvantaged children. Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney.

Smart, D., Sanson, A. V., Baxter, J., Edwards, B., & Hayes , A. (2009, 3-4 December). The school progress of children from financially disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged families. 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Soloff, C. (2009, 6-8 July). Growing up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children: Study overview. 16th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Human Development Association, Adelaide.

Taylor, M., Fiorini, M., & Edwards, B. (2009, 3-4 December). Does it matter at what age children start school in Australia? Investigating school starting age and six-year old children's outcomes. 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Taylor, M., & Gray, M. (2009, 3-4 December). The impact of child support payments on the labour supply decisions of resident mothers. 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Keep Them Safe

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet commissioned the Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales, and the Australian Institute of Family Studies to develop an overall evaluation framework for the Keep Them Safe Action Plan (2009-14). Keep Them Safe was developed in response to Justice Wood's 2008 report at the conclusion of the Special Commission Inquiry into Child Protection in NSW. It is the government response to Justice Wood's inquiry, which reported some critical issues for reforming the child protection system. Wood's report was underpinned by the principle that child protection is a whole-of-government responsibility and should be addressed through a public health model of services, providing universal entry points and multiple pathways for referral. These proposed reforms intend to improve child protection support by intervening early with children and families rather than have statutory intervention as the first point of contact.

The evaluation framework was designed to establish consistent reporting requirements from key components of the action plan in order to assess the extent to which the plan has met its objectives of improving the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children in NSW, why aspects of the reform have been successful or not, and processes for using the evaluation outcomes to adjust future approaches based on progressive evaluation findings.

Labour Market and Financial Consequences of Divorce for Families

This research explores the labour and financial consequences of divorce and repartnering for families. Work has been undertaken regarding the consequences of divorce for families with young children using the first two waves of data from LSAC. Understanding the labour market and financial consequences of relationship breakdown for families with young children is particularly important, given the importance of the early years for children. The research highlights the importance of understanding the interactions between relationship dynamics and labour market participation.

Publications

Gray, M., de Vaus, D., Qu, L., & Stanton, D. (2010). Divorce and the wellbeing of older Australians (Research Paper No. 46). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Labour Market Issues for Families

This is an ongoing project that encompasses research on a range of work-family related topics. Recent and ongoing projects include analyses of employment transitions of lone and couple mothers, undertaken to explore whether barriers to job entry or job retention are greater for lone rather than couple mothers. The Institute has also conducted work on the impact of recessions on families, particularly those with dependent children. This work, which has been published in Family Matters, was conducted in response to the global recession.

Continuing research includes an examination of issues of labour market participation of parents with young children and the arrangements that are made for caring for children. Another project takes an international perspective, examining the range of work-family policies that other countries have implemented. This work is being finalised for publication.

Publications

Baxter, J. (2009). Mothers' timing of return to work by leave use and pre-birth job characteristics. Journal of Family Studies, 15(2) 153-166.

Gray, M., Edwards, B., Hayes, A., & Baxter, J. (2009). The impacts of recessions on families. Family Matters, 83, 7-14.

Presentations

Baxter, J., Renda, J., & Gray, M. (2009, 8-10 July). International work-family policies: What do they mean for Australia? Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney.

Renda, J., & Baxter, J. (2009, 16-17 July). Stability of lone mothers' employment: Using HILDA calendar data to examine work transitions. HILDA Survey Research Conference, Melbourne.

Negotiating the Life Course

Negotiating the Life Course is a longitudinal survey undertaken by the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute and the School of Social Science, University of Queensland. AIFS also contributes through the involvement of a senior research staff member as Partner Investigator to the project.

The study tracks the changing life courses and decision-making processes of Australian men and women as families and society move from male breadwinner orientation towards higher levels of gender equity.

In addition, AIFS is using the Negotiating the Life Course data to examine women's labour market participation by life-cycle stage across different birth cohorts.

Neighbourhoods, Economic Disadvantage and Child Wellbeing

The Neighbourhood Effects on Children's Wellbeing project aims to: provide evidence about the impact of neighbourhoods on children and their parents; explore the impact of neighbourhood disadvantage on children; and research risk and protective factors. The project provides information about locational disadvantage. Using data from LSAC, the project analyses the impact of neighbourhoods on children and their parents.

Further research will explore how parental factors such as mental health and parenting mediate the effects of neighbourhood on children's social and emotional outcomes.

The Institute has also been contracted to undertake research on the impact of area level unemployment on children's development in New South Wales for the Benevolent Society. This project also utilises LSAC.

The Benevolent Society has been presented with a draft report titled: Unemployment, Area Level Unemployment and the Wellbeing of Children Aged 5-10 Years.

Publications

Edwards, B., & Bromfield, L. M., (2009). Neighbourhood influences on young children's emotional and behavioral problems. Family Matters, 84, 7-19.

New Investigators Network

The ARACY New Investigators Network (NIN) was established in February 2008 to support and mentor a network of early career researchers. Three AIFS staff were successful in gaining a place in the NIN, and participated in a series of professional development workshops throughout 2008 and 2009. The Director of AIFS also undertook a mentoring role to the NIN.

An objective of the NIN was for participants to establish collaborative research projects on topics related to children's wellbeing. AIFS staff are contributing to two different research projects as a result, and these projects are ongoing. These projects make use of LSAC.

One project involves two AIFS staff, along with colleagues from UTS and is examining the causal effect of primary school entry policies on the cognitive and behavioural development of Australian children, and parental decisions regarding the timing of their child's entry to primary school.

The second project involves one AIFS staff member, along with a colleague from the McCaughey Centre and Onemda Koori Health Research Unit in the Melbourne School of Population Health and another colleague from the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. This project is exploring differences in children's outcomes and family circumstances according to the cultural and ethnic diversity of families.

Presentations

Taylor, M., Fiorini, M., & Edwards, B. (2009, 8 July). Does it matter at what age children start school in Australia? Investigating the effects of school starting age on children's outcomes. Australian Social Policy Conference, Sydney.

Taylor, M., Fiorini, M., & Edwards, B. (2009, 7 August). Does it matter what age children start school in Australia? Investigating the effects of school starting age on children's outcomes. Labour Econometrics Workshop, Queensland University of Technology.

Taylor, M., Fiorini, M., & Edwards, B. (2009, 3 September). Does it matter what age children start school in Australia? Psychology, economics and policy. Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth Conference, Melbourne.

Taylor, M., Fiorini, M., & Edwards, B. (2009, 3 December). Does it matter at what age children start school in Australia? Investigating school starting age and six-year children's outcomes. 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Northern Territory Inquiry into Child Protection

The Northern Territory Board of Inquiry, through the Northern Territory Government, commissioned the Institute to provide background research on child protection intake, investigation and assessment to inform the current Inquiry into Child Protection in the Northern Territory. Drawing on the expertise of staff from the NCPC, the purpose of the Institute's involvement was to provide research evidence to inform the deliberations of the Board of Inquiry.

Past Adoption Practices: Summary of Key Issues From Australian Research

This project comprised a review of existing research literature about past adoption practices in Australia. The report was commissioned by FaHCSIA to understand the quality of research available about past adoption practices, and to assess the adequacy of research as an evidence base for policy and service development. Although there is a wealth of primary material, there has been little systematic research on the experience of past adoption practices in Australia.

The review found that relinquishing a child to adoption has the potential for lifelong consequences for the lives of these women and their children, as well as others.

As part of the project, AIFS consulted with stakeholders to identify relevant research literature to include in the review, and then conducted a structured review that classified the literature and critiqued the strengths and weaknesses of different types of information. A draft report was submitted in February 2010, with a final report submitted in March 2010.

On 4 June 2010, the Community and Disability Services Ministers' Conference announced that Ministers had agreed to a joint national research study into past adoption practices, to be conducted by AIFS. The focus of this study will be on understanding current needs and information to support improved service responses.

Publications

Higgins, D. (2009). Impact of past adoption practices: Summary of key issues from Australian research. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Rural and Regional Families: The Impact of Drought and Economic and Social Change

In August 2007, the Institute commenced a major study into the impact of drought and economic and social change on the wellbeing of families and communities in regional and rural Australia, an issue on which there has been very little large-scale work. Understanding the impact of drought on families and communities is likely to become increasingly important if the climate change predictions are correct that much of Australia will experience more frequent and severe droughts in the future.

The goal of the project was to provide the Australian Government and general community with current information and expert analysis about the economic and social impacts of drought on families in regional and rural Australia. It addressed the effect of drought on families' financial situations, standards of living, relationships, wellbeing, migration patterns, service availability, social capital and community cohesion.

The study involved interviews with about 8,000 people living in rural and regional areas, including more than 1,300 farmers, 1,000 others employed in agricultural industries, 3,000 employed in non-agricultural industries, and more than 2,500 people who were not employed. It explored the extent to which drought affects communities beyond farmers and those directly employed in agriculture or related industries.

The research resulting from this project was used extensively by the Productivity Commission in its report on Drought Support Policy and the report of the Expert Panel on the Social Impacts of Drought. Analysis of data from the survey is continuing.

Presentations

Edwards, B., Gray, M., & Hunter, B. (2009, 10 July). The impact of drought on mental health and alcohol use. Australian Social Policy Conference: An Inclusive Society? Practicalities and Possibilities, Sydney.

Rural and Remote Carers in Australia

The Institute has been contracted by Carers Australia to undertake research on carers living in rural and remote areas of Australia. Not much is known about carers in rural and remote areas of Australia. The research helped to address the gap in our understanding and provided evidence for decisions about policies and practice to better meet the needs of carers in rural Australia. The report focused on three issues:

• the geography of caring - information about the number and demographic characteristics of carers in rural and remote areas of Australia;
• the impact of living in rural and remote areas - focusing on accessing support and information, health and wellbeing, finances, employment and how care is provided; and
• the impact of drought on carers - whether drought widens social inequalities and particularly affects carers, who may have fewer financial resources than other groups.

The report was launched during Carers Week.

Publications

Edwards, B., Gray, M., Baxter, J., & Hunter, B. H. (2009). The tyranny of distance? Carers in regional and remote areas of Australia. Canberra: Carers Australia.

Sexual Assault Workforce Development Project

The Centres Against Sexual Assault (CASA) Forum, along with RMIT University and ACSSA, have partnered to implement the Statewide Workforce Development Project, funded by the Department of Human Services Victoria. The project is a three-year initiative to support the training of sexual assault workers in their counselling and education work. The CASA Forum is the lead agency and RMIT evaluates the training. ACSSA provides research support and expertise to inform the training and education programs developed. Research is being provided in the form of briefings; three briefings have been provided so far. ACSSA is also a member of the reference group and provides other support to achieve project goals.

Publications

Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault. (2010). Male victims of sexual assault (Research Brief). Melbourne: ACSSA.

Street Stories: The Life around Here Community Study and Documentary

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) commissioned the Institute to undertake Street Stories: The Life Around Here Community Study and Documentary.

The Life Around Here project aims to develop a picture of the lives of families living in three areas identified as experiencing economic and social disadvantage, exploring how families living in these areas interact with their community, and the impact of where they live on their engagement with the labour market.

The project involves a research study with families living within the three areas, and a documentary with families.

The research report and documentary produced as part of the Street Stories project will assist with the development of programs that effectively address area-based disadvantage, by adding to the understanding of factors leading to concentrations of joblessness and other forms of disadvantage.

Time Use in Families

The AIFS Time Use in Families project was initiated in 2007 to explore adults' and children's time use to better understand those factors that contribute to family members' wellbeing through the ways in which they spend their time. It includes analyses of interactions between work and family.

Several ongoing research streams are aligned to this project, including analysis of parental time with children and infants' time use, and also adults' time use and experience of time pressure. The project leverages existing data sources, including data from LSAC and ABS time use data.

Publications

Baxter, J. (2009). Family statistics and trends: The sources of time pressure: Work, family and more. Family Relationships Quarterly Newsletter, 13, 21-23.

Baxter, J. (2009). Parental time with children: Do job characteristics make a difference? (Research Paper No. 44). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Baxter, J. (2010). An exploration of the timing and nature of parental time with 4-5 year olds using Australian children's time use data (Research Paper No. 45). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Presentations

Baxter, J. (2009, 23-25 September). Breastfeeding and infants' time use. Poster presentation at the 31st Conference of the International Association of Time Use Research, Lueneburg, Germany.

Baxter, J. (2009, 23-25 September). Too much spare time? 31st Conference of the International Association of Time Use Research, Lueneburg, Germany.

Baxter, J. (2009, 3-4 December). The time use of infants: Are the days of breastfed infants different to not-breastfed infants? 2nd LSAC Research Conference, Melbourne.

Soloff, C. (2009, 23-25 September). LSAC computer-assisted child diary. Poster presentation at the 31st Conference of the International Association of Time Use Research, Lueneburg, Germany.

Soloff, C., & Baxter, J. (2009, 23-25 September). LSAC parent-complete diaries for children's activities. Poster presentation at the 31st Conference of the International Association of Time Use Research, Lueneburg, Germany.

Working with Vulnerable Children and Their Families

The Victorian Government Department of Human Services (DHS) commissioned the Institute to produce a series of evidence-informed Specialist Practice Resources for practitioners working in family services, child protection and out-of-home care in Victoria. Specialist Practice Resources provide specialist guidance and advice on specific issues or client groups (e.g., cumulative harm, neglect, permanency planning, young people with sexually abusive behaviours, infants at high risk of harm).

Seven Specialist Practice Resources have now been developed, and are being edited and typeset ready for publication by DHS:

• Cumulative Harm (2nd edition);
• Working with Infants and Their Families;
• Working With Adolescents and Their Families;
• Children Under 10 with Problem Sexual Behaviours;
• Young People Aged 10-14 With Sexually Abusive Behaviours;
• Assessing Parental Capacity for Parents With Multiple and Complex Problems; and
• Families in Which an Adult is Abusive.

Two further resources are currently being drafted:

• Working With Children and Their Families; and
• Stability in Care.

The Benevolent Society in New South Wales commissioned the Institute to produce two Practice Guides for practitioners in child and family services. Practice Guides provide specialist guidance and advice on specific issues or client groups (e.g., cumulative harm, neglect, permanency planning, young people with sexually abusive behaviours, infants at high risk of harm). The Benevolent Society Practice Guides are adaptations of two of the Specialist Practice Resources developed for the Victorian Government, tailored to suit the Benevolent Society practice context. Two Practice Guides were drafted during the financial year:

• Cumulative Harm; and
• Infants at Risk of Abuse and Neglect.

Presentations

Bromfield, L. M. (2009, 7 July). Recognising cumulative harm in Australian child protection policy and practice: Progress to date. Australasian Human Development Association Conference, Adelaide.

Bromfield, L. M. (2009, 8 July). Recognising cumulative harm in Australian child protection policy and practice: Progress to date. Families SA, Adelaide.

Bromfield, L. M. (2009, November). Cumulative harm workshop: The effects of chronic child maltreatment. WA Department for Child Protection, Perth.

Bromfield, L. M. (2010, February). Cumulative harm: The effects of chronic child maltreatment. Tasmanian Magistrates Conference, Hobart.

Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault

The Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault (ACSSA) is the national centre for the collection and dissemination of current information and research on sexual assault. The aim of the clearinghouse is to assist service providers, policy-makers and others working in the field to improve responses to and ultimately reduce the incidence of sexual assault.

The clearinghouse provides evidence about all forms of sexual assault, with a focus on the sexual assault of women and girls over 15 years of age and adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

The main functions of the centre are to: facilitate access to national policy-relevant data; establish a comprehensive evidence base and provide information and advice on research and best practice approaches for interventions in response to sexual assault; stimulate debate among policy-makers, academics and service providers about the most effective strategies to prevent, respond to and reduce the incidence of sexual assault; and raise awareness of sexual assault and its impact on the Australian community.

Notes:    ^a The ACSSA print publication mail list was refreshed in the final quarter of 2009-10, with the number of subscribers expected to be lower in 2010-11 due to the removal of duplicate records and an emphasis on electronic communication and use of centralised distribution points within key organisations. ^b Items include books, reports, articles, conference papers and audiovisual material.

Publications

Aware newsletter

ACSSA Aware No. 22

ACSSA Aware No. 23

ACSSA Aware No. 24

ACSSA Wrap

Morrison, Z. (2009). Homelessness and sexual assault (ACSSA Wrap No. 7). Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault.

Issues paper

Carmody, M. (2009). Conceptualising the prevention of sexual assault and the role of education (ACSSA Issues No. 10). Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault.

Evans, S., Krogh, C., & Carmody, M. (2009). "Time to get cracking": The challenge of developing best practice in Australian sexual assault prevention education (ACSSA Issues No. 11). Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault.

Presentations

Clark, H. (2009, 8 December). Practice profile databases and the evidence base. ACSSA Evaluation Forum, Melbourne.

Clark, H., & King, R. (2009, 23 November). Justice and system responses to sexual assault. Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Conference, Perth.

Parkinson, D. (2010, 12 May). Sexual assault service providers and the law: Supporting victims through the legal process. Upper Murray Centre Against Sexual Assault, Wangaratta.

Quadara, A. (2009, 8 September). Victim-centred care: Tensions, challenges, possibilities. Australasian Sexual Health Conference, Brisbane.

Quadara, A. (2009, 27 November). Under the influence: Alcohol and sexual assault. Dangerous consumptions VII, Melbourne.

Quadara, A. (2009, 8 December). The importance of evaluation for sexual assault services. ACSSA Evaluation Forum, Melbourne.

Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse

The Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse (AFRC) aims to improve the wellbeing of families and children by supporting practitioners, service providers and policy-makers in the development and delivery of family relationship programs, ranging from prevention and early intervention through to post-separation services.

Guided by an external reference group, the clearinghouse is an information and advisory unit that contributes to the goals of the Family Support Program by collecting and disseminating the latest relevant research and practice via publications and a website. The clearinghouse also functions as a resource and point of contact for providers of family relationship and support services. Policy-makers and members of the research and broader communities benefit from access to the latest developments in practice- and policy-related research through the AFRC website and publications.

Publications

Family Relationships Quarterly

Family Relationships Quarterly No. 13 (September 2009)

Family Relationships Quarterly No. 14 (December 2009)

Family Relationships Quarterly No. 15 (March 2010)

Family Relationships Quarterly No. 16 (June 2010)

AFRC Briefing

Caruana, C., & Parker, R. (2009). Embedding research in practice: Research within Family Relationship Centres in Australia (AFRC Briefing No. 14). Melbourne: Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse.

Robinson, E. (2009). Online counselling, therapy and dispute resolution: Research review and application to family relationships (AFRC Briefing No. 15). Melbourne: Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse.

Robinson, E., Power, L., & Allan, D. (2010). What works with adolescents? Family connections and involvement in interventions for adolescent problem behaviours (AFRC Briefing No. 16). Melbourne: Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse.

AFRC Issues

Cortis, N., Chan, S., & Hilferty, F. (2009). Workforce issues, models and responses across the family relationship services sector (AFRC Issues No. 5). Melbourne: Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse.

AFRC Resource Sheets

Cortis, N., Chan, S., & Hilferty, F. (2009). Workforce issues, models and responses across the family relationship services sector (AFRC Resource Sheet No. 5). Melbourne: Australian Family Relationships Clearinghouse.

Presentations

Parker, R. (2009, August). Information sources about Australian families. John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne.

Parker, R. (2009, 28 August). Strengthening & repairing relationships: Sacrifice & forgiveness. Marriage and Relationship Educators National Conference, Melbourne.

Parker, R. (2009, November). Building evidence-informed practice: A beginner's guide to evaluation. Family Relationship Services Australia Conference, Sydney.

Robinson, E. (2009, 26 August). Issues pertinent to the health and wellbeing of families. National Employment Services Australia Conference, Sydney.

Robinson, E. (2009, November). Embedding research in practice: Research within Family Relationship Centres in Australia. Family Relationship Services Australia Conference, Sydney.

Robinson, E. (2009, November). Family relationships and mental illness: Impacts and service responses. Family Relationship Services Australia Conference, Sydney.

Robinson, E. (2010, May). The importance of families for young people. National Council of Women of Australia Forum, Melbourne.

Robinson, E. (2010, June). AFRC overview (including what's new and coming soon). Family Law Pathways Networks Forum, Sydney.

Robinson, E., Power, L., & Allan, D. (2010, May). What works with adolescents? Family connections and involvement in interventions. Strategic Community Conversations, Centrelink Box Hill, Melbourne.

Closing the Gap Clearinghouse

Clearinghouse overview

The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse is delivered through a collaboration with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the lead agency. The aim of the clearinghouse is to support policy-makers and service providers by delivering a central online source of evidence-based resources on programs, strategies and activities that work to overcome disadvantage for Indigenous Australians. The principal stakeholders are Commonwealth, State and Territory departments with responsibility for implementing actions under the Closing the Gap agenda. Clearinghouse resources will also be helpful to Indigenous communities, academic researchers, other research clearinghouses and the general public. The following describes the clearinghouse as a whole, including the activities undertaken specifically by the Institute.

Electronic resources

Website

Live since October 2009, the Closing the Gap Clearinghouse website <www.aihw.gov.au/closingthegap> is the primary mechanism for disseminating research and information relevant to overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians. The website is hosted by the AIHW, with content contributions from AIFS.

Electronic newsletter

An electronic newsletter (Closing the Gap e-News) notifies subscribers about the clearinghouse's activities, such as the commissioning of Issues Papers and Resource Sheets. As of 30 June 2010, there were 1,182 subscribers to the newsletter.

Library-related services

Online collections

The clearinghouse collates research, literature and other information resources relevant to seven building blocks identified by the Council of Australian Governments to underpin the Closing the Gap agenda. These resources fall into one of two collections: the General Collection and an Assessed Collection.

Resources in the General Collection are broadly related to the COAG building blocks and targets. The Assessed Collection is a compilation of research items that meet specific criteria (i.e., evaluation research, cost-effectiveness research, research on adapting non-Indigenous specific programs to Indigenous populations, and programs for responding to traumatised individuals and communities). Subject matter experts are engaged to assess the research evidence presented in the identified items.

The clearinghouse website includes an online register for research and evaluations in progress or completed (within the last three years).

Publications

The clearinghouse will produce a range of regular publications that will be published by AIHW on the website to support evidence-informed policy decisions and service provision:

• Resource Sheets are concise summaries of evidence-informed programs, strategies and principles for addressing a specific issue relevant to overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians.
• Issues Papers are comprehensive reviews of a large body of research that describe the strength of the evidence relating to how an area of disadvantage for Indigenous Australians can be addressed.

Outreach, networking and advice

The clearinghouse undertakes outreach and networking and provides advice, the responsibility for which is shared between the AIHW and AIFS. These include:

• jurisdictional visits to key policy agencies in the Australian, State and Territory governments;
• attendance at conferences and the distribution/display of promotional material; and
• provision of a helpdesk to respond to telephone or email enquiries from policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and other professionals.

Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia

Since mid-2009, the primary aim of CAFCA has shifted from supporting the evaluation of the former Stronger Families and Communities Strategy to the broader aim of facilitating the use of research among Australian policy-makers and practitioners whose work relates to children (0-12 years) and families in disadvantaged communities. A number of publications were prepared during the reporting period for release in 2010-11.

The two key functions of CAFCA during this reporting period were to (a) continue to develop the clearinghouse website and resources, including new services such as library membership; and (b) make the necessary changes to align with the Commonwealth Government's new Family Support Program (launched in February 2009).

Publications

Tehan, B., & McDonald, M. (2010). Communities and Families Clearinghouse Australia. Family Matters, 84, 89-91.

Presentations

McDonald, M., & Parker, R. (2010, 22 February). Learning from Promising Practice Profiles: Building practice based evidence through the evaluation of parenting and early childhood intervention programs. Melbourne.

National Child Protection Clearinghouse

The National Child Protection Clearinghouse is a research and information advisory unit focused on child abuse prevention, child protection and out-of-home care. The clearinghouse aims to resource and support the child and family welfare sector to make evidence-informed policy and practice decisions. It collects, produces and distributes information and resources, conducts research, and offers specialist advice on the latest developments in child abuse prevention, child protection and out-of-home care. The clearinghouse receives regular requests for information from policy-makers within the Australian and State and Territory governments, a strong indication of its significance within the field.

The clearinghouse is funded by FaHCSIA, as part of the Australian Government's response to the problem of child abuse and neglect.

Note: ^a Items include books, reports, articles, conference papers and audiovisual material.

Publications

NCPC Issues

Lamont, A., & Bromfield, L. (2009). Parental intellectual disability and child protection: Key issues. (NCPC Issues No. 31). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Jordan, B., & Sketchley, R. (2009) A stitch in time saves nine: Preventing and responding to the abuse and neglect of infants (Child Abuse Prevention Issues No. 30). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

NCPC Resource Sheets

Berlyn, C., & Bromfield, L. (2010, June update). Child protection and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Berlyn, C., Holzer, P., & Higgins, D. (2010, February update). Pre-employment screening: Working with children checks and police checks (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Bromfield, L., & Horsfall, B. (2010, June update). Child abuse and neglect statistics (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Bromfield, L., Holzer, P., & Lamont. A. (2009, September update). The economic costs of child abuse and neglect (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Bromfield L., Holzer, P., & Lamont, A. (2010, June update). Economic costs of child abuse and neglect (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Holzer, P., & Lamont, A. (2009). Australian child protection legislation (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Holzer, P., & Lamont, A. (2010). Corporal punishment: Key issues (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Horsfall, B. (2010). Images of children and young people online (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Irenyi, M., & Horsfall, B. (2009, August update). Fatal child abuse (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Lamont, A. (2009). Age of consent laws (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Lamont, A. (2009, November update). Evaluating child abuse and neglect intervention programs (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Lamont, A. (2010). Effects of child abuse and neglect for adult survivors (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Lamont, A. (2010). Effects of child abuse and neglect for children and adolescents (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Lamont, A., & Holzer, P. (2009). Children's commissioners and guardians (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Price-Robertson, R., & Bromfield, L. (2009, November update). What is child abuse and neglect? (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Price-Robertson, R., Bromfield, L., & Vassallo, S. (2010). The prevalence of child abuse and neglect (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Richardson, N., Irenyi, M., & Horsfall, B. (2010, June update). Children in care (NCPC Resource Sheet). Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Electronic newsletter

11 editions of NCPC-alert (formerly What's New in Child Protection)

Presentations

Bromfield, L. (2009, 19 November). Challenges, opportunities and the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children. Children's Youth and Family Agencies Association, Perth.

Bromfield, L. (2009, 3 December). Cumulative harm: Recognising the effects of chronic child maltreatment. Workshop. ACT Department of Children, Youth and Family Services, Canberra.

Bromfield, L. (2010, 4 June). Domestic violence and assessing risk to children. Mothers, Children and Change: Strengthening Service Support and Safety Forum, Sydney.

Hayes, A. (2009, 8 September). Child abuse and neglect in Australia: Impacts, risks and responses. NAPCAN Event for National Child Protection Week, Canberra.

Higgins, D. J., & Kaspiew, R. (2009, 26-29 November). "Mind the Gap ...": Evaluation of Magellan and its role in protecting children in family law cases. Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law Congress, Fremantle.

Kaspiew, R., Bromfield, L., & Higgins, D. (2009, 26 November). Watch this space: Policy developments in inter-jurisdictional responses to family violence and child abuse. Family Court of Australia Registrars Conference, Melbourne.

Price-Robertson, R., Smart, D., Bromfield, L. M., & Vassallo, S. (2009, 15-18 November). Comparing impacts of positive parent-child relationships and maltreatment on psychosocial outcomes. Asia-Pacific Child Abuse and Neglect Conference (incorporating the 12th Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect), Perth.