Sowing the seeds of innovation: Ideas for child and family services
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June 2006
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Abstract
In child and family services in Australia and elsewhere there is a range of promising approaches emerging in response to problems such as child abuse and neglect. However, little is known about how and why some innovations spread from one context to another and others do not. This paper draws upon the 'diffusion of innovation' literature to highlight the complex interplay of the innovation, the individual, the organisation and the wider environment on the spread of innovative policies, programs and practice.
In child and family services in Australia and elsewhere there is a range of promising approaches emerging in response to problems such as child abuse and neglect. However, little is known about how and why some innovations spread from one context to another and others do not. This paper draws upon the 'diffusion of innovation' literature to highlight the complex interplay of the innovation, the individual, the organisation and the wider environment on the spread of innovative policies, programs and practice.