The Institute of Child Protection Studies aims to enhance outcomes for children, young people and families through quality research, evaluation, training and community education. Our research strengths include promoting children's participation, strengthening service systems and informing practice, and supporting child-safe communities.
As part of the Australian Catholic University, we are deeply committed to progressing the common good, in fighting injustice and helping to resolve challenges confronting those at the edges of society. We do this by strengthening the capacity of families, communities, and workforces to prevent child maltreatment. These are some of the ways we achieve these objectives:
Our research has explored a range of issues affecting children, young people and families; such as child protection and statutory systems and processes (including contact for children in care), child protection interventions during pregnancy and infancy, safety within institutions, homelessness, substance use and other risk factors, families from refugee backgrounds, young carers and youth detention. Our research includes empirical research funded by Category 1 Competitive Research Grants from the Australian Research Council, as well as commercial funding opportunities.
We have expertise in mixed-methods research, including quantitative and qualitative research, randomised controlled trials and comparative studies. In addition, we also support organisations and sectors to develop and implement evaluation frameworks, to better monitor and improve outcomes for communities.We are committed to collaborative approaches to translating knowledge into policy and practice, enabled through partnerships with government, non-government and community organisations.
We have strong relationships with researchers, policy makers in government, organisational leaders and community partners. They complement our research expertise as key research and project partners. The majority of our work is conducted collaboratively and often involves co-design with the end-users of a project. Our partnerships and alliances enable us to apply our research, influence practice, and drive policy that achieves positive social change, and improve outcomes for children, young people and families.Our academic and professional staff have backgrounds in social work, youth work, anthropology, psychology, public health and related fields. They have expertise in using a wide range of research methods to engage with children, young people, families and other population groups, on issues that affect them.
ICPS is a nationally recognised centre of research excellence in the area of child, youth and family welfare. Established in 2005, we commenced as a partnership between the ACU and ACT Community Services Directorate. We have offices in Melbourne and Canberra, and conduct research across Australia and with international partners.
Through our research, evaluation and community engagement activities, we take active steps to influence policy and practice. This is driven by our mission to achieve positive social change, enhancement of the common good, and improved outcomes for children, young people and families.
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