We are delighted to invite you to our Listening, Learning, Leading conference and day of practice workshops on 18 and 19 November to celebrate 20 years of research and collaboration between the ACT’s Health Community Services Directorate and ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies.

Join us to celebrate the achievements of this long-time collaboration, to learn about new research that will shape our work in the years to come, and to hear from experienced practitioners about what works to support the lives of children, young people and families. There will also be lots of opportunities to share your experiences and to meet up with fellow practitioners. 

You can attend both days or just one day – either is fine.

Theme

Listening, learning, leading: Using evidence to inform best practice with children, young people and families in the ACT Conference

Day 1 Conference, 18 November 2025

A day of keynote addresses, research presentations and a panel discussion from experts across Australia. This day will focus on bringing the research evidence together to inform and support cross sector practice and conversations with children, young people and families. See full program and speakers below.

Day 2 Practice Workshops, 19 November 2025

Choose from a range of 4 workshops that will support knowledge acquisition and skill development in engaging with children, young people and families. These sessions will focus on key practice areas including family violence, neurodiversity in the youth justice space and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. You can attend one in the morning and one in the afternoon. See workshop options and speakers below.

Venue

The two days will be held at Australian Catholic University, Canberra Campus Veritas Centre. You can attend both days or just one day – either is fine. Please note that Day 1 includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea; Day 2 will not be catered so please bring snacks and lunch or purchase from the campus Café Yala. More details below. 

Registration

Due to high interest in this event, registration is now closed. If you have any questions, please get in touch: Conference20yearsEOI@acu.edu.au.

We will keep in touch

Stay tuned for confirmation of your registration. Contact us if you have any questions: icps@acu.edu.au

Listening, Learning, Leading
Using evidence to inform best practice with children, young people & families in ACT

Download program

The conference Listening, Learning, Leading will be held at the Australian Catholic University Canberra Campus (Signadou) in the Veritas Centre, Building 301. The campus is within easy reach of Canberra’s cafes, walking tracks and galleries. Just 5km from Canberra’s central business district, the campus is in Watson in the gently sloping foothills of Mount Majura, the lands of the Ngunnawal Peoples. 

Lunch and refreshments

The two days will be held at Australian Catholic University, Canberra Campus Veritas Centre. Please note that Day 1 includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea; Day 2 will not be catered so please bring snacks and lunch or purchase from the campus Café Yala. If you are attending the practice workshops on day two, we request that you bring your own lunch and snacks. Café Yala, the campus café, will be open to purchase food and drinks, and the Watson shops are just a short drive away.

Parking and public transport

There is plenty of parking (see areas marked with the RED P in the map link below). For those taking public transport, there is a bus stop on Antill Street.

Accessibility

The campus has accessible parking bays and paths offer smooth access to the Veritas Centre Building 301 and within the Centre. Do get in touch if you need more details (contact icps@acu.edu.au).

Address

Canberra Campus (Signadou)
Veritas Centre, Building 301
127 Phillip Ave
Watson ACT 2602

Online details of Canberra campus

Link to map: https://www.acu.edu.au/locations/canberra

Link to amenities: https://www.acu.edu.au/locations/canberra/canberra-campus-amenity-map

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