Welcome to ACWA’s Sector Clearinghouse, where you will find the latest resources, research and information to support your work with children, young people and families.
What’s on?
Sector events
November 28: FACSIAR Lunch and Learn webinar | LINKS and OurSPACE: Findings and recommendations from the evaluations of two trauma-informed services
NEW December 7: Barnardos Australia | The Impact of Domestic and Family Violence on Children Webinar
21–23 March 2024: Create Foundation | Voices in Action 2024 Conference
NEW 5–7 June 2024: ACWA National Conference
Focus Group Invitation
Do you work in the Permanency Support Program in NSW?
If so, we invite you to an online focus group about the new Permanency Practice Framework, funded by DCJ and designed for non-government practitioners working towards case plan goals of restoration or guardianship for Aboriginal children in care and case plan goals of restoration, guardianship or open adoption for non-Indigenous children in care. Click here to find out more.
Joint DCJ/NGO Collaborative Practice Forum series
In mid-2022, ACWA prepared a paper for the DCJ Secretary focused on specific service system issues that warrant joint collaborative work across the sector.
The paper suggested that a starting point for this work could be hosting a series of forums focusing on settling the major systems issues which both DCJ and PSP providers agree should be the subject of joint work during the term of the new PSP contracting period, and exploring the type of governance arrangements needed to drive this work. (Click here to read the paper which outlines the full list of systems issues which will be the subject of joint work.)
Sector Surveys and Research Opportunities
The AIFS Needs and Impact Survey for the child and family sector is now open!
If you work in child and family services and use AIFS resources in your work, we want to hear from you. Your feedback will help us:
- ensure our research is impactful and accessible and
- shape our programs and resources.
This is also your opportunity to tell us your topics of interest and information gaps in your work with the community, to help inform future research.
The survey only takes 10–15 minutes to complete and closes on 15 December 2023.
Training
CAPS E-learning Modules
‘Short bite’ focus sessions on key child protection topics including child sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic and family violence. These courses have been designed both for the general population and people who may have contact with children in their work.
Click here for more information on each of these modules. Click here to access the training.
CCWT Short Courses and Qualifications
Joint Protocol e-learning series for residential out-of-home care workers
Resources, research and reports
Resources for caseworkers
NEW An easy-read version of the Uluru Statement from the Heart has been released for people living with an intellectual disability ahead of October's referendum
Collaborative Practice in Child Wellbeing and Protection: NSW Interagency Guidelines for Practitioners 2021
Keeping connected with video chats
PSP Learning Hub: Legal resources
Reframing Children’s Mental Health—a communications toolkit
Resource will help reduce prejudice against parents with intellectual disability: Research Centre for Children and Families
Taking the journey toward a trauma-informed approach to Family Time
Telepractice Hub
For parents, carers & kids
Learning how to parent when you weren’t parented well yourself—a podcast from Emerging Minds
Department of Education and Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA): easy-to-use, co-designed resources to help young people with disability and their parents and caregivers understand their rights under the Disability Standards for Education 2005
Life Without Barriers and Joblife Employment: Young People’s Employment Pathways (YPEP) flyer
AbSec Video: Keep our mob safe, get vaccinated
Feeling safe—a beautiful picture book for young children about feeling safe
The University of Sydney Research Centre for Children and Families (RCCF): My Family Time is Mine by Bobby Hendry
The University of Sydney Research Centre for Children and Families (RCCF): Roar by Billy Black
Thoughtful Parenting Kit
Wiradjuri language children’s workbooks: Volume 1 | Volume 2
For organisations
Empowerment and participation: OCG guide for organisations working with children and young people
Research
ACWA is supporting a University of Sydney PhD candidate, with lived experience of care, to lead important research into Extended Care in NSW. The Study is currently recruiting young people aged 18–19 years old who have been in out-of-home care in NSW to participate in this research. All participants will be paid for their time. Find out more here.
Caseworkers’ Communication with Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care and their Caregivers
Children involved with NSW child protection services before five years of age
Cultural Identity, Community and Family Connections: Aboriginal Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care
Developmental Outcomes: Children and Young People who have Experienced Out-of-Home Care—POCLS Evidence to Action Note #8
Developmental Outcomes: Aboriginal Children and Young People who have Experienced Out-of-Home Care—POCLS Evidence to Action Note #9
Developmental Outcomes of Children and Young People in Relative Kinship Care and Foster Care
Educational Outcomes of Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care
Evidence Review of Permanency Practices
Factors influencing therapy use following a disclosure of child sexual abuse
Identifying the best strategies for effective client engagement in commissioning of government services
Influence of Placement Stability on Developmental Outcomes of Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care
Placement Stability: Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care
Rates of therapy use following a disclosure of child sexual abuse
The impact of COVID-19 on child mental health and service barriers: The perspective of parents—August 2021
The impact of COVID-19 on the risk of online child sexual exploitation and the implications for child protection and policing
What is the relationship between childhood maltreatment and early educational outcomes? Findings from the NSW Child Development Study—October 2021—Evidence to Action Note
Reports
NEW The prevalence and impact of child maltreatment in Australia: Findings from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study
ACYP Voices of Children and Young People in Out-of-Home Care report
Birth family contact: What are the views of children and young people in out-of-home care?
Child Protection Australia 2020-21
Children and Youth Reported Missing from Out-of-Home Care in Australia
Impact of maternal age on children coming into contact with the child protection system
Leaving care planning: What are the views of young people in out-of-home care?
More care required: An analysis of leaving care support in New South Wales in 2021
My Forever Family NSW Carer Survey 2022 | Report of Findings
Out of sight: Systemic inquiry into children and young people who are absent or missing from residential care
Participation in decision making: What are the views of children and young people in out-of-home care?
The Social Sector in NSW: Capitalising on the Potential for Growth
Transitioning to Adulthood from Out-of-Home Care: Independence or Interdependence?
Webinar recordings
In Discussion with Disability Advocates: Every Child
Out-of-home care through the lens of attachment theory: NSW Committee on Adoption and Permanent Care
s.170 Sector Records Management Forum: Department of Communities and Justice (click here for presentation slides)
Streamlining Administrative Process Workshop: Q&A for PSP providers: Department of Communities and Justice
The digital divide and remote service delivery: CFCA
Practice and Policy Strategies for Permanency Planning: Research Centre for Children and Families and Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA)
Disclaimer. Unless ACWA has expressly stated otherwise, ACWA’s highlighting of resources, research, reports and other information in the above section, does not constitute an endorsement by ACWA of the content of this material.
Career opportunities
Visit NCOSS Community Jobs to view the latest employment opportunities in the NSW community services sector.
Do you have anything to share?
ACWA’s Sector Clearinghouse is a living document, and is updated on a regular basis. If there are is any information or resources that you would like us to share, please email: acwa@acwa.asn.au
Page updated: November 2023