Prue Holzer

Integrating strategies for delivering evidence-informed practice

The need for policy and practice to be informed by a high quality evidence-base has been widely recognised. However, there are many barriers to overcome in order to realise this goal. This paper describes a conceptual framework for understanding the drivers of policy and practice in the child and family welfare sectors and profiles strategies being employed across Australia to facilitate evidence-informed practice.

The Planets Aligned: Is Child Protection Policy Reform Good Luck or Good Management?

Abstract Governments across Australia are struggling to address escalating child protection notifications, a marked increase in the number of children in State care, a decrease in the number of foster carers and chronic workforce shortages in child welfare services. This paper explores the reform process that culminated in the proclamation of the Victorian Children, Youth and Families Act, 2005 and represents an aspect of the response in Victoria to these wider issues. It explores the history of the reform from the perspective of key actors from government, non-government sectors and academics who participated in the process. The paper explores the “ingredients of social policy reform” and how the change process was managed in Victoria. It does not seek to evaluate the reform but rather to understand the complex processes through which a propitious moment for reform was both seized and constructed.

The role of research in child protection policy reform: a case study of South Australia

Abstract Governments across Australia are struggling to address escalating child protection notifications, increasing numbers of children in state care, decreasing numbers of foster carers and chronic child welfare workforce shortages. The complex social problem of child abuse and neglect has a high media profile, and policy reform in such a politicised domain poses many challenges. What role does research play in the process of child protection policy development? Using recent child protection reform in South Australia as a case study, this paper analyses primary documentary sources and in-depth interviews with key actors to explore this issue.