Child protection has been a troubling issue in the ACT, but today Joy Burch has announced funding for some research into how it can be done better:
The Institute for Child Protection Studies will look at new ways to improve contact between children in out-of-home care and their birth parents thanks to a $560,000 grant over four years from the Australian Research Council.
The Institute is a jointly funded initiative between the Australian Catholic University and the ACT Government.
“The project funded by the Australian Research Council will fill a gap in knowledge about the best approaches to managing contact between children in care and their birth parents,” Ms Burch said.
The project will look at early intervention strategies and develop, trial and evaluate a new model to improve children’s relationships with their birth parents.
“This will increase successful reunifications, reduce distress to children and parents and improve outcomes for children.
