Fostering lifelong cultural connections for Aboriginal children in care
On 27 October 2021, the Research Centre for Children and families participated in a research to practice webinar hosted by FACSIAR. The webinar premiered two short films produced by Desert Pea Media and the RCCF in collaboration with six Aboriginal caseworkers from DCJ and Uniting in Dubbo. ‘The Bridge’ shares the importance of family and cultural connections …
Practices being trialled in Action Cycle 3
In the third and final action research cycle of the Fostering Lifelong Connections study, our teams have selected to trial the following practices. Sydney & Wollongong teams Supporting sibling connections: Ask children about their siblings and whom they would like to see, implement creative ways to keep children connected Dubbo and Maitland Teams Hearing Children’s …
Learning Session 3
In June 2021, our action research teams from each project site came together on Wiradjuri Country in Dubbo for our third learning session of the project. The learning session was held at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and was an important opportunity for each locally-based team to connect with each other and share their experiences. The …
Practices being trialled in Action Cycle 2
In Action Cycle 2, our teams have selected to trial the following practices. Sydney & Maitland teams Supporting co-regulation Aim: To support parents and carers to understand and respond to children’s behaviour Assist birth relatives and carers to reflect on and understand their own emotions so they can respond sensitively to children’s reactions and manage behaviour that arises before/after visits. Carers talk to child before/after …
Learning Session 2
In October 2020, our action research teams from each project site came together, with COVID-19 safe precautions, on Dharawal country for our second learning session for the project. Highlights included a painting workshop led by Aunty Lorraine Brown and Aunty Narelle Thomas from Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation about the rivers of time, representating the impacts of practices …
Research-to-Practice Webinar
On 19 August 2020, the Research Centre for Children and Families held a Research-to-Practice webinar focusing on reflective evidence on Family Time for the out-of-home care sector. During the webinar, the research team and expert and practitioner partners gave an overview of the Fostering Lifelong Connections study and shared how they have been developing good …
Practices being trialled in Action Cycle 1
In Action Cycle 1, our teams are trialling the following practices. Dubbo & Maitland Teams Doing Family Time from a distance – Supporting families with non-physical modes of communication to promote meaningful Family Time and family connections. Examples of technology-based communication: video chatting (FaceTime, Skype, Zoom), photo sharing via safe apps (FamilyAlbum app, PhotoCircle app), increasing …
Casework in the time of Coronavirus
In early April we hosted a virtual forum, ‘Casework in the time of Coronavirus’. Over twenty people attended including action researchers from across the four sites and members of our research team. The event provided an opportunity for the action researchers to connect with, and support one another to develop and continue best practice during …
Learning Session 1
Our partners from DCJ and NGO agencies Barnardos, CareSouth, CatholicCare Wollongong, CatholicCare Hunter Manning, Key Assets, Uniting and Wesley Dalmar, came together in February for the first of four Learning Sessions to be held over the 3-year project. These agencies have formed local action learning groups at each of the four sites, to trial their …