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 practice principles for supported Family Time. This included a discussion of practices being trialled in action cycle 1 and how this has been supported by reflective practice. A recording of the webinar can be found here.
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 phone catch ups or setting up group chats (WhatsApp) for sibling groups. Examples of low technology-based communication: mailing letters, artwork, and photos. Caseworkers can support family time from a distance by facilitating access to iPads, prepaid envelopes and phone credit, providing instructions for how to download and use apps, providing tips on how to make video chatting fun and interactive. Making it meaningful, engaging and age appropriate.
Sydney Team
Post visit debrief with children, carers and parents – Have debrief phone calls with children, carers and parents (or other relatives involved in contact) within one week after visit to assess what worked well and identify areas for improvement. Ask follow-up open-ended questions: What happened that made you feel good/not so good? What could I have done to help? What could you try next time?
Wollongong Team
Pre and post visit debrief with parents – (1) Pre visit debrief with parents: Call to check in approximately two weeks prior to scheduled Family Time to promote participation in Family Time and identify any barriers to participation. Ask follow-up open-ended questions: How are you going? What’s been happening? Has anything come up that might affect your next Family Time visit? (2) Post visit debrief with parents: Call to check in within one week after visit to assess what worked well and identify areas for improvement. Ask follow-up open-ended questions: What happened that made you feel good/not so good? What could I have done to help? What could you try next time?
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 these challenging times. The action researchers shared many innovative and practical solutions that are being used by their agencies to support children and families to remain connected during the crisis, such as facilitating access to technology. We heard about new opportunities and unexpected benefits that have arisen from technology-assisted visits such as greater empathy and trust between children’s birth and permanent carers.
An ideas wall created during the event can be accessed here.
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 chosen relationship-building practice. The enthusiasm and commitment of the action researchers was on display over the two day event.
Over the next 6 months, the action research teams will implement their new practices, with monthly regional meetings to share and reflect. The research team is working with our project partners to maintain regular communication and connection through online platforms.
A brief video sharing some of our moments learning and working together can be found here.