Daryl Higgins

This report presents a medium- to long-term evaluation of the Communities for Children (CfC) initiative. This Australian Government initiative aims to improve services for young children and their families and the communities they grow up in. The evaluation, known as the Stronger Families in Australia (SFIA) study, looks at the impact of CfC on child, family, and community outcomes. Phase 1 of the evaluation, published in 2009, found a small but positive impact of the initiative. This new… Show more

This report presents a medium- to long-term evaluation of the Communities for Children (CfC) initiative. This Australian Government initiative aims to improve services for young children and their families and the communities they grow up in. The evaluation, known as the Stronger Families in Australia (SFIA) study, looks at the impact of CfC on child, family, and community outcomes. Phase 1 of the evaluation, published in 2009, found a small but positive impact of the initiative. This new report presents findings from Phase 2 of the study, which followed up 1,927 of the original study families, with the children now aged from 8-10 years old. Phase 2 also introduced a new cohort of 1,800 families and four new "contrast" sites. Show less

The collected essays in this book seek to explore some of the complexities that confront both those who frame social policy and those involved in the legal systems that intersect with child and family issues. This introductory chapter sets out the themes and issues addressed. This book narrates not only historical perspectives and current views, but points to some of the challenges for future directions in policy and law relating to the protection and wellbeing of children and their families in… Show more

The collected essays in this book seek to explore some of the complexities that confront both those who frame social policy and those involved in the legal systems that intersect with child and family issues. This introductory chapter sets out the themes and issues addressed. This book narrates not only historical perspectives and current views, but points to some of the challenges for future directions in policy and law relating to the protection and wellbeing of children and their families in Australia. Show less

Book chapter in 'Families, policy and the law: selected essays on contemporary issues for Australia'

The Life Around Here study was designed to provide information about the factors that influence the participation of families in paid employment and their communities more broadly. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 59 households (involving 71 individuals) across Broadmeadows in Victoria, Mansfield Park in South Australia, and Carole Park* near Goodna in Queensland. These suburbs - along with Angle Park in South Australia and Goodna in Queensland - have been selected to be the test sites… Show more

The Life Around Here study was designed to provide information about the factors that influence the participation of families in paid employment and their communities more broadly. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 59 households (involving 71 individuals) across Broadmeadows in Victoria, Mansfield Park in South Australia, and Carole Park* near Goodna in Queensland. These suburbs - along with Angle Park in South Australia and Goodna in Queensland - have been selected to be the test sites for the Family Centred Employment Project, as according to a number of indicators, such as high levels of family joblessness, they have been identified as being socially and economically disadvantaged. Show less

Provides an overview of Police checks and child safety screening programmes across the Australian States and Territories.

Provides an overview of Police checks and child safety screening programmes across the Australian States and Territories.

Vol 63, No2, June 2010 pp 145-163.

This report has highlighted the challenges faced in trying to evaluate programs when there are not adequate data to inform the evaluation. As a result, the evaluation team has been heavily limited in its capacity to assess the effectiveness and impacts of these programs. While findings have been drawn from qualitative data and information and supported by the available quantitative data, if the availability of appropriate data, including baseline data, had been determined before the evaluation… Show more

This report has highlighted the challenges faced in trying to evaluate programs when there are not adequate data to inform the evaluation. As a result, the evaluation team has been heavily limited in its capacity to assess the effectiveness and impacts of these programs. While findings have been drawn from qualitative data and information and supported by the available quantitative data, if the availability of appropriate data, including baseline data, had been determined before the evaluation commenced it would have maximised the value of the investment in the programs. Effective resource use would involve the establishment of datasets and a framework for the evaluation during early phases of the program’s development and implementation to allow continual quality improvement and ongoing measurement of long-term program outcomes. Show less