Social Policy Research Centre

The research identified communities which have changed in their level of social disadvantage (or economic disadvantage) over time, investigating the factors which appeared to have led to those changes, focusing on the extent to which there had been changes in community strength (or social capital

SPRC conducted research into the impact of spinal cord injury on people’s life experiences and identified gaps and barriers to achieving self fulfilment.

Does paid maternity leave improve early development outcomes for children? Policy justifications for paid maternity and paternity leave are predominantly based on the advantages to parents and (in some cases) employers.

Most Australian research on work-family balance has been within the industrial relations tradition of workplace-based studies.

This project explored and developed appropriate methodologies to conduct research into how families cope with different kinds of economic adversity and what this implies for the well-being of children.

The Macarthur Youth Mental Health and Housing Project is a joint initiative of Neami Macarthur and NSW Community Services.

This project explores the experiences and personal histories of long-term unemployed and jobless people.

This study examines literature on models of quality assurance in the child welfare area specifically focusing on the provision of statutory out of home care. Other literature that appears relevant for example in the areas of education (e.g. child care/pre-school) will also be used.

The Department of Social Services  commissioned the Social Policy Research Centre to undertake a literature review to examine the drivers of intercountry adoption rates within sending countries and receiving countries; factors or measures that could be used to increase intercountry adoption rates

This project focused on ensuring children enter formal education ready to learn and develop. The project also aimed to ensure that schools are prepared for children when they first attend, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This project focused on the policy developments that led to the establishment of Sure Start in the UK and the move from Sure Start Local Programs (SSLPs) to Sure Start Children's Centres.

This ground-breaking project utilised academic knowledge and practical agency experience built up over decades to produce a new framework for identifying and measuring exclusion and deprivation in contemporary Australian society.

The project seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of current behaviours pertaining to leave around the birth of a child and importantly, what influences these behaviours - i.e.

This project described the associations found in the wave 1 LSAC data between child outcomes and various characteristics of the family environment. Characteristics examined included the economic circumstances of the family (e.g.

The Social Policy Research Centre examined the issues surrounding the provision of kinship care as part of Stage II of The Benevolent Society’s Kinship Care Program. Funding Agency The Benevolent Society 

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet commissioned a research consortium led by the Social Policy Research Centre to evaluate the outcomes of Keep Them Safe (KTS), focusing on outcomes related to system change, improvement of services and the impact of KTS on vulnerable children and families

In December 2009, the Social Policy Research Centre and the Australian Institute of Family Studies were engaged to develop the overall Evaluation Framework for Keep Them Safe.

SPRC is participating in this AHURI funded project which aims to improve understanding of the intergenerational use of the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).