This paper defines the types of supported playgroups and varying models of implementation in operation in Australia, and assesses the evaluation evidence for their benefits to parents and children. Supported playgroups are playgroups run by a paid facilitator that aim to support families with particular vulnerabilities or needs. Supported playgroups focus on supporting the development and wellbeing of both parents and children. Many also aim to help parents and children to transition to community (i.e., self-managed, unsupported) playgroups. This paper defines the types of supported playgroups and varying models of implementation in operation in Australia, and assesses the evaluation evidence for their benefits to parents and children. It considers supported playgroup as a soft entry point to other services, and looks to research and evaluation studies that identify important components of supported playgroups.

The Australian Government Department of Social Services (DSS) commissioned the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) in 2014 to assist with the establishment of a panel of experts to help agencies funded under the department's Families and Children Activity. The Families and Children Activity provides early intervention and prevention programs and services to improve the wellbeing of families and children. The panel of experts (the Panel) will help service providers deliver evidence-based programs and practices and to continue to build this evidence base through evaluation, with a focus on prevention and early intervention approaches. The Expert Panel project is funded from 2014-19. This article outlines the different methods by which the Panel will provide advice and support to the sector, activities undertaken in the first year of the project and future initiatives.

Young people who leave school early are at greater risk of experiencing long-term unemployment and slipping into social exclusion as a result. This paper looks at the risk factors associated with young people exiting the education system prematurely, particularly in a family context. The impact of parental separation and changes to family structure on academic outcomes, and the continued importance of parental involvement in education in the secondary school years are further explored. Key messages for child and family support practitioners who are working with families with adolescent children are provided. Online: Family factors in early school leaving Download printable version (PDF 258 KB) Download EPUB version (66 KB) | About EPUB

Internet use has become virtually universal among Australian adolescents. In the 12 months prior to April 2012, 96% of 9-11 year olds and 98% of 12-14 year olds used the Internet at home or school, and use increases with age (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2012). Alongside this is a growing recognition that Australia's long-term social and economic prosperity will increasingly rely on professionals with high-quality skills in the use of technology, as outlined in the National Digital Economy Strategy (Department of Broadband, Communications & the Digital Economy, 2011). As such, technological competence will be crucial for the children and adolescents of today, who are destined to become the next generation of professionals.

The Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) exchange is a new website hosted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), with a focus on protecting children, supporting families and strengthening communities.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies has a long history of providing research in an easy-to-use format to inform the development of policy and practice. A rigorous, evidence-informed approach to policy and practice is important not only to help achieve intended outcomes, but also to reduce the possibility of unintended outcomes (Peterson, 2006) or costly mistakes (Banks, 2009).

This paper is an overview of an analysis of the Vulnerable and Disadvantaged Client Access Strategies (Access Strategies), a requirement of service providers funded by the Family Support Program (FSP). Organisations were asked to document and implement the steps they would take to improve service accessibility and responsiveness for vulnerable and disadvantaged families, including Indigenous families. The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) was commissioned by Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to undertake a desktop analysis of available Access Strategy documents, in order to collate information on existing/current good or innovative practice utilised by organisations to support vulnerable and disadvantaged families.

Adolescence is an important period of growth in which, ideally, a healthy transition from dependence on family occurs, particularly in Western societies. This may be perceived, however, as meaning that young people are increasingly less likely to need family involvement and support in their lives. As a consequence of this, there is no consistent approach to the involvement of family members in treatment and intervention options for young people in need of support. This article examines recent literature regarding adolescent-parent relationships, and explores the evidence for family-based interventions that address problems occurring in adolescence.

Adolescence is an important period of growth in which, ideally, a healthy transition from dependence on family occurs, particularly in Western societies. This may be perceived, however, as meaning that young people are increasingly less likely to need family involvement and support in their lives. As a consequence of this, there is no consistent approach to the involvement of family members in treatment and intervention options for young people in need of support. This article examines recent literature regarding adolescent-parent relationships, and explores the evidence for family-based interventions that address problems occurring in adolescence.

As we head into another Australian summer, we have chosen to focus this edition on natural disasters and their impacts on families. Catherine Caruana reviews the literature on the responses of families, children and adolescents to natural disasters. An article by Jill Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Grampians Community Health, describes a whole-of-service response to regional bushfires in 2006. Another main article in this edition looks at the role of psychological factors in preparation for natural disaster events.

Adolescence is an important period of growth in which, ideally, a healthy transition from dependence on family occurs, particularly in Western societies. This may be perceived, however, as meaning that young people are increasingly less likely to need family involvement and support in their lives. As a consequence of this, there is no consistent approach to the involvement of family members in treatment and intervention options for young people in need of support. This article examines recent literature regarding adolescent–parent relationships, and explores the evidence for family-based interventions that address problems occurring in adolescence.

The complexity of defining what or who constitutes a family is well known. With increasing variability in family structure and type over time, the idea of achieving a single, workable definition appears elusive for researchers, service providers and policy-makers alike. One view, proposed by Families Australia, cuts through these debates to suggest that families are what individuals define them to be. As such, family can be a fluid concept that may have markedly different meanings to different individuals, even those living under the same roof. This article explores some of the many approaches to defining families, as well as providing an overview of the feature articles in this edition of 'Family Matters'.

Sole-parent families are on the increase in Australia, and will continue to be a significant minority of family types. As such, it appears timely to ask what we know about sole-parent families and whether policy and practice responses to their needs are based on contemporary evidence. This article explores themes within the literature on sole-parent families and considers the extent to which sole parenting itself, or associated factors, impact on outcomes for children. What helps sole-parent families, in terms of a more sophisticated understanding of their needs and methods of support, is also considered.

The Strong Bonds project which is an initiative of Jesuit Social Services, conceptualised in response to a perceived need in the youth-work field for a better understanding of the dynamics between a young person and their family, and how this may be integrated into practice for positive outcomes. The project aims to increase the emphasis in youth-oriented organisations on families as a support and resource for young people who have complex needs.

Mental health issues permeate the family law system – at least according to anecdote. Yet such issues are rarely mentioned in family-law research, policy, and practice. This article aims to stimulate discussion about the sometimes close and complex links between mental health issues and family law, and suggests a framework for how the family-law system might provide better emotional support to families in transition.