Most communities have a locally organised service and support system which has evolved over a number of decades to support children and their families. However, there is growing evidence of the mismatch between the way the service system is constructed and operates and the contemporary needs of families. 

The Collaborate for Children scoping project investigated how to bring together research, practice and policy to best support the establishment of more relevant and effective service systems. Over 12 months, the Australian locational 'place-based' landscape was examined to understand how we can better promote children’s wellbeing through place-based initiatives.

The project identified the need for a coordinated national effort to advance place-based reform in Australia, particularly in relation to the ‘place-based’ narrative and coordination of research. The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) was recommended to convene this national effort.

Reports

The Centre for Community Child Health is pleased to release four reports from the Collaborate for Children scoping project:

• The evidence: what we know about place-based approaches to support children’s wellbeing (a summary of the literature)
• A snapshot of place-based activity promoting children’s wellbeing (a compendium of contemporary activity in Australia)
• Big thinking on place: getting place-based approaches moving (an analysis of consultations with experienced place-based researchers, policy-makers and practitioners on issues and opportunities for advancing place-based approaches)
• The state of play in Australian place-based approaches for children (a compilation and summary of the Evidence, Snapshot and Big thinking reports). 

The project was undertaken for, and with the support of, the Australian Government Department of Education.

Read more  

For more information about place-based reform, see:

• Place-based initiatives: Transforming communities. A roundtable report prepared by the Centre for Community Child Health
• Place-based reform: Shaping change. A roundtable report prepared by the Centre for Community Child Health
• Policy Brief: Place-based approaches to supporting children and families