You are here:

Family & Community Research

Our connections with Universities across the country have been strengthened and regular training, evaluation and partnerships ensure that we know and can provide the best services possible for vulnerable families and children.

Chris Demeyer, FACS Operations Manager

Baptcare offers a range of services designed to support and empower vulnerable families in our communities.

Services available include: practical help and mentoring; parenting and children’s groups; information; advice; and skill-building.

Featured Research Project

The following projects give an insight into some of the world-leading research undertaken by Baptcare.

The impact of COVID-19 on Family and Community services

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the people in our communities in many, often complex, ways. To better understand the effects of the pandemic and Baptcare’s role as a provider of services and support in the community, we undertook a study to examine the impacts of COVID-19 and remote service delivery on both our Family & Community services practitioners and the clients they work with.

Find out more about Family & Community services

Quality and Effectiveness

This study sought to understand the impacts on quality and effectiveness when support was delivered to children and families remotely (online and over the phone) during extended periods of lockdown in Metropolitan Melbourne throughout 2020. Researchers also examined the emotional, physical and material impacts of lockdowns on both clients and practitioners. In addition to the impacts of COVID-19 on staff and clients, the study identified opportunities and challenges to the way services are provided during lockdown and after easing of restrictions.

Leaving out-of-home care

In partnership with Monash University, Baptcare conducted a study into the experiences of young people transitioning from out-of-home care in Tasmania. The study focused on identifying the supports and services that would best meet the needs of these young people. Putting research into action, this scoping study is being used to develop a support and advocacy program tailored to the specific needs of young people leaving care in Tasmania.

References & Further Reading

‘It was daunting. I was 18 and I left residential care and there was no support whatsoever’: A scoping study into the transition from out-of-home-care process in Tasmania, Australia.
Children Australia, 45(4), 296-304.
O’Donnell, R., MacRae, A., Savaglio, M., Vicary, D., Green, R., Mendes, P., Kerridge, G., Currie, G., Diamond, S. & Skouteris, H. (2020).

An Examination of Churn Within Australian Family Services: A Scoping Study.
Australian Social Work, doi: 10.1080/0312407X.2021.1875017
Hatzikiriakidis, K., Skouteris, H., Vicary, D., Fittock, N., Hogan, C., Diamond., Demeyer, C., Stopczynski, J. & O’Donnell, R. (2021).