Social Work - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableInfant Access Program Evaluation( 2022-03-30)This project was commissioned by the Eastern Health Foundation to evaluate the implementation of the ‘Infant Access Program’ (IAP). The IAP seeks to improve access to specialist infant mental health services for children aged 0-5 years with mental health difficulties in the Maroondah City and Yarra Ranges local government areas. This report provides an overview of the evaluation method, key findings, and recommendations for future IAP research and program development to build the evidence base in infant mental health service provision. The program evaluation project used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the implementation of the Infant Access Program (IAP). The aims of the project were: - To identify existing models and programs designed to improve access to mental health services for children aged 0-5 years that have been implemented nationally and internationally in health and mental health sectors. - To evaluate if the IAP facilitates access to mental health services for children aged 0-5 years with mental health difficulties and their families. - To assess if the IAP is delivering mental health services to the target population: children at-risk of mental health difficulties. - To understand the experiences of clinicians who implemented the IAP. Findings: Despite the lack of specific research on this topic, the scoping review identified several broad themes for IAP to consider: (1) accessibility for at-risk populations (2) the importance of early detection of infants in need of mental health services and interventions; (3) the promotion of culturally responsive services and interventions; (4) ensuring the sustainability of IMH services and programs; and (5) the integration of innovative interventions to improve existing practice models. A total of ten participants (CYMHS clinicians and EMCH nurses) consented into this evaluation. The participants provided mental health and nursing services to three local government areas in the Melbourne’s eastern region. During the implementation period (May – October 2021), two CYMHS clinicians and four EMCH nurses collected IAP activity data related to thirteen infants and young children and their families who were consulted or referred to the program. Following the Infant Access Program Evaluation implementation period, semi-structured qualitative focus groups were conducted with the ten CYMHS clinicians and EMCH nurses to gain an understanding of their experiences of implementing the IAP in practice. The analysis of the IAP activity data and focus group discussions demonstrate that the IAP does facilitate access to mental health services for children aged 0-5 years with mental health difficulties and their families. Access to specialist mental health support for most children and families was rapid, with most children meeting the CYMHS clinician at a first joint home visit only 14 days after the initial consultation with the EMCH nurse. This rapid response demonstrates the IAP is nimble and flexible in offering infant mental health services in a time sensitive manner. The program received referrals for infant mental health services for its intended target population: infants and children and their families experiencing known risk factors for poor mental health outcomes. Families with a range of complex psychosocial risk factors can often experience significant challenges in accessing specialist services such as infant mental health intervention for their child despite having concerns about their social and emotional development. The IAP managed the initial engagement with families by leveraging the existing relationship the family had with the EMCH nurse, however, there were challenges with maintaining engagement and delivering mental health interventions. Although the initial access to the IAP is a strength of the current design, further consideration is needed as to the ways in which to meaningfully engage with families of infants and children with mental health difficulties that are acceptable and sustainable. The IAP had the full support of all the CYMHS clinicians and EMCH nurses who were involved during the implementation phase of this evaluation. The experience of clinicians and nurses working in partnership, bringing skills sets of mental health clinicians and maternal child health together was considered a strength of the IAP design. The access and rapid response from the CYMHS clinicians to consult and meet with the families was also valued. This ensured a timely response to the needs of infants and children with mental health difficulties and capitalised on the readiness and willingness of families to engage with mental health services. The clinicians and nurses recognised the challenges of working with a population that is at-risk in our community. Establishing trust with the families was identified as the key to successful engagement with IAP. Creative ways of engaging families were also important, offering choice for when and where to meet the IAP clinician.
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ItemAustralian parent and sibling perspectives on the impact of paediatric acquired brain injury on family relationships during the first 6 weeks at home( 2022-11-01)This study explores the impact of paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) on family relationships. Twenty-three families (n = 18 mothers, n = 7 fathers, and n = 4 siblings) of children who sustained an ABI requiring treatment from inpatient acute and rehabilitation services reported on their perceptions regarding changes in family relationships since the injured child's return home. Thematic analysis of survey data was conducted. Family members (parents and siblings) described four themes: (1) negative changes in sibling interactions; (2) role changes arising from an increase in parental expectations of non-injured siblings; (3) family system challenges in balancing needs within the parent–child dyad and sibling subsystems; and (4) supporting emotional responses within the family system. Findings reveal a critical time for families as they resume full care of the injured child at home. Clinical implications for social workers and other rehabilitation clinicians are explored.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAustralian parent and sibling perspectives on the impact of paediatric acquired brain injury on family relationships during the first 6 weeks at home.(Department of Social Work, The University of Melbourne, 2021)
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ItemNo Preview AvailablePathways to participation in gymnastics: Understanding the experiences of families of children with disability.(ICMS Australasia, 2022-03-04)Background/Objective: Modifying environments can break down barriers to community participation for children and young people with disability and their families. Gymnastics is a popular community-based sport for young people in Australia with physical, social, and psychological benefits for children including those with disability. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences of families of children with disability with getting involved in, and participating in, gymnastics, to inform how more supportive gymnastics environments can be created. Study design: Sequential explanatory mixed-methods study Study participants and setting: Eligible participants were parents or carers of children / young people with disability (any type, up to 25 years of age) who currently participate in, had participated in, or had attempted to participate in gymnastics in Victoria, Australia, in the last 3 years. Methods: This study was led by researchers in collaboration with a project advisory group including two parents of children with disability and staff from the peak organisation for gymnastics in Victoria. Participants were invited to complete an online survey, with selected participants purposively invited to undertake a semi-structured interview via videoconference. Quantitative survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics with preliminary findings informing the invitation of interview participants and further refinement of the interview questions. Qualitative survey and interview data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis to create themes. All data were then mixed to create a conceptual framework. Themes and the framework underwent member checking with the parent advisors and interview participants. Results: Sixty-eight parents or carers provided survey responses, and eight interviews were conducted. The three most reported factors considered when selecting a gymnastics club were 1) coaches’ knowledge of disability (median importance score = 84/100, interquartile range (74-99)), 2) convenient location (80 (68-94)) and, 3) inclusive programs offered (80 (63-94)). Five key themes emerged: 1) Tailored, accessible and supportive facilities and programs make a difference, 2) An explicitly inclusive club culture helps young people get involved and stay involved, 3) Coach knowledge about engaging children with disability is valued, 4) Enjoyment and recognition of achievement are key facilitators of ongoing participation and, 5) Gymnastics has psychological and social benefits too. The conceptual framework integrated themes into stages along the participation pathway. Conclusions/significance: Many participation-related interventions target children with disability and their families. Conversely, these findings provide guidance to gymnastics clubs on how to become more inclusive and supportive environments at each stage of participation.
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ItemThe engagement of children in out-of-home care with nursing and allied health professionals: A scoping review(WILEY, 2021-11)BACKGROUND: Children living in out-of-home care (OOHC) have significant unmet health care needs and use more tertiary and specialist health care services compared with children from similar social and economic backgrounds. Allied health professionals and nurses have a central role in health care; however, very little is known about the engagement of children in OOHC with nursing and allied health professionals. This scoping review addresses this knowledge gap. METHODS: A scoping review methodology framework was used to search for relevant articles published between January 1970 and November 2019, identified using three databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL and ProQuest. Selection of studies was based on empirical research about the health of children in OOHC and their engagement with nursing or allied health services. A total of 37 relevant articles met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review. RESULTS: Findings could be summarized under five broad themes: (1) nursing and allied health professionals engaging with children in OOHC to support their health and development, (2) opportunities and challenges for nursing and allied health professionals to engage children in OOHC in healthcare, (3) identification and complexity of healthcare needs, (4) access to healthcare services and (5) coordination of healthcare. CONCLUSIONS: Children in OOHC have multiple healthcare needs that require monitoring and treatment by allied health professionals and the health and development of these children is best supported through comprehensive health screening on entry into OOHC, and community-based, multidisciplinary healthcare while children are living in OOHC. While nurses in hospitals and community settings were found to play a role in health assessment and care coordination targeted at children in OOHC, the literature was silent on the role of allied health professionals in this healthcare approach.
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ItemPublic reassurance following a collective trauma event: a scoping review of the evidence to inform police practice(EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD, 2021-10-05)Purpose This paper examines the empirical research on police reassurance following a collective trauma event (CTE). Design/methodology/approach Using a scoping review methodology, this paper sought to establish the extent, range and nature of published literature on policing responses to collective traumatic events, and to identify key features of this form of direct practice. Included papers needed to focus on police responses oeassurance with the public related to events (pre-or post) that could be regarded as collective trauma events by nature or scale. Searches were conducted using the Web of Science, SCOPUS and PsychINFO databases for literature published between January 2000 and December 2019. Findings Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. The key themes identified: (1) measuring the impact of reassurance and community policing; (2) community attitudes to policing and social disorder/critical events; (3) police workforce responses to traumatic events; and (4) interventions to support police to respond to their community. Research limitations/implications Future research needs to examine the elements that create a robust organisational infrastructure that can withstand the demands of policing in ordinary and extraordinary times. Fundamental to the studies in this review is the relationship between the police agencies and the community. The nature of this relationship and how it can be strengthened to ameliorate the negative impact of CTEs in communities needs further exploration. Originality/value This paper provides important findings that can inform future reassurance policing practice and research.
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ItemNo Preview AvailablePost-disaster social work research: A scoping review of the evidence for practice(SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD, 2022-05)The aim of this study was to understand the extent, range and nature of social work research activity after natural disasters and to identify the implications for future research and practice. A Scoping review methodology framework was used search of three databases: Web of Science, ProQuest and Informit was conducted to identify relevant studies between 2000 and 2018. Selection of studies was based on empirical research about social work and natural disasters and/or authored by social workers. Study selection found a total of 38 relevant articles. Charting the data was conducted and the following areas of focus were summarised: (1) interventions relating to psychosocial care, aid work and community work; (2) the effects of disasters on people and mediators of these effects; (3) social work education and challenges in disaster relief; and (4) measuring mental health outcomes of people who have experienced a disaster event. This scoping review has established that there is a range of social work literature focused on natural disasters that primarily examines social work interventions, the effects of disasters and social work education. Future social work research and practice needs to focus on the types and timing of interventions that promote positive recovery following natural disasters.