The Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families was established in 2004 as part of the discipline of Social Work and Social Policy within the School of Social and Cultural Studies.

1. Governance
2. Establishment
3. Government Support

Governance

The director of the Centre is responsible for its day-to-day running, submission of research proposals, staffing and some research work. The director reports to the head of discipline of Social Work and Social Policy and through them the head of the School of Social and Cultural Studies, dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Vice-Chancellor.

Advisory Board

An Advisory Board provides wide-ranging, inter-disciplinary advice and consultancy on the Centre's work and profile and maintains links between the Centre and the community. Board members are able to advocate the Centre in a wider community context and extend its sphere of influence. The Advisory Board includes seven members from the University and from the non-government and government sector.

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Establishment

A research centre dedicated to vulnerable children and families was first proposed in 2002. Western Australian researchers, practitioners and service providers recognised that:

• there was a need for scholarly research in relation to vulnerable children and families
• innovation in policy and practice did not seamlessly flow from such research – there was a need to identify the levers that would enable implementation
• best practice did not come simply through implementation – there was a need to find ways to embed best practice principles in policy development, teaching and service delivery
• the welfare, safety and happiness of children was the responsibility of all members of our community.

By March 2004, the Discipline of Social Work and Social Policy at UWA had developed a business plan.  Individuals who were active in the early development of the centre include Drs Anthea Taylor, Debra Rosser, Brenda Clare, Maria Harries and Paul Murphy, with Professor Mike Clare, Dr Christine Choo and Susan Diamond.

The creation of the Centre for Vulnerable Children and Families was formally approved by the University of Western Australia Academic Council in Resolution 134/04, on 24 November 2004 and the University provided funding for its establishment.

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Government support

The Department of Community Development (now Child Protection) was a seminal partner in the Centre's development. The University and the Department have a partnership based on a shared interest in quality social work graduates and strengthened by a shared commitment to research, professional education of graduates and policy development.

The Department funded the secondment of Ms Susan Diamond as initial Director, maintained an active membership on the Centre Advisory Group, promoted the Centre to Government departments and provided other support such as specialist social services library access.

We work towards our vision of happy, healthy, competent and resilient children, cared for by families able to nurture and promote their growth within communities that value childhood.