Headspace aims to improve the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of young people in Australia through the provision of evidence-based, integrated, youth-centred and holistic services. In January 2013, the Australian Government Department of Health (DoH) commissioned a consortium of researchers from the Social Policy Research Centre and the Centre for Social Impact, UNSW...

This research examined the costs, benefits and impacts for participants, carers, communities and government of the transition to consumer directed care (CDC) markets for respite outputs and outcomes. Drawing on a policy and literature review, stakeholder consultations, and cost/benefit and impact modelling, the project mapped the service infrastructure as it transitions to consumer-directed care and...

The Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) was commissioned by Family Day Care Australia to conduct research into quality in family day care. Six high quality services agreed to participate in the study. At each service, the SPRC research team conducted interviews with families, educators, coordination unit staff and representatives from managing organisations, comprising a total...

This project used a social action research approach with two groups of Victorian children and young people with intellectual disability aged 9-22 and their parents. The groups conducted research and provided peer support about their experiences with self-directed disability support. The intentions were to build capacity among children, young people and families for the transition...

The Aboriginal self-identification project sought to understand why Aboriginal people identify as Aboriginal when using various government services.