OPEN Symposium 2019 - Presentations - Outcomes, Practice and Evidence Network

The 2019 OPEN Symposium showcased some of the innovative ways our sector is working to deliver better outcomes for children, families and young people.The theme of this year’s Symposium – the Voices that Matter – highlights the importance of privileging the voices of children, young people and families as we strive to strengthen the evidence base across child, youth and family services.

Presentations from the OPEN Symposium 2019 are now available – follow the links below

First Keynote Address

Eileen Munro, Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics

Opening the Symposium, Professor Munro spoke about the challenges and possibilities of taking research evidence from one complex system to another with particular reference to her work in reviewing child protection practices in English local authorities.

In the Pavillion

Gemma McKibbin & Ana Fried – Engaging young people in the development of a trauma-informed sexual health and safety education program in out-of-home care: An update on the Respecting Sexual Safety project (currently unavailable)
Kathy Crouch, Nicola Thomson & Jessica Hateley-Browne – The Common Elements Approach: Trialling an innovative approach to embedding evidence at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Service
Dr Renee O’Donnell & Andrea Dunbar – Effectiveness outcomes for young children and mothers in an intensive service for vulnerable families
Anneliese Spiteri-Staines & Patrizio Favorito – Keeping Safe Together: Children seen and heard
Lucy Healy & Rosie Carr – The STACY project: Keeping Children visible when working with parental mental health and substance misuse in the context of family violence

In the Members Lounge

Melanie Ashman & Kerry Brogan – Building the evidence base of Aboriginal programs and practices to improve outcomes for Aboriginal families and children
Heidi Tucker, Dylan Langley & Meg Beilkin – “Cultivating the Soil”: Co-design and collective impact for system change
Jonathan Finch, Anthony Denahy & Emma Stirling – Caring Life: Technology solution for creating life stories
Casey Hepburn & Jenny Fairbairn – Family engagement using social media

In the Amcor Lounge

Paula Anderson & Margaret Kertesz – Group work for women to heal and find viable alternatives to violence
Isla Swanston & Robyn Buchanan – Independent Family Advocacy and Support (IRAS): client participation in a non-legal advocacy service
Simon Green & Haley Zilberberg – Emerging Leaders Program for young people with disability
Indi Clarke – Ngaga-dji (hear me) youth voices creating change for justice: Taking action on the youth justice system for our children and young people (currently unavailable)

In the State Theatre Lounge

Casey Howden – Who is Casey Jones? Engaging children in problem solving
Jade Purtell, Ralph Salera & The Youth Group Advocates – Continuing care: collaborative youth participation practice with young people and leaving care services
Gabrielle Johnson & Prof. Margaret Kelaher – Developing a health, wellbeing and safety framework for Aboriginal Victorians
Kate Mecham, Julia Dearson, Erin Davis & Cymantha Thompson – Working with children in refuge: A case study of the Specialist Family Violence sector’s work with children (currently unavailable)

Afternoon Panel

Participatory practice at the coalface: working collaboratively with young people
The closing panel was hosted by Sam Champion (Youth Affairs Council of Victoria)
And featured:
Cathy Carnovale (Create Foundation)
Siobhán McCann (Commission for Children and Young People)
Lauren Oliver (Berry Street)
Brittany Witnish (Youth Advisor, Master of Social Work and lived experience consultant)
Jade Purtell (Researcher and Youth Participation Consultant)
Jenna Bollinger (Researcher)

Click here to access

Get in touch

Want to learn more? OPEN can help!

Get assistance !

OPEN Symposium 2019 – Presentations