The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) has welcomed the announcement today that the University of Sydney will work in partnership with Barnardos Australia to establish the Institute of Adoption Studies in NSW, which will be focused on delivering high quality research and practice development in the specialised area of open adoption.
Acting CEO Wendy Foote has congratulated the two parties on securing the tender for this landmark initiative, which is a first of its kind in Australia.
Open adoption helps children to maintain their sense of identity through ongoing contact with their birth families, and has become a widely recognised and important option for bringing long-term love and security to NSW children and young people in out-of-home care.
“The work to be carried out by the Institute will be critical to informing policy and best practice that will ultimately help achieve permanent stability and ensure better outcomes for children and young people who are unable to live safely with their families due to abuse and neglect,” Dr Foote said.
“We look forward to new research that will contribute to the development of a deeper understanding of achieving permanent outcomes for children and young people and support the sector’s efforts to improve pathways to open adoption.
The Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies is the New South Wales peak body representing non-government organisations which provide services to vulnerable children, young people and their families.
Media enquiries: Libby McCalman 0418 659 525 libby@acwa.asn.au