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About Parenting Research Centre

Our vision

Here at the Parenting Research Centre, we have a clear vision for Australia’s future. We see thriving children with parents who are supported to learn new skills as their families grow and change.

We also see a community that values parenting, shares the responsibility of raising children, and resources parents to support their children’s health and wellbeing. Getting this right will mean long-term benefits for Australia’s social and economic future.

Research tells us that parents are the single most important influence on a child’s wellbeing. Therefore, working with parents is often the most effective way to help children thrive.

Our mission

We’re here to help children and families thrive by driving improved ways of supporting parenting.

We think the best way to do this is by helping governments and community agencies put the best scientific evidence on parenting support into action. Our main focus to date has been on organisations in the fields of health, education and welfare.

Parenting research in action

We work with these organisations in three main ways. Firstly, we make evidence more accessible and useful to them by synthesising, translating and exchanging knowledge.

Then, in partnership with them, we design parenting initiatives that are innovative and evidence-based, but which work in the real world.

And thirdly, we conduct rigorous research that moves beyond the theory. This applied research helps organisations evaluate and improve the quality of the policies, programs and services they offer parents.

Our goals

Our goals are to:

  • advocate for effective parenting support
  • be a leader in advancing evidence-based policy, services and systems related to parenting support
  • drive innovation in parenting support
  • increase reach and impact of evidence-based parenting support
  • build a thriving enterprise and organisation

Practical parenting support and advice

As well as working with decision makers and practitioners, we have several flagship programs that directly support parents.

For example, through raisingchildren.net.au we help thousands of parents find evidence-based answers to their parenting questions every day. And programs such as MyTime offer free support for parents of children with disabilities.

Why we’re different

When it comes to working with governments and community agencies, we offer something others can’t: a complete, end-to-end service in the field of parenting support. We help organisations design, adapt, implement and evaluate their parenting support policies and programs so they can be more effective. But we can also customise any one aspect of our work to suit individual needs.

We’re in a unique position to support those working with parents who want to improve children’s lives. This is because we have:

  • 20 years of experience
  • practical expertise
  • scientific rigour and
  • a collaborative approach.

Our theory of change

Our theory of change outlined below shows how we help drive evidence informed policy and practice.

 

Our funding

We’re all about the public good. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation we receive grant and fee-for-service funding from government and non-government agencies.

Our values

Our values really are at the heart of what we do. We know this because they’re reflected in our decision making, the way we treat our partners and the way we treat each other. We’re proud to list our values below.

Commitment

We’re passionate about parenting and the potential of scientific knowledge to make a difference to families’ lives.

Open mindedness

We put a premium on learning, are open to new ideas and value questioning and inquiry.

Excellence

We’re proud of our work and use rigorous science in creating new knowledge, services and practical resources.

Innovation

We’re agile and adaptable in overcoming challenges so we can continually make a difference.

Responsiveness

We listen and respond to our community’s concerns so we can generate knowledge that can be practically applied.

Collaboration

We believe knowledge shared in a spirit of openness and respect delivers better outcomes.

Stewardship

We’re committed to accountability and transparency because we are a steward of public funding and a trusted leader in parenting knowledge.

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