These are the research and evaluation projects that Wanslea is currently working on.
Family Services
Wanslea is reviewing the practice framework in the Family Services program areas and matching current practice against international evidence based practice. This project is a partnership with the Parenting Research Centre in Victoria.
Children who foster
Wanslea is partnering with Edith Cowan University to undertake research and to develop a resource to assist sons and daughters of foster carers navigate the experience of having children coming to live with them.
Consumer Feedback
Feedback surveys have been developed to seek the views of children in care and foster carers about their experiences of the service provided by Wanslea. Feedback forms will be circulated every three months and the data will be analysed and used to inform future practice improvement.
Cortisol research
Wanslea has partnered with Edith Cowan University to research the impact of foster care placement on children’s stress levels. Foster carers are asked to test the cortisol levels of children at various times in their placement and these results will provide some evidence about the stress that children are feeling in foster care.
Students
Wanslea encourages students to become involved in research and evaluation projects in their field of interest. Social work students are regularly placed at Wanslea and there is the opportunity for students from other disciplines to have work experience or help with specific projects and programs.
Children’s Services
Wanslea is committed to researching and implementing the best evidence based practice in child care. A project is currently looking into models of childcare internationally and applying what works to Wanslea’s own programs.
Children of Parents with Mental Illness (COPMI)
Wanslea has a partnership with Ruah to deliver the COPMI Family to Family program. Part of this is for Wanslea to assist with the evaluation of the partnership and the program areas that relate to staff service delivery and knowledge in the area of mental health
Grandcare Research
Wanslea is partnering with Murdoch University to research more deeply some of the issues which arise for grandparents caring for their grandchildren full time.
Contact us for more information or call us during business hours on (08) 9245 2441.