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.