Last week, Lauren had the chance to attend the ACWA 2024 conference. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear from national and international researchers into best practices in child and family support.
A highlight of the conference was Professor Darcey Meritt, University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice, who spoke on her research on child maltreatment prevention, and the importance of upstream prevention to support minoritised families.
A major takeaway from the conference was the importance of centering the voices and experiences of children and parents within the service system. By doing this, we can co-create solutions that not only keep children and families safe but also uphold their dignity and self-determination. This approach is essential for building a supportive and effective service system.
However, one of the biggest benefits was the chance to have face to face conversations, share ideas and build connections across the sector.
