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The Human Development and Community Wellbeing (HDCW) Team focuses on improving outcomes for children, family, and the community.

News & Events

Ethan recently took part in Belong, a study led by The Kids which aims to ensure deaf and hard of hearing kids have a happy & positive school experience

Research

Understanding variations in risk profiles among persistently non-attending children will inform the development of absence interventions.

Research

School-based nutrition education (NE) has an important role in promoting healthy eating habits and helping prevent chronic diseases – particularly among disadvantaged children and youth who are more likely to experience poor diet quality. 

Research

Aboriginal children and families contend with higher rates of preventable infectious diseases that can be attributed to their immediate living environment. The environments in which children spend most of their time are their homes and schools. We aimed to understand the opportunities in the school setting to support student skin health and wellbeing through environmental health activities, how these activities were completed, and the barriers to their implementation.

Research

This scoping review considers the experiences of aspiring high school-aged athletes as they navigate the complexities of managing sport, education, social, and family life. The review synthesises existing literature on the decisions, barriers, facilitators, and support systems that influence aspiring athletes' pathways.

Research

The early years are critical for lifelong wellbeing, with transition to formal school a key period for development. For Indigenous children, this transition provides opportunities to build on cultural strengths and belonging. However, many children face systemic barriers that impact their transition experiences, highlighting a need for culturally safe programs that support Indigenous families during this significant time.

Research

Although school-based delivery of online interventions can effectively prevent depression and other common mental disorders, little is known about the characteristics of students who engage with these programs. This study aimed to identify predictors of two indicators of adolescent engagement (program usage and skill enactment) with a school-based online depression prevention program. The study also explored the association between skill enactment and mental health outcomes. 

Research

Student bullying behaviours are a significant social issue in schools worldwide. Whilst school staff have access to quality bullying prevention interventions, schools can face significant challenges implementing the whole-school approach required to address the complexity of these behaviours.

Research

School bullying is a public health concern affecting the physical and mental health of children and young people. While school-based interventions to prevent bullying have been developed internationally, the effectiveness of many interventions has been mixed and modest.