In this paper, issues relating to access for the child in alternative care are explored. The various purposes of access are discussed and the major types described. Considerations for decisions regarding the type, setting, duration and frequency of access are discussed and ways of supporting the child afterwards are briefly examined.

The literature reveals greater emphasis on the causes and consequences of child abuse than on its prevention. A field study in an Australian capital city shows that while substantial amounts of information and services for people experiencing problems with parenting exist in the community, access to these sources is problematic. Improvements in efficiency or increases in funding will not, by themselves resolve the problem and strategies to change the more fundamental problem of public denial of the problem of child abuse will be required.

This paper outlines the basic characteristics of intensive family preservation programs which have very recently been introduced into the child welfare systems of most Australian States. Typically these programs have been used to prevent placement or to assist families whose children are being returned to their care. Highly intensive and with 24 hour availability these short-term services draw on a range of theoretical approaches and are delivered in the family's home and natural environment. It is argued that Australia should avoid both the ‘cultural cringe’ and the ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’ in assessing what intensive family preservation services may have to offer us.

This article cites the international research evidence that supports family centred group care practice. A working definition, the key assumption and an orientation to group care and family work compatible with family centred group care practice is then articulated. This is followed by a set of practice guidelines and identification of the key characteristics of family centred group care agencies.

In many areas of human services delivery high quality service provision is only possible through inter-agency co-ordination. This article discusses the literature as applied to school aged children and adolescents suffering with emotional, psychological, behavioural and social disturbances although the issues and principles have much wider applicability. Enthusiasm and goodwill are essential but insufficient components of good co-ordination. Also necessary is the development of co-ordinative structures. The paper is the first in a series of three. It defines concepts essential to a discussion of the area, looks at some general issues and describes models used in three American States which could be adapted to local conditions. The second paper will look at the collaborative efforts taken to adapt the ideas presented in this paper In a region of Metropolitan Melbourne and the third will present the model which evolved through the collaborative process.

Young people in care need assistance to develop the skills and support networks necessary for successful independence. The Transition from Care Program was developed by the Department of Family Services and Islander Affairs in Queensland to meet this need. The authors describe this program and provide the details of a study conducted to compare the social circumstances, over time, of a group of young people who participated in the program. It was found that the young people became progressively better prepared for independence over the period of the study.

Definitions of competent practice which were developed by a team of child protection workers are reexamined in light of current debates about enterprise competency standards. Such definitions indicate that competence is more aptly analysed in terms of the nature of workers' process objectives and their capacity to work within tensions and contradictions than in terms of listings of specific skills and knowledge.

In order to improve attempts at the prevention of child abuse, a large scale program to change community attitudes and behaviours is required. An approach based on the Yale model of persuasion is described. The particular messages to be promoted are discussed with an emphasis on positive rather than punitive messages. Alternatives to officialdom for making contact and for delivery of assistance to carers under stress are seen as desirable, including additional programs at local neighbourhood level. A series of recommendations which reflect principles known to be effective in changing attitudes and behaviour is made.

While it is universally accepted that residential child care workers have a key role to play in the quality of services for children in care, the working conditions of many staff are poor and do not reflect the importance of their work. Very little research has been undertaken which focuses on the needs of residential child care staff. The following study examined the factors affecting the job satisfaction of residential child care workers in Melbourne, Australia.

Recently I was idly leafing through one of our State's educational review magazines. My attention was immediately captivated by a headline which read ‘Students to be empowered as consumers’. ‘At last’, I thought, as I dived in to consume the article, ‘even the education system is going to empower students in their role as consumers of school life’. I'm sure you can imagine my disappointment when I discovered that in fact the education department was introducing a program of teaching students to be good retail consumers. You know the kind - Levis versus Corfu, MacDonald versus Hungry Jacks, Revlon versus Shiseido, Dolly versus Juice, hip versus funk - the type of purchasing traumas we all experience from time to time.

Readers will be aware of the establishment of the Australian Association of Young People in Care (AAYPIC) mentioned in both Jan Owen's earlier report for Children Australia (vol. 19, no. 2) and Meredith Kiraly's report in this issue. The first conference was held in Sydney in September of this year, offering young people and workers a chance to air their ideas and experiences of life in care situations. Many also had the opportunity to contribute to the Social Worker's Conference which was also happening in Sydney on the same weekend.

Following are some perspectives from a few who were involved.