About the Centre of Research Excellence (CRE)
Our program, called STARS for Kids, aims to change the way we think about child development and family support. This is the first program of its kind in the world, and it was codesigned with families and communities. It will change how services are delivered by bringing health and social care together in a tiered format, providing different levels of support based on needs, so families don’t have to deal with confusing or disconnected services. By connecting different parts of the system, this joined-up care will better meet the whole needs of children and families, leading to better health, stronger families, and better value for the community.
Instead of focusing only on a "one size fit all" approach or what’s "wrong" or using strict labels and diagnoses, we are creating a new, strengths-based model to provide the right level of support at the right place and time and focus on what families and children can do, helping them grow, thrive, and succeed—no matter their background.
CRE Themes
This CRE will have nine projects under the four main themes:
Theme 1: Integrate new knowledge via synthesis of evidence and codesign with consumers and community
First, we will look at all the research that already exists to understand how positive childhood experiences can help improve child development, especially for children in priority groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and families living in rural or regional areas. Next, we will work with families, local services, and community leaders to help design how the STARS for Kids program can grow and be used in real-life settings. This includes using a special research method (called a Delphi study) to bring everyone together to agree on the best way to make it work.
Theme 2: Implement and evaluate strengths-based integrated tiered care program
We will carefully test how well the STARS for Kids program works in real-life situations. This means conducting research by putting the program into action and finding out if the program is effective in identifying and supporting children and families in need. We will also use a proven framework (called the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research) that helps us understand what makes programs succeed. We’ll look at how the STARS for Kids program improves early identification of child and family needs, and how it helps connect families to the right health and social care services. We’ll also study the cost-effectiveness of the program, making sure it provides good value for money. Importantly, we’ll focus on how well STARS for Kids helps build Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and strengthens family and community resilience, so that all children have the support they need to thrive.
Theme 3: Incorporate learnings via policy and service translation
We will make sure that what we learn through the STARS for Kids CRE leads to real and lasting improvements in policy and service delivery. Research alone is not enough, as we must actively translate these findings into practical actions that benefit children and families, especially those in priority populations. By working closely with governments, health and social care services, and community organisations, we will ensure that evidence from the STARS for Kids program informs how services are designed, funded, and delivered. We will engage in inclusive knowledge translation activities to share findings in ways that are accessible and useful to different groups, from parents and carers to frontline workers. These efforts will help embed strengths-based, family-centred care into existing systems, shifting away from narrow, risk-focused approaches. We will also develop a national implementation blueprint, codesigned with communities, to guide how the STARS for Kids program can be scaled across Australia. We will bridge the gap between research and practice, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to the support they need to thrive.
Theme 4: Increase research capacity and collaboration
We will create a training and skills framework to help health and community workers support families in a way that focuses on strengths and hope, not just problems. This work will be guided by the HOPE framework (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences), with a special focus on working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal families and other families facing disadvantage. We’re doing this in partnership with our international collaborators at Tufts Medical Center in the USA, who developed the HOPE approach. Together, and with input from families, service providers, and other key voices, we’ll make sure the training is inclusive, practical, and grounded in what matters most to communities.