Professor Karen Healy
Professor

Karen Healy

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 51847

Background

My research focuses on the protection and wellbeing of children, young people and their families. I use research co-design methods to collaborate with people, communities, and agencies to build family and community inclusive responses to human and health needs.

My research fields are: child protection, out-of-home care, health equity and social inclusion.

My research themes are:

a) peer-parent and family advocacy in child protection, mental health and other health services.

b) promoting the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of children, young people and families involved with child protection and out-of-home care services.

c) health equity and evidence-based approaches to family support in child protection, mental and other health services.

d) interprofessional health care to improve service access and equity with vulnerable populations.

In 2016, I was appointed a member of the Order of Australia (AM) for my contribution to social work in child protection, higher education and research. In September 2018, I was appointed Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Availability

Professor Karen Healy is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Human Society Policy and administration Social work

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Graduate Certificate of Applied Statistics, Swinburne University of Technology

Research impacts

I have led more than 25 applied research projects primarily in child and family welfare and in integrated health and community care with vulnerable and disadvantaged families.

These initiatives have contributed to improvements in parents and children's participation in child protection decision-making in policy and in practice. I currently lead an ARC Linkage project with four co-investigators and 8 industry partners, to understand and enhance the social and emotional well-being of children in Out of Home Care. I have supervised 31 Research Higher Degree students to completion of their projects.

I am Head of School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work. Prior to my appointment as Head of School in January 2023, I was Head of Discipline for Social Work and Counselling programs at The University of Queensland and member of the Australian Council of Heads of Schools of Social Work. As Head of Discipline, I have led the innovations in the use of practice and policy simulations to improve student preparation for practice at foundational and advanced levels.

I continue to hold senior advisory positions in industry and in my professional community. I am also: Community Services Commissioner and Chair of Clinical Care and Governance for Anglicare Southern Queensland; and research advisor to Micah Projects, an innovative community services agency aimed at building social inclusion. In my partnerships with Micah, I am pleased to have contributed to major social health initiatives, particularly the establishment of Young Mothers for Young Women (an integrated midwifery, family and peer support program), and to have supported parents to work with the Child Safety Minister and Agency to develop a Parents' Rights Charter, founded on Human Rights Principles.

My track record of leadership includes as: National President of the Australian Association of Social Workers (2011-2017); National Director of The Benevolent Society (2011-2019); National President for the Australian Association of Social Work and Welfare Education (2005-2009).

Search Professor Karen Healy’s works on UQ eSpace

109 works between 1995 and 2024
All (109) Journal Article (63) Book Chapter (20) Conference Publication (8) Book (13) Other Outputs (5)

1 - 20 of 109 works

2024

Journal Article

Approaches to Supporting Young People in Out-of-Home Care Who ‘Self-Place’ in Unapproved Locations: Perspectives of Statutory Child Protection Practitioners

Venables, Jemma, Warrell, Chloe, Cullin, Joel, Ellem, Kathy and Healy, Karen (2024). Approaches to Supporting Young People in Out-of-Home Care Who ‘Self-Place’ in Unapproved Locations: Perspectives of Statutory Child Protection Practitioners. The British Journal of Social Work. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcae131

Approaches to Supporting Young People in Out-of-Home Care Who ‘Self-Place’ in Unapproved Locations: Perspectives of Statutory Child Protection Practitioners

2024

Journal Article

The emotional terrain of foster and kinship carers’ relationships with parents of children in care: Carers’ perspectives

Healy, Karen, Venables, Jemma, Povey, Jenny, Baxter, Janeen, Scull, Sue, Thompson, Kate and Boman, Madonna (2024). The emotional terrain of foster and kinship carers’ relationships with parents of children in care: Carers’ perspectives. Children and Youth Services Review, 161 107672, 107672. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107672

The emotional terrain of foster and kinship carers’ relationships with parents of children in care: Carers’ perspectives

2024

Journal Article

Stability in statutory kinship care: a grounded theory study of placement stability in Australia

Clarke, Annaley, Healy, Karen, Lynch, Debby and Featherstone, Gerald (2024). Stability in statutory kinship care: a grounded theory study of placement stability in Australia. Children and Youth Services Review, 156 107289, 107289. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107289

Stability in statutory kinship care: a grounded theory study of placement stability in Australia

2023

Journal Article

Navigating the Australian child protection system: the importance of formal and informal support for carers to effectively provide care to children in out‐of‐home care

Venables, Jemma, Povey, Jenny, Boman, Madonna, Healy, Karen, Baxter, Janeen, Austerberry, Sophie and Thompson, Kate (2023). Navigating the Australian child protection system: the importance of formal and informal support for carers to effectively provide care to children in out‐of‐home care. Child and Family Social Work. doi: 10.1111/cfs.13106

Navigating the Australian child protection system: the importance of formal and informal support for carers to effectively provide care to children in out‐of‐home care

2023

Journal Article

Looked after children's right to contact with birth parents: an Australian study

Healy, Karen, Walsh, Tamara, Venables, Jemma and Thompson, Kate (2023). Looked after children's right to contact with birth parents: an Australian study. Child and Family Social Work, 28 (3), 659-668. doi: 10.1111/cfs.12992

Looked after children's right to contact with birth parents: an Australian study

2023

Journal Article

Supporting birth parents’ relationships with children following removal: a scoping review

Healy, Karen, Venables, Jemma and Walsh, Tamara (2023). Supporting birth parents’ relationships with children following removal: a scoping review. Children and Youth Services Review, 149 106961, 106961. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106961

Supporting birth parents’ relationships with children following removal: a scoping review

2023

Journal Article

How do sector level factors influence trust violations in not-for-profit organizations? A multilevel model

Gillespie, Nicole, Anesa, Mattia, Lizzio-Wilson, Morgana, Chapman, Cassandra, Healy, Karen and Hornsey, Matthew (2023). How do sector level factors influence trust violations in not-for-profit organizations? A multilevel model. Journal of Business Ethics, 191 (2), 1-26. doi: 10.1007/s10551-023-05429-6

How do sector level factors influence trust violations in not-for-profit organizations? A multilevel model

2023

Conference Publication

Optimising outcomes for children in out-of-home care: strengthening social support systems for carers

Povey, Jenny, Venables, Jemma, Bowman, Madonna, Healy, Karen, Baxter, Janeen, Austerberry, Sophie and Thompson, Kate (2023). Optimising outcomes for children in out-of-home care: strengthening social support systems for carers. Anglicare Southern Queensland Research Forum, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 10 May 2023.

Optimising outcomes for children in out-of-home care: strengthening social support systems for carers

2023

Conference Publication

Family socioeconomic status and socio-emotional well-being in middle childhood: a life course perspective

Kolesnikova, Iryna, Povey, Jenny, Baxter, Janeen, Healy, Karen and San Martin Porter, Macarena (2023). Family socioeconomic status and socio-emotional well-being in middle childhood: a life course perspective. 2023 Australian Social Policy Conference (ASPC): Social Policy for Social Change, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 11-13 September 2023.

Family socioeconomic status and socio-emotional well-being in middle childhood: a life course perspective

2023

Journal Article

The use of a constructivist grounded theory method - a good fit for social work research

Clarke, Annaley, Healy, Karen, Lynch, Deborah and Featherstone, Gerald (2023). The use of a constructivist grounded theory method - a good fit for social work research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. doi: 10.1177/16094069231186257

The use of a constructivist grounded theory method - a good fit for social work research

2023

Conference Publication

Family socioeconomic status and socio-emotional wellbeing in middle childhood: insights from Australia

Kolesnikova, Iryna, Povey, Jenny, Baxter, Janeen, Healy, Karen and San Martin Porter, Maca (2023). Family socioeconomic status and socio-emotional wellbeing in middle childhood: insights from Australia. 2023 SLLS Annual International Conference: Life Courses in Times of Uncertainty, Munich, Germany, 9-11 October 2023.

Family socioeconomic status and socio-emotional wellbeing in middle childhood: insights from Australia

2023

Journal Article

Comparing apples with oranges? Practitioner perspectives on the inconsistencies between family law and child protection

Walsh, Tamara, Healy, Karen and Venables, Jemma (2023). Comparing apples with oranges? Practitioner perspectives on the inconsistencies between family law and child protection. Australian Journal of Family Law, 36, 154-172.

Comparing apples with oranges? Practitioner perspectives on the inconsistencies between family law and child protection

2022

Journal Article

Are human rights ‘toothless’ in Australian child protection matters? Perspectives of lawyers and social workers

Walsh, Tamara, Healy, Karen, Venables, Jemma and Thompson, Kate (2022). Are human rights ‘toothless’ in Australian child protection matters? Perspectives of lawyers and social workers. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 36 (1) ebac028, 1-16. doi: 10.1093/lawfam/ebac028

Are human rights ‘toothless’ in Australian child protection matters? Perspectives of lawyers and social workers

2022

Journal Article

Working with families of adults affected by eating disorders: uptake, key themes, and participant experiences of family involvement in outpatient treatment-as-usual

Fleming, Carmel, Byrne, Jacqueline, Healy, Karen and Le Brocque, Robyne (2022). Working with families of adults affected by eating disorders: uptake, key themes, and participant experiences of family involvement in outpatient treatment-as-usual. Journal of Eating Disorders, 10 (1) 88, 88. doi: 10.1186/s40337-022-00611-z

Working with families of adults affected by eating disorders: uptake, key themes, and participant experiences of family involvement in outpatient treatment-as-usual

2022

Book

Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice

Healy, Karen (2022). Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice. 3rd ed. London, United Kingdom: Bloomsbury.

Social work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice

2021

Conference Publication

The right to family contact following child removal: Will the Human Rights Act make a difference

Healy, Karen, Venables, Jemma, Walsh, Tamara and Thompson, Kate (2021). The right to family contact following child removal: Will the Human Rights Act make a difference. 26th Asia-Pacific Regional Social Work Conference (hosted by IFSW & AASW), Online, 11-13 November 2021.

The right to family contact following child removal: Will the Human Rights Act make a difference

2021

Journal Article

Mind the gap: incorporating writing skills into practice simulations

Healy, Karen and Drayton, John (2021). Mind the gap: incorporating writing skills into practice simulations. Social Work Education, 41 (8), 1-19. doi: 10.1080/02615479.2021.1962270

Mind the gap: incorporating writing skills into practice simulations

2021

Book Chapter

Diversifying inclusive research with young people

Healy, Karen (2021). Diversifying inclusive research with young people. Involving methods in youth research: reflections on participation and power. (pp. 261-266) edited by Trine Wulf-Andersen, Reidun Follesø and Terje Olsen. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-75941-4_11

Diversifying inclusive research with young people

2021

Journal Article

How are families included in the treatment of adults affected by eating disorders? A scoping review

Fleming, Carmel, Le Brocque, Robyne and Healy, Karen (2021). How are families included in the treatment of adults affected by eating disorders? A scoping review. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 54 (3), 244-279. doi: 10.1002/eat.23441

How are families included in the treatment of adults affected by eating disorders? A scoping review

2021

Journal Article

Mind mapping as a pragmatic solution for evaluation: A critical reflection through two case studies

Avdagic, Elbina, May, Fiona, McClean, Tom, Shackleton, Fiona, Wade, Catherine and Healy, Karen (2021). Mind mapping as a pragmatic solution for evaluation: A critical reflection through two case studies. Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation, 26, 1-19. doi: 10.7275/sqqw-ht68

Mind mapping as a pragmatic solution for evaluation: A critical reflection through two case studies

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2028
    Supporting Healthy Lifestyle Choices to Promote Mental Health & Wellbeing of Indigenous Youth Aging-Out-of-Care in Urban Settings
    NHMRC-Canadian Institutes of Health Research Healthy Cities Implementation Science Team Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Enhancing Children's Journey in Out-of-Home Care: A Multi-perspective Study
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Evaluation of Home and Healthy
    Micah Projects Inc
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Enhancing outcomes for young people in out-of-home care who 'self-place': optimising practice and policy responses
    UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Defining Red Flags
    Queensland Family and Child Commission
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Establishing a longitudinal study of health and social care for young families in the Caboolture region
    Micah Projects Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Intensive Family Support (IFS) Implementation and Impact Evaluation
    Parenting Research Centre Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Behind a moral shield: Responses to trust breaches in mission-based groups
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Trust breaches in the not-for-profit sector: Causes, consequences and solutions
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Analysis of Child Protection Operating Model
    KPMG
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    A Study of Best Practice in Intervention with Parental Agreement: Creating Change with Families in Statutory Child Protection Services
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    A study of best practice in workplace support and development of newly qualified community services workers
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Developing an integrated national curriculum for the education of the social work and human services workforce
    Carrick Discipline Studies
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Participatory Decision Making and Policy Production in Child Welfare
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Families on the Fringe: Promoting the Social Inclusion of Young Families who have Relocated to Non-Metropolitan Areas
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Citizen Engagement in Decision-Making and Policy Development in Child and Family Welfare
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Enhancing volunteer capacity to maximise the volunteer resources for contextually diverse community organisations
    Australian Catholic University
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Practical Policy Responses to the Social Relocation of Young Families with High Needs to the Coastal and Regional Areas of Qld and NSW
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Enhancing services to Australian children and families: linking workforce characteristics, job quality, and quality and outcomes in social services
    University of Sydney
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Karen Healy is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Decision-making in an Adults Emergency Department regarding child protection concerns

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Peer parent and family advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families within the child protection system

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Tracey Bunda, Dr Jemma Venables

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessment Models for Differential Diagnosis in Child Development: Understanding Neurodevelopment in the Context of Childhood Trauma

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Carmel Fleming, Dr Robyne Le Brocque

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The role of leaders in mitigating and responding to psychological injury risks in socio-legal services.

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jemma Venables, Dr Dorothee Hölscher

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Enhancing Children's Journey in Out-of-Home Care:A Multi-perspective Study (a focus on kinship care among Indigenous families)

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jemma Venables

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The impact of out-of-home care on children's social-emotional wellbeing: A life course approach

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Janeen Baxter, Dr Maca San Martin Porter, Associate Professor Jenny Povey

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Karen Healy directly for media enquiries about:

  • Child abuse
  • Child protection systems - national and international practice
  • Child protection work
  • Education - social work
  • Professional identity
  • Social welfare organisations
  • Social work
  • Social work education
  • Teaching social work

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