Overview
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
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).
Works
Search Professor Karen Healy’s works on UQ eSpace
2010
Book
The social work & human services workforce : Report from a national study of education, training and workforce needs
Healy, Karen and Lonne, Bob (2010). The social work & human services workforce : Report from a national study of education, training and workforce needs. Australia: Australian Council of Learning and Teaching.
2010
Journal Article
An institutional comparison of child protection systems in Australia and Norway focused on workforce retention
Healy, Karen and Oltedal, Siv (2010). An institutional comparison of child protection systems in Australia and Norway focused on workforce retention. Journal of Social Policy, 39 (2), 255-274. doi: 10.1017/S004727940999047X
2010
Journal Article
Approaches to assessment and intervention across four types of child and family welfare services
Darlington, Yvonne, Healy, Karen and Feeney, Judith (2010). Approaches to assessment and intervention across four types of child and family welfare services. Children and Youth Services Review, 32 (3), 356-364. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2009.10.005
2010
Book
Practice methods in context for social work and the human services [kit]
Harrison, Gai, Healy, K., Walsh, D., Bosly, F. and Caniglia, F. (2010). Practice methods in context for social work and the human services [kit]. [St. Lucia, Qld.]: School of Social Work and Human Services, University of Queensland.
2009
Journal Article
A case of mistaken identity The social welfare professions and New Public Management
Healy, Karen (2009). A case of mistaken identity The social welfare professions and New Public Management. Journal of Sociology, 45 (4), 401-418. doi: 10.1177/1440783309346476
2009
Journal Article
Retaining novices to become expert child protection practitioners: Creating career pathways in direct practice
Healy, Karen, Meagher, Gabrielle and Cullin, Joel (2009). Retaining novices to become expert child protection practitioners: Creating career pathways in direct practice. British Journal of Social Work, 39 (2), 299-317. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcm125
2009
Book Chapter
Strategic challenges in child welfare services: A comparative study of Australia, England and Sweden
Meagher, Gabrielle, Cortis, Natasha and Healy, Karen (2009). Strategic challenges in child welfare services: A comparative study of Australia, England and Sweden. Social Policy Review 21: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2009. (pp. 215-242) Policy Press.
2009
Book
Families on the fringe : Promoting the social inclusion of young families moving to non-metropolitan areas
Healy, Karen, Rawsthorne, Margot, Donnett, Amanda, Caniglia, Fiona, Hampshire, Anne and Michaux, Anne (2009). Families on the fringe : Promoting the social inclusion of young families moving to non-metropolitan areas. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: School of Social Work and Human Services, The University of Queensland.
2009
Book Chapter
Strategic challenges in child welfare services: A comparative study of Australia, England and Sweden
Meagher, Gabrielle, Cortis, Natasha and Healy, Karen (2009). Strategic challenges in child welfare services: A comparative study of Australia, England and Sweden. Social policy review 21: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2009. (pp. 215-239) edited by Kirstein Rummery, Ian Greener and Chris Holden. Bristol, United Kingdom: The Policy Press.
2009
Journal Article
Service user participation in diverse child protection contexts: principles for practice
Healy, Karen and Darlington, Yvonne (2009). Service user participation in diverse child protection contexts: principles for practice. Child and Family Social Work, 14 (4), 420-430. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2206.2009.00613.x
2009
Journal Article
Families on the fringe: mental health implications of the movement of young families to non-metropolitan areas
Rawsthorne, Margot, Hillman, Wendy and Healy, Karen (2009). Families on the fringe: mental health implications of the movement of young families to non-metropolitan areas. Rural Society, 19 (4), 306-317. doi: 10.5172/rsj.351.19.4.306
2009
Journal Article
Shifting the child protection juggernaut to earlier intervention
Humphreys, Cathy, Harries, Maria, Healy, Karen, Lonne, Bob, Mendes, Philip, McHugh, Marilyn and Sheehan, Rosemary (2009). Shifting the child protection juggernaut to earlier intervention. Children Australia, 34 (3), 5-8. doi: 10.1017/s1035077200000699
2009
Journal Article
Critical questions about the quest for clarity in child protection regimes
Healy, Karen (2009). Critical questions about the quest for clarity in child protection regimes. Communities, Children and Families Australia, 4 (1), 50-56.
2008
Journal Article
Critical commentary on 'social work as art revisited'
Healy, Karen (2008). Critical commentary on 'social work as art revisited'. International Journal of Social Welfare, 17 (2), 194-195. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2007.00565.x
2008
Journal Article
Young families migrating to non-metropolitan areas: Are they at increased risk of social exclusion?
Healy, Karen and Hillman, Wendy (2008). Young families migrating to non-metropolitan areas: Are they at increased risk of social exclusion?. Australian Journal of Social Issues, 43 (3), 479-497. doi: 10.1002/j.1839-4655.2008.tb00114.x
2008
Book Chapter
Social Work Practice Theories Frameworks
Connolly, Marie and Healy, Karen E. (2008). Social Work Practice Theories Frameworks. Social work: Contexts and practice. (pp. 37-52) edited by Marie Connolly and Louise Harms. South Melbourne, Vic., Australia: Oxford University Press.
2008
Journal Article
Change in volunteering roles: Managing change to build capacity
Healy, Karen, Lyons-Crew, Cate, Michaux, Annette and Gal, Inbal (2008). Change in volunteering roles: Managing change to build capacity. Australian Journal of Volunteering, 13 (1), 5-16.
2007
Journal Article
Becoming an industry: The struggle of social and community workers for award coverage, 1976-2001
Briggs, C., Meagher, G. and Healy, K. E. (2007). Becoming an industry: The struggle of social and community workers for award coverage, 1976-2001. Journal of Industrial Relations, 49 (4), 497-521. doi: 10.1177/0022185607080319
2007
Journal Article
Social Workers' preparation for child protection: Revisiting the question of specialisation
Healy, K. E. and Meagher, G. (2007). Social Workers' preparation for child protection: Revisiting the question of specialisation. Australian Social Work, 60 (3), 321-335. doi: 10.1080/03124070701519686
2007
Journal Article
Gender, social capital and location: Understanding the interactions
Healy, Karen E., Haynes, Michele A. and Hampshire, Anne (2007). Gender, social capital and location: Understanding the interactions. International Journal of Social Welfare, 16 (2), 110-118. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2006.00471.x
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Karen Healy is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
-
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
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
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Stability in Statutory Kinship Care : A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study of Placement Stability.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Debby Lynch
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Good Work, Decent Wages - A case study of the 2009 Pay Equity Campaign in Queensland's community services sector
Principal Advisor
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Sense of Coherence in Late Adolescence Following Involvement as a Child in Decision-Making During Parental Separation
Principal Advisor
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Valuing complex and diverse career pathways: The career trajectories and career-related choices of early career practitioners
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Life satisfaction in young immigrants and Australian young people: Change with socioeconomic status and time.
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
A study of non-government child welfare services in Taiwan focused on children in need of child welfare service intervention
Principal Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Collaborative practice in statutory child protection practice: Parental agreements and procedural justice
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Willing But Not Able? The experiences of mothers with intellectual disabilities in relation to the Queensland child protection system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
-
-
2013
Master Philosophy
Finding a Voice: The Fee-for-Service Social Work Experience: Insights from Practitioners.
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
`I wouldn't want my kids around him' : How men who use violence in their intimate relationships perceive themselves as fathers.
Principal Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
A systems science analysis of the context/s of child protection reform in Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Unheard voices: A study of parent participation in statutory child protection policy processes in Queensland
Principal Advisor
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
The Twisted Helix: a technology of "truth" A study of DNA paternity testing in child protection practice
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Henman
-
2007
Master Philosophy
Frontline Service Workers' conceptualisation of their Client's Anger and how it shapes their Practice
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Implementing and Evaluating Family Inclusive Practice in Adult Eating Disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Robyne Le Brocque
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
It's Never Too Late. Older Women and Sexual Violence: The Search for Therapeutic Solutions
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Parent and Staff Perceptions of Bereavement Support Surrounding Loss of a Child
Associate Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Building Knowledge for Policy and Practice in Out-of-Home Care: Exploring the Boundaries of Systematic Mapping
Associate Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Attachment Theory and Family System Theory: Conceptualisation of the Relationship Between These Theories and An Application to Permanency Planning
Associate Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the emergence, diffusion and continuance of intercountry adoption from South Korea to Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Redress for the Forgotten Australians. Assessing the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Care.
Joint Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Brian Head
Media
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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