Can a population-based approach to evidence-based parenting support reduce rates of child maltreatment in Australia? Results from the Every Family 2 trial

This presentation reports on the findings from a large scale evaluation of the effects of a population-based implementation of the Triple P system on rates of child maltreatment.

Using a quasi-experimental design we evaluated the effects of the Triple P system in 64 matched low socioeconomic areas in Queensland and New South Wales. The intervention involved close multidisciplinary, community collaboration across multiple agencies and sectors.  After two years of the intervention, there were significantly higher rates of awareness and participation in Triple P and lower rates of notifications (large effect size) and substantiations (medium effect size) of child maltreatment in Triple P systems communities (TPS) than in Care as Usual Communities (CAU). Learning and challenges involved in the implementation at scale of evidence ebased parenting support is discussed.

Professor Matthew Sanders

• Chief Investigator

• The University of Queensland

Dr Kylie Burke

• Associate Investigator

• Queensland Government Department of Health