Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention

There is strong evidence to suggest that children are negatively impacted by growing up in places where there are high levels of disadvantage present. However, these children can reap substantial developmental benefits (even more so than those who do not experience disadvantage) from access to and e...

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Main Authors: Jaimee Stuart, Michelle A. Krahe, Sara Branch, Mandy Gibson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2023-12-01
Series:Wellbeing, Space and Society
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558123000386
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author Jaimee Stuart
Michelle A. Krahe
Sara Branch
Mandy Gibson
author_facet Jaimee Stuart
Michelle A. Krahe
Sara Branch
Mandy Gibson
author_sort Jaimee Stuart
collection DOAJ
description There is strong evidence to suggest that children are negatively impacted by growing up in places where there are high levels of disadvantage present. However, these children can reap substantial developmental benefits (even more so than those who do not experience disadvantage) from access to and engagement with community and social services supporting health, education, and wellbeing. Yet, due to the complexity of service provision, access, and outcomes for children and families living in disadvantaged places, the service system in these contexts often is found to be ineffective in meeting the needs of the community. This study utilises a participatory approach, engaging service providers working with children and families in a disadvantaged place to identify key leverage points that have the potential to promote systems reform. Using participatory systems mapping, the findings illustrate aspirations (or the ideal state) of the service system that are characterised by early intervention, high levels of service coverage, and interconnected services, all of which enable wellbeing for children and families. User orientated and service orientated factors that act as barriers or enablers are also identified and key levers of service reform are discussed, particularly increasing accessibility of services and reducing vulnerability of service users.
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spelling doaj.art-ea5a38744b82488da29047933fb856662023-12-20T07:38:50ZengElsevierWellbeing, Space and Society2666-55812023-12-015100165Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for interventionJaimee Stuart0Michelle A. Krahe1Sara Branch2Mandy Gibson3United Nations University Institute in Macau, Macau (SAR), China; School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia; Corresponding author at: United Nations Institute in Macau, No 4, Casa Silva Mendes, Estrado. do Eng. Trigo, Macao (SAR), China.Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Australia; Health Group, Griffith University, Gold Coast, AustraliaOffice of the Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, AustraliaSchool of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Mount Gravatt, Australia; Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor Indigenous, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, AustraliaThere is strong evidence to suggest that children are negatively impacted by growing up in places where there are high levels of disadvantage present. However, these children can reap substantial developmental benefits (even more so than those who do not experience disadvantage) from access to and engagement with community and social services supporting health, education, and wellbeing. Yet, due to the complexity of service provision, access, and outcomes for children and families living in disadvantaged places, the service system in these contexts often is found to be ineffective in meeting the needs of the community. This study utilises a participatory approach, engaging service providers working with children and families in a disadvantaged place to identify key leverage points that have the potential to promote systems reform. Using participatory systems mapping, the findings illustrate aspirations (or the ideal state) of the service system that are characterised by early intervention, high levels of service coverage, and interconnected services, all of which enable wellbeing for children and families. User orientated and service orientated factors that act as barriers or enablers are also identified and key levers of service reform are discussed, particularly increasing accessibility of services and reducing vulnerability of service users.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558123000386Place-based disadvantageChildrenFamiliesComplexityService systemParticpatory systems mapping
spellingShingle Jaimee Stuart
Michelle A. Krahe
Sara Branch
Mandy Gibson
Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention
Wellbeing, Space and Society
Place-based disadvantage
Children
Families
Complexity
Service system
Particpatory systems mapping
title Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention
title_full Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention
title_fullStr Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention
title_full_unstemmed Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention
title_short Mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place-based-disadvantage: Potential leverage points for intervention
title_sort mapping the service system that supports children and families in the context of place based disadvantage potential leverage points for intervention
topic Place-based disadvantage
Children
Families
Complexity
Service system
Particpatory systems mapping
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666558123000386
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