Social Work and Social Policy - Ms Susan Ceri Reidpath Diamond

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) Western Australian Institute of Technology

Research Interest:

Completing my PhD, and looking at the role and responsibility of the State in relation to children and families ('The State as Parent') on a part-time basis. Areas of interest include:

Child rights and social justice
Social policy development
International social work practice
Evidence-based practice
Systemic/structural change

Profile:

I am both a student and a staff member in the Discipline of Social Work and Social Policy. From July 2004 I have been in the position of Acting Director, Centre for Research, Policy and Practice for Vulnerable Children and Families. I am also a part-time doctoral candidate.

Prior to becoming the Acting Director of the new Centre for Research, I was Principal Policy Officer with the Legislation Unit in the Department for Community Development. With twenty-five years experience in the fields of welfare and health, both in Western Australia and overseas, I have held positions in direct service delivery; legislative, policy and programme development; corporate strategic planning; management support and training - in government, the private sector and as a consultant.

Affiliations:

Board Member Wanslea Family Services
Member Western Australian Council of Social Services

Conference Papers:

Clare, M. Diamond, S. and Harries, M. (2003) Managing Risk in Child Protection: Implications of Alternatives to Mandatory Reporting Evdience 'For' and 'Against' Mandatory Reporting; 9th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney, NSW, 24-27 November.

Harries, M. and Diamond, S. (2003) Enhancing Service Delivery to Children and Families: What is the Evidence for and Against the Mandatory Reporting of Child Maltreatment; BASPCAN 5th NATIONAL CONGRESS Child Maltreatment Strengthening the Links: Research, Policy and Practice, York University, UK, 20-23 July 2003.

Diamond, S.C.R. (2003) Creating Space for Children in Government - a qualitative research journey in progress, Interdisciplinary Writings in the Social Sciences Postgradaute Conference, ANU Canberra, Thursday-Friday 17-18 July 2003.

Ash, S. and Diamond, S.C.R. (2000) Children in Care - Meeting their Parenting Needs, 7th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney, NSW, 24-27 July 2000.

Publications:

Diamond, S. and Villaflor, R. (2001) The Development of Services for Aboriginal People: Information from the Literature, Deparmtent for Community Development, Perth, Western Australia.

Funding:

Harries, M., Harris, P., Mackenzie, G. and Diamond, S. (2003) Caring Well - Protecing Well: Investing in systemic responses to protect children in WA, Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection, WA, $50,000.

Research:

Harries, M. and Clare, M. (Project Leaders), Susan Bailey, Tania Bell, Wayne Brush, Brenda Clare, Susan Diamond, Nicola Farray, Dr Ranjit Kumar, Philippa white (Research Associates) (2002) Mandatory Reporting of child Abuse: Evidence and Options: Report for the Western Australian Child Protection Council, Discipline of Social Work and Social Policy, The University of Western Australia, July.

Diamond, S.C.R. (995) Out of Home, Preventative and Alternative Care (OHPAC) Planning and Co-ordination Committee Literature Review, OHPA Committee, Family and Children's Services, Western Australia.