1. Child-Led Research: Samia Michail Principal Researcher - Program Development Social Justice Unit UnitingCare Children Young People and Families

2. Professor Mary Kellett http://childrens-research-centre.open.ac.uk/

3. “….takes us beyond children participating in research to a position where children lead their own enquiries…where they set the agendas, determine the foci for exploration, choose the methods of investigation and actively disseminate the findings…” Kellett, Mary (2009). Children as researchers: issues, impact and contribution to knowledge. In: Counting Children In! 2nd International Conference of Child Indicators, 3-5 Nov 2009, Sydney, Australia. Child – Led Research…

4. Why do CLR at UnitingCare? “To create a space for disadvantaged children to have a voice in the Burnside Centenary through innovative educational engagement.”

6. Where are we now? Research training component completed  Supporting children to finalise their research  Planning dissemination  Final stages of the evaluation

7. Evaluation NSW Commission for Children and Young People Children's Research Centre, Southern Cross University

13. Research Proposals http://www.becausechildrenmatter.org. au/education/child-led-research/

14. Challenges and Opportunities – What helped us respond? 1.Lots of consultation and planning 2.Management support 3.Experience /practice wisdom 4.Flexibility 5.Team work across practice and research domains

16. So…?  Is child-led research within an NGO practise context another strategy that can bridge this gap?  How might we develop and disseminate this sort of program for NGO’s?  Is there a place for child-led research programs in our current work around children's engagement at school?  Can child-led research increase our capacity for child-centred practise?

17. Contact details Sally Cowling Research and Program Development Manager Ph (02) 9407 3228 scowling@burnside.org.au Samia Michail Principal Researcher – Program Development Ph (02) 9407 3217 smichail@burnside.org.au