Research Application Guidelines

The Department for Child Protection research application guidelines apply to DCP staff, external researchers and organisations, and student researchers undertaking research involving DCP services, sites, policies or programs; DCP staff, clients or data; or activities delivered on behalf of DCP.

Support may be provided to research projects through in-kind assistance, such as access to data, clients and staff, and limited investment may be considered for highly relevant proposals. Research projects may be commissioned by DCP, or conducted by DCP staff, researchers or students using DCP data, upon approval.

Legislative and policy context

Research must comply with relevant legislation and policy, including:

  • the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017
  • the SA Public Sector (Data Sharing) Act 2016
  • the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016, which requires a Working with Children Check
  • the Information Privacy Principles (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)
  • the Intellectual Property Policy (2017)
  • the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
  • the National Agreement on Closing the Gap

Research principles

Research involving DCP needs to provide evidence that it is child-centric, and that both the research activities and the outputs of the research prioritise the safety, wellbeing and rights of children and young people.

It should be outcome-focused and reciprocal, delivering practical and accessible findings that support implementation into policy and practice while providing value back to participants and stakeholders. It should be participatory and collaborative, involving stakeholders including children, families and practitioners through co-design and genuine engagement at every phase.

Research must also be trauma-informed and expert-led, applying trauma-informed approaches and led by suitably qualified, experienced researchers with strong risk management and ethical safeguards in place. It should be conducted to a high standard of research excellence, with researchers demonstrating relevant expertise and the ability to work safely and effectively with vulnerable populations.

Aboriginal Research Considerations

DCP recognises the importance of Aboriginal self-determination in research. Research involving Aboriginal children, young people and communities must be led or governed by Aboriginal people, organisations or communities, reflect Aboriginal priorities, and take a holistic approach that includes connections to family, community and culture. Research must align with recognised ethical frameworks and protocols and engage with the Aboriginal Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC) where required. DCP acknowledges national work underway, including the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) leadership in developing Aboriginal-led research priorities.

How research applications are assessed

Applications are assessed against the Research Assessment Criteria, which consider:

  • alignment with DCP’s current strategic and operational priorities
  • ethical and governance requirements
  • the feasibility of the proposed research
  • the potential impact and benefits of the research.

Following assessment, applications are submitted to the Chief Executive for approval. Applicants will be advised of the outcome once a decision has been made.

View the Research Assessment Criteria (DOCX, 207.2 KB).

How to Apply

Step 1: Contact the Research and Evaluation Team to discuss your proposed research and alignment DCPResearchandEvaluation@sa.gov.au.

Step 2: Ensure that your application meets Research Assessment Criteria (DOCX, 207.2 KB)

Step 3: Complete and submit application form Research Application Form (DOCX, 1.9 MB)

Research agreements and ethics approval

If a research application is approved, applicants will be asked to enter into a Research Agreement (DOCX, 90.7 KB) covering intellectual property, project funding (where applicable), confidentiality and copyright, dispute resolution, and reporting obligations.

Research cannot commence until the signed Research Agreement is in place and full ethics approval has been received. As above, research with a substantive focus on Aboriginal children, young people, families or carers also requires AHREC approval.

Signed agreements should be returned to DCPResearchandEvaluation@sa.gov.au

Publications

‘Publication’ includes any public communication of research findings, such as reports, articles, books, presentations, conference papers, media releases and interviews.

All publications require prior approval. Requests should be submitted to the Research and Evaluation Team, with final approval provided by the Chief Executive. Conditions and timeframes are set out in the Research Agreement.

Monitoring and support

The Research and Evaluation Team supports research projects by facilitating access to data where approved, coordinating project governance in line with the signed Research Agreement, and connecting researchers with relevant DCP staff and initiatives to strengthen the project’s impact. The team can also discuss data requirements for a project before a formal application is submitted.

Downloads

Contact

Department for Child Protection – Research and Evaluation Team
Email: DCPResearchandEvaluation@sa.gov.au