Please find a number of research reports and documents pertaining to this topic area below.  If you know of another report or document you think should be housed in our research library please contact the BGK LLEN.

Title: Report of the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry
Release Date: March 2012
Background: The purpose of the Inquiry has been to meet the needs, improve the lives and secure the rights of Victoria's vulnerable children and young people, now and in the future. The Inquiry considered Victoria's system for protecting its vulnerable children and young people as a whole. The Inquiry aimed to produce a report that was forward-looking and solutions focused.
Report link: Report of the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry

Title: Interventions early in school as a means to improve higher education outcomes for disadvantaged (particularly low SES) students
Author: Trevor Gale
Source: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Release Date: 2010
Description: This research was promoted by concerns that the long-term under-representation of some population groups within higher education. This report includes a literature review, Australian and overseas case-studies and Australian university survey results.
Report link: Interventions early in school as a means to improve higher education outcomes for disadvantaged (particularly low SES) students

Title: Experiences of Poverty and Educational Disadvantage
Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Release date: 2007
Description: Children growing up in poverty and disadvantage are less likely to do well at school. This feeds into disadvantage in later life and in turn affects their children. To break this cycle, we need to address the attitudes and experiences that lie behind social differences in education.
Report download: Experiences of Poverty and Educational Disadvantage

Report: Catalyst-Clemente snapshot - Enhancing participation: New possibilities for disadvantaged Australians
Author: Mission Australia Research and Social Policy
Source: Mission Australia  
Date: April 2007
Description: Universities, community organisations and businesses across Australia are being encouraged to become involved in the Catalyst-Clemente program. The program offers a model of how university education can become accessible to disadvantaged Australians. It is a groundbreaking educational initiative which works with people who have faced, or continue to face, a range of issues, including mental and physical illness, addiction or homelessness. Catalyst-Clemente is jointly managed between the Australian Catholic University (ACU), Mission Australia and the St Vincent de Paul Society and uses the Arts and Humanities (eg. literature, drama) to build participants' self-esteem, create a feeling of community engagement and develop new possibilities for the future.
Report Download: Catalyst-Clemente snapshot

Title: Dropping off the Edge: the distribution of disadvantage in Australia
Author: Tony Vinson
Source: Jesuit Social Services  
Release Date: February 2007
Description: This research report identifies and describes the complex web of disadvantage that ensnares generations of Australians. This report, which maps levels of social disadvantage right across Australia, has found that despite our nation's recent strong economic growth, some communities remain caught in a spiral of low school attainment, high unemployment, poor health, high imprisonment rates and child abuse. The report also estimates that in Victoria, nearly one-third (33.1%) of all communities suffer from 'low social cohesion' - where inadequate levels of community reciprocity, trust and resources make it more difficult for individuals and families to overcome the individual and family problems that lead to poverty.
Report Download: Dropping off the Edge