Research at Northcott
Northcott Disability Services is committed to providing high quality services in building an inclusive society and continuing to learn about the best way to do this. Research is one way to make sure we are doing what is best.
It is important to us at Northcott that research is conducted in a way that is thorough, ethical and relevant to Northcott’s work. All of the systems we have in place at Northcott to guide the way research is conducted are governed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. Details about how research is carried out at Northcott are available in Northcott’s Research Policy and Procedure.
Please feel free contact us if you would like further information about Research Governance at Northcott.
Contact us
For more information on research at Northcott OR if you are a Northcott client (including family members and carers) or a staff member and you have a research idea please contact the Planning and Development Unit on (02) 9890 0100 or email: pduenquiries@northcott.com.au
Northcott Research Fund
There are a number of ways that Northcott is involved in research, via links with universities and through the Northcott Research Fund. The Northcott Research Fund aims to support staff and clients of Northcott to undertake research.
Clients and staff of Northcott Disability Services, have the opportunity to undertake research with financial and mentor assistance from Northcott. The Northcott Research Fund, a unique initiative, aims to support the development of a research culture within our organisation.
These are exciting times for Northcott – Applications for the 2012 Northcott Research Fund are now open!
Applications now open for Northcott's 2013 PhD Scholarship
Northcott is supportive of continued learning and is pleased to offer the Northcott PhD Scholarship for 2013.
The Northcott PhD Scholarship is an exciting opportunity available to a scholar who wishes to complete research in the disability sector. The scholarship is available for three years at a rate of $29,000 per year tax free, approximately equivalent to that offered by the related National Health and Medical Research Council postgraduate scholarships scheme.
The scholarship is open to those with a demonstrable commitment to the sector; being a client or employee of Northcott is not a pre-requisite.
For further information, including the selection criteria, click here to view the letter of introduction.
To apply, click here for the application form. Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 14 September 2012.
Community Research Partnerships
Northcott has been provided with funding from Ageing, Disability & Home Care to conduct three Therapy Research Projects. Each of the projects will provide services in Sydney and a regional town. Northcott will be evaluating the service delivery model of each of these projects in collaboration with a university. These universities will work alongside Northcott staff to evaluate the projects.
Click on the name of the study below to find out more about the project currently being undertaken:
Helping to Make Changes: A project to assist adults in transition
Early Intervention Assistive Technology
Kunghah & Guwaala-y School Readiness Program
OTHER PROJECTS
Sometimes other agencies contact Northcott about research they are conducting when they think the study may be related to what we are doing at Northcott. Below are some other projects that might interest you:
Please note, Northcott do not run, operate nor are they directly involved in these projects. These projects are promoted on the Northcott website after being assessed for suitability and relevance to clients and Northcott values using an organisation-specific criteria. As Northcott does not have any direct involvement in these projects individuals are responsible for deciding whether to take part.
The University of Sydney Medical Program's "My Patient" Project
Supporting women with physical disabilities in abusive relationships
Older people with intellectual disabilities and dementia
Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register
The Nest
Investigating Relinquishment of Care of a Family Member with a Disability
Australian Child Wellbeing Project
Siblings, young people and relational experiences of disability
School choice for parents of children with a disability or special educational needs in New South Wales
Project title: Helping to Make Changes: A project to assist adults in transition
Funding Partner: Department of Family & Community Services-Ageing, Disability & Home Care
Investigators: Ms Terri Mears, Northcott Disability Services, Dr Clare Wilding, Charles Sturt University, A/Prof Michael Curtin, Charles Sturt University, Dr Leah Wiseman, Charles Sturt University
Summary: The Adult Transition Project is providing flexible therapy funding and case management support to twenty people with a childhood onset disability aged 40-65 years. This funding is assisting to support the twenty people during a significant change or transition in their life. A transition can be a period of change in work, living situation, significant relationships, and/ or health that causes people to change the way they live, what they do, where they live, or with whom they live. The participants can use the funding to purchase therapy services (such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychology, and/or physiotherapy) to assist them to move successfully through their transition.
The Adult Transition Project will also include gathering people’s stories of their experiences of transitions. Any person with a childhood-onset remove childhood-onset and replace with life-long disability, who is aged 40-65 years and who lives in New South Wales can contribute a story about a transition. People who are carers or guardians of a person with a childhood-onset disability, who is aged 40-65 years and who lives in New South Wales can also contribute a story as a proxy for the person with a disability, with that person’s consent. We are also gathering stories from family members, friends, and people who provide services to people with life-long disabilities. These stories will assist Northcott to better understand the types of transition experiences that people with disabilities face and the kinds of supports that might be needed for successful transitions.
The information that will be gathered by the Adult Transition Project will be used to inform future service delivery to people with a childhood onset disability aged 40-65 years.
Status: The project has received ethical approval from the Charles Sturt University Human Research Ethics Committee. Northcott is currently recruiting participants to share their stories of their experiences of transition for this project.
Completion Date: 30 June 2013
Further Information & how to become involved in this project:
Information sheet about interviews
Information sheet about surveys
Adult Flexible Therapy - Riverina/Murray
Adult Flexible Therapy - South West Sydney
Project title: Early Intervention Assistive Technology
Funding Partner: Department of Family & Community Services - Ageing, Disability & HomeCare
Investigators: Ms Haley Gozzard, Mr Michael Berryman, Ms Deanna Davy & Ms Terri Mears, Northcott Disability Services.
Summary: The Early Intervention Assistive Technology Project is providing a range of assistive technology services to children aged 0-6 years attending six early childhood centres, the centre staff and their parents/carers. The assistive technology is providing the children with access to activities that they may have difficulties participating in, such as communication, using a computer or playing with toys. The types of assistive technology Northcott has introduced to the centres include communication books or devices, a different mouse or computer keyboard, or the use of switches to play with toys or the computer. The team are providing Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Early Education services to the children that require further assistance to access the assistive technology. The families and early childhood centres are also being provided with training and support to develop their capacity to include assistive technology within their everyday activities. The effectiveness of the service provision, training and support provided to all the participants in the project is being evaluated to inform future service delivery for young children. Ethics approval for this project was provided by Royal Rehabilitation Centre Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee.
Status: The children, their families and the staff at the six centres are actively participating in the project through a range of activities including training, therapy intervention and home visits.
Completion Date: 31 June 2012
Project title: Kunghah & Guwaala-y School Readiness Program
Funding Partner: Department of Family & Community Services - Ageing, Disability & Home Care
Investigators: Ms Terri Mears, Northcott Disability Services, Dr, Karen Fisher, University of New South Wales, Ms Ariella Meltzer, University of New South Wales, Dr Christiane Purcal, University of New South Wales
Summary: The Aboriginal School Readiness program will assist and support the development of school readiness skills for Aboriginal children aged 0 to 8 years and enhance the capacity of Aboriginal families, community members, and preschool/school staff to support the children in an ongoing way. The school readiness program will provide therapy, education and information services in playgroups, preschools and schools to the children and their families. These children may have undiagnosed disabilities, a developmental delay or limited school readiness skills. Education sessions, practical strategies and resources will be provided to parents, families, teachers and local communities to support the children’s transition to school. This program will be provided in a Sydney metropolitan area and a regional town. In collaboration with the Social Research Policy Centre at the University of New South Wales, Northcott will evaluate the effectiveness of this model of therapy service in assisting Aboriginal children to transition to school and remain engaged in the school environment.
Status: The Aboriginal Medical Services in the communities where this program will be provided have granted Northcott permission to work in their local community. This project has received ethical approval from the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee. Northcott is currently recruiting participants for this project.
Completion Date: 30 September 2013
Further Information and how to become involved in this project:
Guwaala-y School Readiness Project
Kung-hah School Readiness Project
Project title: “My Patient” Project
Investigators: The University of Sydney Medical Program
Summary: The aim of the “My Patient” Program is to help medical students understand the impact of chronic disease (i.e. cerebral palsy) on patients, and their family and friends, beyond the hospital environment. To do this, they will be asked to follow a person living with a chronic health problem over a period of up to 14 months.
Participants are being asked to share their experience of chronic illness with a medical student. This can be done by (with participant consent):
• Meeting at a mutually agreeable place to discuss their experiences. This could be at home, a clinic or another suitable public place.
• Meeting with the participant’s family or carers.
• Accompanying the participant to a health care service appointment as an observer.
• Contacting participant’s by phone, email or other means (e.g. Skype) if face-to-face meetings are impractical.
• Recording contacts either electronically or in writing.
The content of these meetings may include but are not limited to:
• A history of the participant’s experience and a profile of their personal risk factors and preventative strategies for their illness(es).
• A profile of their community and a discussion about where they live, and how that affects their health and health care.
• Questions about the costs of their health care, how they manage that and what impact cost has on their ability to receive care.
• Their understanding of health messages about their condition given to them by doctors, organizations and the media.
• Cultural issues impacting on their health care. These might be, for example, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, or socio-economic status.
Contact between the participant and medical student would take place approximately every six to eight weeks between 1 April 2012 and 30 June 2013. There would be no more than six contacts over that time period. The time is negotiable between the participant and the student but it is anticipated that no single contact would need to exceed one hour in duration. The maximum time commitment over the 14 month period is 6 hours.
Status: The University of Sydney Medical Program is currently recruiting participants to share their stories of their experiences of transition for this project.
Completion Date: 30 June 2013
Further Information & how to become involved in this project:
For further information or to register your interest, please contact Ms Jennifer Walsh on 9351 5102 or via jennifer.walsh@sydney.edu.au
Project title: Supporting women with physical disabilities in abusive relationships
Investigators: The research is being conducted by postgraduate student Karen Jordan (who is a woman with a physical disability) from the University of Sydney and will inform social work practice and education about better ways to support this group of women.
Summary: Do you have a physical disability and are over the age of 18 years? Have you been in an ‘abusive’ or ‘hurtful’ relationship? (which can include physical, emotional, sexual, or with-holding of medication or mobility aids) by a boyfriend/partner, husband, sibling, carer, parent, service provider etc. in the last five years?
We are seeking a number of women with physical disabilities to assist us in conducting a research study about your experiences with violent or hurtful relationships and what kind of help you received (if any).
The research will inform social work practice and education about better ways to support this group of women.
Status: Currently recruiting participants
Completion date: TBC
Further Information & how to become involved in this project: You can register your interest by calling Karen Jordan on 02 9351 4712, or emailing kjor0898@uni.sydney.edu.au and leave your name and contact details with a safe time to call or email back. Karen will contact you to explain in more detail about the study and to see if you would like to participate.
Project title: Older people with intellectual disabilities and dementia
Investigators: The project is being conducted by the University of NSW in collaboration with Monash and LaTrobe Universities.
Summary: This project is looking at how many older people with intellectual disabilities develop dementia, and what things help them stay healthy as they age, as well as to identify their health service needs and the needs of family carers.
Researchers have asked Northcott to distribute information packs to clients who are interested and fit the profile to be participants.
Suitable Participants would:
• Be aged 40 years or older
• Have an intellectual disability
• Live in either Randwick, Botany or Rockdale Local Government Areas in NSW
Status: Currently recruiting
Completion date: TBC
Further Information & how to become involved in this project: Northcott Planning and Development Unit would be happy to provide an information pack to people interested in taking part. Please contact us via email on pduenquiries@northcott.com.au or phone on 02 9890 0533
Project title: Australian Childhood Vision Impairment Register
Investigators: The project is sponsored by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, in partnership with families, teachers, health professionals and low vision agencies.
Summary: The Register is the first of its kind in Australia, and collects data on Australian children with vision impairment. This data is used to improve services for children and by researchers who work in the area of eye disease and disorders of vision. It is also used by people who plan services to support children and their families.
Families are invited to register their children. The age range is 0-18 years, with any eye condition diagnosed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that causes vision impairment in both eyes.
Status: Currently recruiting
Completion date: Ongoing
Further Information & how to become involved in this project: Families can access the website to begin the registration process at www.vifamilynetwork.org.au
The criteria for being included on the Register is available on this website, and if families are unsure they can email jill.watson@ridbc.org.au or call Register staff, who will help out on 02 9872 0303.
This website also gives access to low vision events and useful resources. Registered families can join an online parent forum where they can meet, chat, and share ideas and experiences with other families.
If you have a child with vision impairment we hope that you will consider joining this important Register.
Project title: The Nest
Investigators: The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) is a non-profit organisation working to create better futures for young Australians.
Summary: The Nest is an independent project to improve the health, wellbeing and life opportunities of all young Australians. It is an opportunity for children and young people (up to 25 years) to have a say to help make Australia the best place it can be for children and young people.
The Nest will focus Australia’s efforts on a national plan for coordinated action. It will highlight the best evidence to show what works, and invite children, young people and the community to join in a conversation about their hopes and aspirations. This will be done via focus groups and an online survey and finish up with a summit in November 2012.
Completion date: Complete the online survey by the end of July. Summit to be held November 2012.
Further Information & how to become involved in this project:
The simplest way to become involved is via The Nest online survey at www.thenestproject.org.au/consultation-portal
For more information about the project visit the website: www.thenestproject.org.au
Project title: Investigating Relinquishment of Care of a Family Member with a Disability from the Perspective of the Family
Investigators:
• Prof. Karen Nankervis, Director, Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Support, University of Queensland, k.nankervis@uq.edu.au, (07) 3381 1447 or 1800 600 722
• Dr. Maria Vassos, Research Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Behaviour Support, University of Queensland, m.vassos@uq.edu.au, (07) 3381 1503 or 1800 600 722 or (03) 9925 6672
• Ms. Andrea Rosewarne, Researcher, Applied Aged Care Solutions, Andrea.Rosewarne@aacs.com.au, (03) 9836 8852
Summary: There are some families who have made the incredibly difficult decision to relinquish the care of their child. The University of Queensland is asking these families to be involved in a research project to discuss their experience. This is an important project that could ultimately help to prevent the circumstances where families make such a decision. If you would be interested in participation please click here for more information and contact details.
Status: Project commenced and recruiting participants (as at September 2012)
Completion date: Unknown
Further Information & how to become involved in this project: Visit http://www.centreofexcellenceforbehavioursupport.com.au/html/research-participate.html
Project title: Australian Child Wellbeing Project
Investigators: Dr. Myra Hamilton, The University of New South Wales, and Flinders University.
Summary: The government is trying to find out more about what life is like for Australian children so they can plan how to make children healthier and happier. We want to ask children from the ages of 8 to 14 years old about their own lives and what they think is important to have a good life. You are invited to take part if you are in this age group and live in Australia. We want to know what you think. You don’t have to be involved if you don’t want to. If you were interested, you’ll be invited to come along to a local place with other children your age to talk about these things in a group. It will take about 45 minutes. We’ll look through some photos, do some artwork, use IPads, and talk with you. As a thank you, you will be given a$20 gift voucher for your time.
Status: The researchers are looking for people to participate now and the invitation is open until February, 2013.
Completion date: The project is due for completion by 2017
Further Information & how to become involved in this project: The simplest way is to contact the university research assistant, Tamara Burnstock: tammy.burnstock@unsw.edu.au or 0431 531 100. If you’d like to get more information through Northcott, just contact Michele Wiese: michele.wiese@northcott.com.au or 02 9890 0530.
Project title: Siblings, young people and relational experiences of disability
Investigators: Dr. Kristy Muir and Ariella Meltzer, Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales
Summary: This study is about siblings with and without disabilities’ experiences of disability during young adulthood (ages 15-25 years). It is looking at how the social issues of disability in this time of life affect sibling relationships for both siblings with and without disabilities.
The researchers from the University of New South Wales would like to talk to you if you have a brother or a sister, and if you or your brother or sister have a lifelong disability. A lifelong disability could include a physical, intellectual or sensory disability which happened at birth or up to 2 years of age. You need to both be between 15 to 25 years of age and living in Australia. The researchers will come and interview you both, and you’ll each receive a $30 gift voucher for your time.
Status: The researchers are looking for people to participate now and will be collecting data for most of 2013.
Completion date: The project is due for completion by 2017
Further Information & how to become involved in this project: The simplest way is to contact Ariella at the university: a.meltzer@unsw.edu.au or 02 9385 3747. If you’d like to get more information through Northcott, just contact Michele Wiese: Michele.wiese@northcott.com.au or 02 9890 0530.
Project title: School choice for parents of children with a disability or special educational needs in New South Wales
Investigators: Ms. Rosemary Dunn, a doctoral student from Macquarie University.
Summary: What was it like choosing a school for your child with a disability? A Macquarie University PhD researcher is seeking the perspectives of parents from New South Wales who have, or are in the process of looking for a school for their child with special needs.This research has received ethical clearance from the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Review Committee.
Participants who complete an anonymous online survey will go in the draw for one of six $50 Gift Cards and can also elect to participate in an in-depth interview.
The survey should take 20-30 minutes to complete and your responses will help inform the development of support services for parents of children with a disability in New South Wales.
Any information or personal details that you provide will be kept confidential and you will not be identified personally in any way.
If you would like to participate in the research, please click on the link below to register your consent and access the online survey.
http://tinyurl.com/schoolchoicesurvey
Participation in this research is entirely voluntary; you are not obliged to participate.
A summary of the results of the data can be made available to you on request by mail or email to Rosemary Dunn via the contact details below.
Status: Online survey is open and ready for completion.
Completion date: End of 2013.
Further Information & how to become involved in this project:
Ms Rosemary Dunn
Phone: 0438 253 394
Email: rosemary.dunn@mq.edu.au
OR
Dr Linda Graham (PhD Supervisor)
Phone: 02 9850 9874
Email: linda.graham@mq.edu.au
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