Centre for the Child, Family and Society (CfCFS)

Welcome 

The Centre for the Child, Family and Society (CfCFS) exists to support any research which has as its aim the creation of knowledge that will improve practice in relation to promoting the wellbeing of children; and/or will enhance an understanding of factors that help or hinder the promotion of children's wellbeing. 

Research may focus on the families and communities in which children live; and will be interested in the wellbeing of children locally, nationally and globally.  Children and young people are recognised to be unique individuals with physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual needs, having a wide range of abilities, but with each child requiring their distinctive gifts and talents to be recognised and fostered. 

The inquiry question that forms the main focus for the Centre is  "How do we, individually and collaboratively, integrate research and practice, across disciplines and between professions, to enable a demonstrable improvement in the wellbeing of children and young people".  Action research and practitioner research approaches to the generation of knowledge within multi-disciplinary and inter-professional contexts are particularly encouraged in creating responses to this question.  There is a particular interest in the ways in which professionals, including teachers, focus on questions such as ‘how do I improve my practice', as this form of  research, which has a growing international recognition, has been shown to influence and enhance practice with children and young people (see www.actionresearch.net).   

However, it is recognised that there are many forms of research that will contribute to the overall aim of the centre, and will add to the richness of its outcomes.  Any researcher interested in creating knowledge which will enhance the quality of children's lives is very welcome to join what should be an exciting and participatory process of collaborative learning and development.

Vision and Values of the Centre

Each Centre is underpinned by a core set of vision and values which not only reflects the unique character of the centre, but also demonstrates how it embraces the wider university mission. For our centre vision and values please click here :  CfCF Strategic Map 2011 (21.37 kB)

Contact Us

Dr Joan Walton [Research Profile], Director of CfCFS
Faculty of Education
Liverpool Hope University, 
Hope Park, 
Liverpool, L16 9JD