Professor Daryl Higgins - Child Safety Inquiry & Adoption Act Review

Today we're joined by Professor Daryl Higgins, Director of the Institute of Child Protection Studies at the Australian Catholic University. For nearly 30 years, Daryl has researched child abuse impacts and prevention, family violence, and family functioning, with a focus on public health approaches to keeping children safe and building child-safe organisations.

A registered psychologist and author of more than 250 publications, Daryl’s work spans child protection, out-of-home care, family law, disability and family care, welfare reform, jobless families, past adoption and forced family separation practices, and community development. Before ACU, he was Deputy Director (Research) at the Australian Institute of Family Studies, where he co-authored the Past Adoption Experiences study and later led the Forced Adoption Support Services scoping study—research that continues to shape service design and policy today. He is also a contributor to the landmark Australian Child Maltreatment Study.

In May 2025, the Queensland Government announced an inquiry into the child safety system and linked it with a review of Queensland’s adoption legislation. Prior to his election, Premier David Crisafulli called to “bring back adoption” as a solution to youth crime. In this episode, we explore what the evidence really says:- Is adoption the answer to challenges in child protection and youth justice?- What are the risks of framing it this way?- And what evidence-based alternatives exist for supporting children, families, and communities?This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)Connect with usInstagram - adopt_perspective_podcastFacebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre QueenslandWe acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. #adoptionlawreform #adoptiontrauma #davidcrisafulli #amandacamm #jigsawqueensland #forcedadoption #forcedadoptionsupportservice #josparrow #darylhiggins #childsafetyinquiry2025 #Qldchildsafety #adoptionact2009 #adoptionactreview #brisbanepodcast #queenslandpodcast #australianadoptionpodcast