Research into Practice: Who Cares for the Carer

The Journey Between

Rethinking Children’s Transitions After Separation 

Every transition is more than a handover. It is an opportunity to strengthen—or weaken—a child’s sense of safety, belonging and connection.

Description

Self-Care, Reflection and Sustainable Practice

Family law professionals work alongside families experiencing separation, conflict, trauma and profound life change. While our focus is naturally on the wellbeing of children and families, the quality of our work is also influenced by how well we care for ourselves and one another.

Contemporary research is increasingly recognising that sustainable professional practice involves more than preventing burnout. Reflection, collegial support, professional identity, boundaries, curiosity and ongoing learning all contribute to our capacity to remain effective, compassionate and resilient over the course of a career.

This Research into Practice session explores current literature on professional wellbeing, reflective practice and self-care, asking what it truly means to sustain ourselves while working in emotionally demanding roles.

Together we will explore:

• Compassion fatigue, burnout and moral distress.
• Professional resilience and reflective practice.
• Building sustainable careers in family law.
• The role of supervision, mentoring and professional communities.
• Practical strategies that support wellbeing without compromising professional standards.
• What the research tells us about thriving—not just surviving—in family practice.

As always, Research into Practice is not a journal club.

It is an opportunity to critically examine contemporary research, share professional experiences and translate evidence into practical approaches that strengthen both our work and ourselves.

Join colleagues from around the world for a thoughtful end-of-year conversation as we reflect on the year that has been and prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Stay Curious. Stay Current. Stay Connected.

Less journal club, more professional conversation—where research meets the realities of practice.

Research into Practice is ICCFL’s monthly **Community of Practice**, bringing together family law professionals from Australia and around the world for an engaging Lunch & Learn conversation where contemporary research is explored, challenged and translated into everyday practice.

Each session centres on one or two recent journal articles, book chapters or significant publications relevant to family law, family dispute resolution and child and family practice. Together we examine the authors’ ideas, findings and recommendations, asking one practical question:

What does this mean for the work we do every day?

Research often looks backwards—examining what has happened, analysing data and drawing conclusions.

Research into Practice looks forward.

Together we explore the strengths, limitations and practical applications of emerging research, translating evidence into meaningful strategies for working with children, parents, families and professionals.

These sessions are intentionally conversational. Bring your lunch, your curiosity and your questions. Whether you are an experienced practitioner or new to the profession, Research into Practice offers a welcoming space to stay current with emerging knowledge, engage in thoughtful discussion, expand your professional network and contribute to a growing community committed to reflective, evidence-informed practice.

Every Research into Practice session also contributes to the development of new ICCFL professional resources. Participants are invited to share ideas, questions and reflections that help shape future practice tools, learning resources and professional artifacts for the wider family law community.

As part of ICCFL’s membership with the Australian Copyright Agency, participants receive access to the published materials discussed during each session.