Putting the Pieces in Place: Children, Communities and Social Capital in Australia

What do children in Australia value about their communities? How are communities supporting children? How are communities failing them – and why? These questions underpin the ‘Children, Communities and Social Capital in Australia’ research project, and shape this report. Over the past fifteen years, governments at Commonwealth, state and local levels have been concerned with strengthening communities as part of a policy shift towards ‘local solutions to local problems’ and to place-based initiatives. This policy shift was heavily influenced by ideas of social capital. Children are often assumed to benefit from ‘strong communities’, yet we know very little about children’s views on what makes a strong, supportive community. Indeed, we know very little about children’s places and roles within Australian communities. If policies and initiatives are to be inclusive of children – as this report argues they should – it is crucial that we understand children’s views and experiences of their communities.