NCCPS Expert Advisory Panel
These are the people with the passion to drive change to protect children
The National Council for Children Post-Separation (NCCPS) has established an Expert Panel comprised of individuals with knowledge and expertise on various aspects of the Family Law and its application in the Federal and State Courts. The Expert Advisory Panel members have expertise in child development and child abuse issues with particular emphasis on children post-separation. Members of the NCCPS also include parents and children with particular experience of the Family Courts.
The role of the Expert Advisory Panel is to assist the organisation in responding to the many issues which are arising from the Family Law Act and its implementation by the Courts and they will help prepare occasional Papers and articles for distribution and publication on the NCCPS website and also act as media contacts on behalf of NCCPS on issues requiring specialist knowledge and opinion. Some may also give talks/ presentations at conferences as NCCPS representatives.
The Expert Advisory Panel is made up of a number of professionals in their fields including:
OUR PANEL
Ex-Children's Court Magistrate and Child Expert
— Barbara Holborow
Barbara was the first woman recipient in Australia of the Jean Harris award for promoting the development and progress of Women and Children’s issues in Australia. This is the highest award given by Rotary both in Australia and internationally.
In July 1997 at the Entertainment Awards in Sydney, Barbara received the Variety Club of Australia’s Humanitarian Award, once again this award is the highest acknowledgment given by Variety both in Australia and internationally more…
Child Protection Expert
— Freda Briggs
Emeritus Professor Freda Briggs AO is a researcher and lecturer in sociology, child protection and family studies for the University of South Australia. Freda’s expertise has seen her consulted by the World Health Organisation on programs to protect children from violence. She has also consulted to the New Zealand Police, Department of Education in Australia, Anglicare and UNICEF. She has published 17 books on child abuse and child protection issues and written countless journals. Freda has ceaselessly and passionately worked towards her vision to provide a safer and more caring world for children and her work in the area of child safety saw her appointed as Senior Australian of the Year, recipient of the Order of Australia, the Centenary Medal, the Inaugural Australian Humanitarian Award and an Honorary Doctorate in Letters from the University of Sheffield (UK 2009) more…
AM BA Hons 1, Ph.D - Child Development Expert
— DR Elspeth McInnes
Dr Elspeth McInnes is a sociologist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of South Australia and Director of the deLissa Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies. Her research interests have focused on gender, social policy and family violence. Elspeth’s doctoral research examined the social policy context and impact of family violence on mothers’ transitions into single parent households. Her continuing research and teaching interests include the impact of violence and abuse on children and the ways in which domestic violence impacts on mothers’ parenting more…
Child Protection Systems Expert
— Charles Pragnell
Charles Pragnell is an independent Expert Defence Witness for Child Protection and has given evidence to courts in England, Scotland, and New Zealand. Since 1990 he has acted as an advocate/representative for children and families in child protection matters and other proceedings involving various state agencies. Since 1996 he has made special studies of issues involving Munchausen’s Syndrome By Proxy, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Shaken Baby Syndrome more…
Domestic Violence and Child Safety Expert
— Tracy Howe LLB
Tracy has a legal background and previously worked as a senior legal advisor in the public service giving her specialist knowledge of Child Support Agency systems. Her current position as Manager of a women and children’s refuge sees Tracy working with women and children who are escaping domestic violence. Tracy is often a support during Family Court proceedings and after the fact in supporting women meet their obligations pursuant to any orders made in the Family Court. Tracy witnesses first hand the effects of the Family Law Act and the corresponding decisions made where there is either the threat of, or current domestic violence perpetrated on mothers and/or their children more…