Ms Penny Crofts
Casual Academic
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
Career Summary
Biography
Penny Crofts is a former Director of the Family Action Centre (FAC) in the Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle. Penny was responsible for planning, leading, and managing research, service and consultancy projects undertaken by the FAC in the family and community services field. Penny was at the forefront of the development of Family Studies at the University of Newcastle, and taught online postgraduate courses in this discipline. Prior to taking up her position at the FAC, Penny lectured in social work, with roles as Program and Discipline Convenor. Her research and publications have focused on business-community sector relationships and social enterprise as strategies to strengthen organisational sustainability in the non-government family and community services sector. Currently, Penny is a casual academic in Health Sciences and also runs a consultancy business specialising in human service research, planning, development, management, evaluation, training and supervision.
Research ExpertiseNon-Government Family and Community Services Sector Human Service Program Design and Evaluation Capacity Building in the Non-Government Family and Community Services Sector Early Intervention and Prevention Programs
Teaching Expertise
Family Studies Social Work Human Service Program Design and Evaluation
Administrative Expertise
Project Management Organisational Planning and Development
Collaborations
As a member of the academic staff based at the Family Action Centre, Penny works with University Newcastle partners such as the Equity Unit, the School of Education, Social Work, Wollotuka Institute, and the English Language and Foundation Studies Unit, as well as with external partners, to trial and test new models of service delivery that are directed towards strengthening families and communities.
Qualifications
- Master of Social Work, University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Social Work, University of New South Wales
Keywords
- Community services
- Early Intervention
- Family Studies
- Social work
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Casual Academic | University of Newcastle School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci Australia |
| Manager | University of Newcastle Family Action Centre Australia |
Academic appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4/1998 - | Lecturer | University of Newcastle Education and Arts Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Chapter (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 |
Schubert L, Crofts P, Bird K, 'Good Things Come to Those Who Wait: Striving to Address Domestic and Family Violence in Australia', Family Violence from a Global Perspective: a Strengths Based Approach, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA 216-233 (2014) [B1]
|
Nova |
Journal article (10 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Hartman DK, Crofts P, 'Towards recognition and analysis of the field of family studies.', The Indian Journal of Social Work, 77 407-424 (2016) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
| 2016 |
Plath D, Croce N, Crofts P, Stuart G, 'Outcomes of a School-Based Program for Young Children with Disruptive Behaviors', CHILDREN & SCHOOLS, 38 9-19 (2016) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2016 |
Plath D, Crofts P, Stuart G, 'Engaging Families in Early Intervention for Child Conduct Concerns', CHILDREN AUSTRALIA, 41 49-58 (2016) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2011 |
Mathisen BA, Yates P, Crofts PJ, 'Palliative care curriculum for speech-language pathology students', International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 46 273-285 (2011) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2008 |
Gray MM, Crofts PJ, 'Social development and its relevance to Australian social work', Australian Social Work, 61 88-103 (2008) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2005 | Crofts PJ, Begg P, 'Defying the Odds: Enterprising Social Work Practice in a Rural Employment Project', Rural Society, 15 331-347 (2005) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
| 2004 |
Gray MM, Crofts PJ, 'Partnerships: Marrying the strengths and resources of diverse interest groups', Social Work: a professional journal for the social worker, 40 246-259 (2004) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2004 |
Gray M, Crofts P, 'Partnerships: Marrying the strengths and resources of diverse interest groups', Social Work, 40 246-259 (2004) This paper explores the growing importance of partnership development within the social services sector in Australia. It proposes that the social, political and economic factors g... [more] This paper explores the growing importance of partnership development within the social services sector in Australia. It proposes that the social, political and economic factors giving rise to shifting priorities in this newly named "third" sector are encapsulated in the notion of social entrepreneurship being given impetus by the Federal Government's policy of mutual obligation, the findings of the Welfare Reform Group and the consequent Australians Working Together programme. It argues that community development is the ideal strategy for partnership development that fits well with the strengths perspective, where the emphasis is on mutual engagement in an equal relationship such that the collective assets and resources of the collaborating partners can be harnessed for the good of the community. The parallels between partnerships and human relationships are outlined and the role of the key sectors of community, business, government and non-government in the provision of social services are discussed. The paper ends with a discussion of community-business partnership development. Partnerships are seen to offer social workers with opportunities and challenges in the development of creative and innovative programmes aimed at social improvement.
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| 2003 |
Gray MM, Healy K, Crofts PJ, 'Social enterprise: is it the business of social work?', Australian Social Work, 56 141-154 (2003) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| 2002 |
Gray MM, Crofts PJ, 'Social entrepreneurship and its implications for social work: Preliminary findings of research into business in Newcastle and the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia', Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work, 12(2) 95-122 (2002) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
| Show 7 more journal articles | |||||||||||
Conference (7 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 |
Crofts P, Stuart GR, 'Engagement and innovation = sustainability? Lessons from a case study at the University of Newcastle', Wagga Wagga (2014)
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| 2014 | Barnes LR, Crofts P, 'Collaborative Research into Social Enterprise: Not For Profit (NFP) Workshop on Evidenced Based Programming', 2014 Engagement Australia Conference, Wagga Wagga (2014) [E3] | ||||
| 2008 | Geggie JB, Crofts PJ, 'Case study 3: No survey without service: A unique idea for a university', 5th Australian Family and Community Strengths Conference: Program & Abstract Book, Callaghan, NSW (2008) [E3] | ||||
| 2008 |
Stuart GR, Bourne KM, Crofts PJ, 'Asset mapping as a teaching tool', Program: Keynotes and Concurrent Sessions. The Inaugural ABCD Asia Pacific Conference, Newcastle, NSW (2008) [E3]
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| 2003 | Crofts PJ, Begg P, 'Tackling Unemployment through Community Development', Australian Association of Social Workers National Conference, Canberra (2003) [E2] | ||||
| 2003 |
Gray MM, Crofts PJ, Geggie JB, Gibbons JL, Stuart GR, 'Putting Families First - Towards the Development of a one stop model of service provision for families of young children', Family and Community Strengths Conference, Newcastle University (2003) [E3]
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| 2003 | Crofts PJ, 'Fistering Connections Beyond the Classroom - Primary Education Students and Service Learning through School-Community projects', Family and Community Strengths Conference, Newcastle University (2003) [E3] | ||||
| Show 4 more conferences | |||||
Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 14 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $153,085 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20152 grants / $84,381
Family and Children Expert Panel$82,881
Funding body: Department of Social Services
| Funding body | Department of Social Services |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts, Associate Professor Richard Fletcher, Doctor Deborah Hartman, Ms Kate Dennis, Doctor Chris May, Doctor Karen Menzies, Doctor Jennifer St George, Ms Lynette Stoker, Doctor Graeme Stuart |
| Scheme | Tender |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2015 |
| Funding Finish | 2016 |
| GNo | G1401357 |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Commonwealth |
| Category | 2OPC |
| UON | Y |
Changing World - Changing Families: Diversity and Synergy, Mumbai India, 4-6 January 2015$1,500
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine
| Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2015 |
| Funding Finish | 2015 |
| GNo | G1500806 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
20131 grants / $1,700
Third International Symposium on Urban Society: International Conference of Urban Child, Youth and Family Studies under the context of Globalisation, China 23-24 May 2013.$1,700
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Education and Arts
| Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Education and Arts |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2013 |
| Funding Finish | 2013 |
| GNo | G1300743 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
20071 grants / $10,000
Palliative Care Curriculum for Speech Pathology and Social Work Undergraduates (PCC4U) Program$10,000
Funding body: Department of Health and Aged Care
| Funding body | Department of Health and Aged Care |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Bernice Mathisen, Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | National Palliative Care Program |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2007 |
| Funding Finish | 2007 |
| GNo | G0187729 |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Commonwealth |
| Category | 2OPC |
| UON | Y |
20062 grants / $11,500
Capacity building in aged residential care: An intervention research project$10,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Jill Gibbons, Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Pilot Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2006 |
| Funding Finish | 2006 |
| GNo | G0186673 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
33rd International Congress of Schools of Social Work, 28-31 August 2006$1,500
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2006 |
| Funding Finish | 2006 |
| GNo | G0186521 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
20052 grants / $27,500
Equity Research Fellowship Round 1 2005$25,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Equity Research Fellowship |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2005 |
| Funding Finish | 2005 |
| GNo | G0184876 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
Mentoring male social work students - Developing a strategy to increase retention rates$2,500
Funding body: Australian Association of Social Work and Welfare Educators
| Funding body | Australian Association of Social Work and Welfare Educators |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Jill Gibbons, Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Project Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2005 |
| Funding Finish | 2005 |
| GNo | G0185863 |
| Type Of Funding | Not Known |
| Category | UNKN |
| UON | Y |
20031 grants / $530
Australian Association of Socil Workers National Conference: Cooperating for Social Justice 28/09 to 1/10/03$530
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2003 |
| Funding Finish | 2003 |
| GNo | G0183655 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
20023 grants / $10,665
Job seeker assistance in a rural context: a study of a community social work approach$5,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Internal Research Support |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2002 |
| Funding Finish | 2002 |
| GNo | G0182306 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
Job seeker assistance in a rural context: a study of a community social work approach.$5,000
Funding body: Samaritans
| Funding body | Samaritans |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Two Bishops Trust - Research Funding |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2002 |
| Funding Finish | 2002 |
| GNo | G0182528 |
| Type Of Funding | Donation - Aust Non Government |
| Category | 3AFD |
| UON | Y |
Inspiring Regional Australia National Conference, Bunbury, WA 16-18 October 2002$665
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2002 |
| Funding Finish | 2002 |
| GNo | G0182542 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
20012 grants / $6,809
Engaging with Business: A Third Sector Perspective$5,500
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Early Career Researcher Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2001 |
| Funding Finish | 2001 |
| GNo | G0181665 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
16th Asia-Pacific Social Work Conference, Singapore 31 July - 3 August 2001$1,309
Funding body: University of Newcastle
| Funding body | University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Ms Penny Crofts |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2001 |
| Funding Finish | 2001 |
| GNo | G0181011 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
News
News • 13 Jan 2015
International Conference in India
Penny Crofts and Deb Hartman of the Family Action Centre (FAC) have been invited to be speakers at International Conference - Changing World - Changing Families: Diversity and Synergy in Mumbai, January 2015.
News • 15 Nov 2013
Program aims high to eradicate bullying
Training kids in social skills has had positive results. Bullying is an issue commanding significant public attention. This is as it should be. Bullying, like other serious social problems such as domestic violence and child sexual abuse, is no longer relegated to the ranks of private pain and suffering endured in shameful silence.
Ms Penny Crofts
Position
Casual Academic
Director
School of Humanities, Creative Ind and Social Sci
College of Human and Social Futures
Contact Details
| penny.crofts@newcastle.edu.au |
Office
| Room | P3.1 |
|---|---|
| Building | Station 3 |
| Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |
Connect with me
Research Networks
NEWS • Jan 13.2015
International Conference in India
Penny Crofts and Deb Hartman were invited speakers at International Conference - Changing World - Changing Families: Diversity and Synergy in Mumbai, January 20
NEWS • Nov 15.2013
Program aims high to eradicate bullying
Training kids in social skills has had positive results