The Parenting and Family Support Centre (PFSC) was established in 1996 as a specialist family intervention research and training facility within the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland.

Our mission is to promote the health and wellbeing of families and children by conducting research and training, and by providing clinical services based on scientifically validated methods of family intervention.

The primary aim of the PFSC is to prevent behavioural and emotional problems in children by enhancing the skills and confidence of parents and by addressing family risk factors known to contribute to adverse developmental outcomes in children. The PFSC's primary research and clinical activities revolve around its Triple P - Positive Parenting Program.

PFSC research activities establish the scientific basis of all aspects of Triple P intervention and dissemination, including rigorous evaluation of new program variants. The PFSC collaborates with research groups around the world, remains informed of research developments elsewhere, and disseminates research findings from current PFSC projects internationally. This process ensures that Triple P continues to evolve, responds to data about the impact of the intervention and incorporates new knowledge about how to best assist families.

The PFSC also operates the Child and Family Psychology Clinic, a demonstration community service and training facility for practitioners and postgraduate students. This clinic offers both individual and group programs for parents at the PFSC as well as seminars and group programs run in community organisations, kindergartens, schools and private sector organisations.

Another focus of the PFSC is to contribute to policy development that may affect the family. This is achieved by consultation with government ministers and policy advisers, and by dissemination of research findings. PFSC staff members are active in national and state professional associations, serving on editorial boards for journals, grant review committees and policy forming bodies.

The PFSC also receives many requests from the media for commentary on psychological and social issues. Staff members frequently comment on topics of general community interest, and the activities of the centre have been the subject of many current affairs programs, newspaper and magazine articles. This media liaison helps to inform the public about psychological issues.