Debbie Plath

Dynamic leader with a proven track record in strategic leadership, course design, accreditation, and teaching & learning at Ikon Institute of Australia, Australian Catholic University, and The University of Newcastle. Recognised leader in the social work profession, including Chair of Editorial Board of Australian Social Work journal and Chair of Australian Social Work Education Accreditation Standards panel. International recognition through publication and research activities.

List of Publications
Mackey, P., Plath, D., Joosten, A. & Moore, T. (2024). Mothers’ Views About Children’s Engagement in Domestic Violence Research. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00743-7
Bailey, C., Plath, D. & Sharma, A. (2021). Purchasing Power and Self-Determination: Social Worker Perspectives. British Journal of Social Work. 52(2): 624–642.
Plath, D., Dadich, A., Evans, S., Lawson, K. & Stout, B. (2021). Personalised budgets: What is the future for child protection? British Journal of Social Work, 51 (7), 2458-2477.
Evans, S., Dadich, A., Plath, D. & Stout, B. (2020). Clarifying the role of belief-motive explanations in multi-stakeholder realist evaluation. Evaluation and Program Planning, 80 (June, 2020), 101800.
Young, C., Zubrzycki, J. & Plath, D. (2020). The slow interview? Developing key principles and practices. Qualitative Research. 21 (4), 481-497.
Stout, B., Dadich, A., Evans, S., & Lawson, K. and Plath, D (2019). Researching social work practice ethically and developing ethical researchers. Ethics and Social Welfare, 14 (2): 172-186
Williams, L., Wood, C. & Plath, D. (2019). Parents’ Experiences of Family Therapy for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa. Australian Social Work 73 (4), 408-419.
Plath, D. (2018). School-based program for young children with disruptive behaviours: Two-year follow-up, Children Australia. 43 (1): 67-76.
Plath, D. (2017). Engaging Human Services with Evidence-Informed Practice, Washington, NASW Press. (Book)
Plath, D., Crofts, P. & Stuart, G. (2016). Engaging Families in Early Intervention for Child Conduct Concerns. Children Australia, 41 (1): 49-58.
Plath, D., Williams, L. & Wood, C. (2016). Clinicians’ views on parental involvement in the treatment of adolescent Anorexia Nervosa, Eating Disorders. 24 (5): 393-411.
Plath, D. (2016). Evidence Discovery and Assessment in Social Work Practice (Book Review), Australian Social Work. 69 (3): 382-383.
Plath, D., Croce, N., Crofts, P. & Stuart, G. (2016). Outcomes of a school-based program for young children with disruptive behaviors. Children & Schools, 38 (1): 9-19.
Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D. & Webb, S. (2015). What supports and impedes evidence-based practice implementation? A survey of Australian social workers, British Journal of Social Work. 45 (2): 667-684.
Fawcett, B. & Plath, D. (2014). A National Disability Insurance Scheme: What Social Work has to offer, British Journal of Social Work, 44 (3): 747-762.
Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D. & Webb, S. (2014). Opinions about evidence: A study of social workers’ attitudes towards evidence-based practice, Journal of Social Work, 14 (1): 23-40.
Plath, D. (2014). Implementing Evidence-Based Practice: An Organisational Perspective, British Journal of Social Work, 44 (4): 905-923.
Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D. & Webb, S. (2013). Implementing Evidence-Based Practice: A Review of the Empirical Research Literature, Research on Social Work Practice, 23 (2): 157-166.
Plath, D. (2013). Evidence-based Practice, chapter 19 in M. Gray & S. Webb (Eds.) Social Work Theories and Methods, 2nd Edition, London, Sage.
Plath, D. (2013). Support for evidence-based practice in a human service organisation, Administration in Social Work, 37 (1): 25-38.
Plath, D. (2013). Organisational processes supporting evidence-based practice, Administration in Social Work, 37 (2):171-188.
Gibbons, J. & Plath, D. (2012). Single Session Social Work in Hospitals, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 33 (1): 39-53.
Hart, V. & Plath, D. (2011). Egg Donor Wanted: Social Work with women looking for an egg donor, Australian Social Work, 64(4): 515-525.
Plath, D. (2010). Social Work Capacity Building in the Maldives, chapter 18 in S. Stanley (Ed.) Social Work Education in Countries of the East: Issues and Challenges, New York, Nova.
Plath, D. & Gibbons, J. (2010). Discoveries on a data-mining expedition: Single session social work in hospitals, Social Work in Health Care, 49(8): 703-717.
Gibbons, J. & Plath, D. (2009). Single Contacts with Hospital Social Workers: The Clients’ Experiences, Social Work in Health Care, 48(8): 721-735.
Gray, M., Plath, D. & Webb, S. (2009). Evidence-based Social Work: A Critical Stance, London, Routledge. (Book)
Plath, D. (2009). International Policy Perspectives on Independence in Old Age, Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21(2): 209 – 223.
Plath, D. (2009). Evidence-based Practice, chapter 16 in M. Gray & S. Webb (eds) Social Work Theories and Methods, London, Sage.
Plath, D. (2008). Supporting Women after Domestic Violence, Australian Social Work, 61(3): 291-292.
Plath, D. (2008). Independence in Old Age: The Route to Social Exclusion? British Journal of Social Work, 38(7): 1353-1369.
Plath, D. (2006). Evidence Based Practice: Current Issues and Future Directions, Australian Social Work 59(1): 56-72.
Gibbons, J. & Plath, D. (2005). Everybody puts a lot into it! Single Session Contacts in Hospital Social Work, Social Work in Health Care, 42 (1): 17-34.
Plath, D. (2003). An Experience Based Model for Practice Teaching: International Perspective from Australia, The Journal of Practice Teaching in Health and Social Work, 5(1):23-38.
Plath, D. (2002). Independence in Old Age: Shifting Meanings in Australian Social Policy, Just Policy, No.26: 40-47.
Plath, D., English, B. Connors, L. & Beveridge, A. (1999). Evaluating the Outcomes of Intensive Critical Thinking Instruction for Social Work Students, Social Work Education, 18(2): 207-217.
Plath, D. (1995). Successful Interagency Groups, Research Monograph, University of Newcastle, NSW.
Plath, D. (1994). Fostering Creativity through Social Work Education, Advances in Social Welfare Education, AASWWE, 113-119.
Consultancy Reports
Stout, B., Dadich, A., Evans, S., & Lawson, K. and Plath, D (2018). 100 lives in Western Sydney: Final Report. Penrith, NSW: Western Sydney University.
Debbie Plath Consulting (2017). Evidence and Program Logic for Little Yarns program, Newcastle, Firstchance.
Debbie Plath Consulting (2016). Parenting Program Review, Hornsby, Northern Sydney Local Health District.
Debbie Plath Consulting. (2016). Got It! – Pre-Intervention Screening, Sydney, MH-Kids, NSW Ministry of Health
Debbie Plath Consulting. (2016). Got It! Implementation Guidelines, Sydney, MH-Kids, NSW Ministry of Health.
Debbie Plath Consulting. (2016). Got It! – Protecting Families at Risk: Policy Brief, Sydney, MH-Kids, NSW Ministry of Health.
Debbie Plath Consulting. (2015 & 2017 versions). Transdisciplinary Early Childhood Intervention Program: Practice Guidelines, Newcastle, Firstchance.
Debbie Plath Consulting. (2014). AASW Supervision Standards, Canberra, Australian Association of Social Workers.
Debbie Plath Consulting & Family Action Centre. (2014). Got It! Final report: Evaluation of the Getting on Track in Time: Got it! Program, Sydney, MH-Kids, NSW Ministry of Health.
Debbie Plath Consulting & Family Action Centre (2013). Got It! Evaluation: Process Data and Qualitative Insights, Sydney, NSW Ministry of Health.
Debbie Plath Consulting & Family Action Centre (2013). Got It! Evaluation: Interim Report, Sydney, NSW Ministry of Health.
Debbie Plath Consulting (2012). Consumer Directed Packages: Consumers Experiences of Implementation, Newcastle, Catholic Community Services.
Debbie Plath Consulting & Family Action Centre (2012). Family-Centred Practice: A Practice Guide, Melbourne, Berry Street.
Plath, D. & Walker, A. (2009). Evaluation of Social Service Worker Education Program in the Maldives, University of Newcastle.
Plath, D., Gibbons, J & Agllias, K. (2007). Maldives Social Services: Curriculum Development and Implementation, Report and Recommendations to Project Reference Group and Key Stakeholders, University of Newcastle / UNICEF.
Gibbons, J. & Plath, D. (2006). Proposal for Training of Social Service Workers in the Maldives, Report on consultancy project, University of Newcastle / UNICEF.
Podcasts
Fronek, P. (Host). (2013, January 27). Evidence-based practice: In conversation with Debbie Plath [Episode 41]. Podsocs. Podcast retrieved 07.01.2018 from http://www.podsocs.com/podcast/evidence-based-practice/

• Member, Australian Association of Social Workers
• Chair, Editorial Board, Australian Social Work journal
• Chair, Australian Social Work Education Accreditation Standards panel
• Honorary Professor, Australian Catholic University