Penny Crofts

Penny Crofts is a Casual Academic at the School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle, and founder of a consultancy business specializing in human service research, planning, and training. Previously, she served as Director of the Family Action Centre (FAC) within the Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, where she led research and service projects in family and community services. Her career spans roles as a Lecturer in Social Work and Discipline Convenor, alongside extensive collaborations with internal partners like the Equity Unit and external entities to innovate service delivery models.

Her research focuses on business-community sector relationships, social enterprise strategies, and organizational sustainability in non-government family services. She has contributed to early intervention programs and capacity-building frameworks. Her publications (10 journal articles, 1 book chapter, 7 conference contributions) emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to social work and family studies.

• 2016: Towards recognition and analysis of the field of family studies
• 2016: Outcomes of a School-Based Program for Young Children with Disruptive Behaviors
• 2003: Social enterprise: is it the business of social work?

Her academic qualifications include a Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Work from the University of New South Wales. She has secured 14 grants totaling $153,085, including funding for the Palliative Care Curriculum for Speech Pathology and Social Work Undergraduates (PCC4U) Program and travel grants for international conferences.

Collaborations involve academic units such as the School of Education, Social Work, and Wollotuka Institute, alongside external partners to trial service delivery models aimed at strengthening families and communities.