Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare is delighted to announce that Joe Tucci, former CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, has been awarded the Leaving a Legacy Award for 2024. The Centre's CEO Deb Tsorbaris presented the award at the Victoria Child Protection Awards last night. Australian Childhood Foundation CEO Janise Mitchell accepted it on behalf of his family. Ms Mitchell said Dr Tucci was a very humble person who had made an enormous contribution to the way people think about the rights and needs of children and young people. "Children need us to stand in their corner; if we don't, who will? That was his motto, and we are part of his living legacy. He is still with us in the way that we think, in the stands we take, and in the values we hold. I think that his legacy is our work ahead,” said Ms Mitchell. Learn more about Dr Tucci's work at https://lnkd.in/g8ziTSs2

Sheree Gee, Team Leader for Foster Care Engagement at Brophy Family and Youth Services, completed a six-month secondment at The Centre as a Foster Carer Connection Specialist. Her role deepened her understanding of the family and child services sector, fostered valuable professional relationships, and supported her personal and professional growth. We sat down with Sheree to hear about her transformative time at the Centre. https://lnkd.in/gyFWshYH

🎟️ 🎟️ We’re excited to announce that early bird tickets for the OPEN Symposium 2024 will be available starting TODAY! This year’s theme, "Transforming Futures: Improving the Lives of Children and Their Families," is set to inspire and celebrate our sector. 🌟 Valued Centre Members: Enjoy exclusive early-early bird access to OPEN Symposium 2024 tickets starting today! Secure your spot while tickets are available! 🗓️ Ticket Sale Dates: Centre Members: Exclusive access to early bird tickets from September 5th. Secure your spot today! Price: $60 (plus bf + GST) Non-Centre Members: Early bird tickets available from September 9th. Don’t miss the chance to join us at a discounted rate! Price: $90 (plus bf + GST) Get your tickets now: 2024.OPENSymposium.com.au Spaces are limited, so be sure to act fast. Let’s come together to share, learn, and collaborate on shaping brighter futures for children and families. #OPEN2024 #TransformingFutures #ChildAndFamilyServices

The TRC Collective is more than just a meeting – it’s a collaborative platform where you can exchange ideas, learn from others, explore best practices and contribute to shaping the group’s future direction. Facilitators include the DFFH statewide Principle Practitioner and various Principal Practitioners from community organisations. Be part of the first meeting on Wednesday 18 September from 11 am – 12 pm and have your say! Register to join today! https://lnkd.in/gnY3fsTk

This year, Kinship Care Week runs from 2 to 6 September, with events, webinars, and resources for carers, their families, and the workers who support them. Resources gathered on the Kinship Care Network webpage include live events and webinars, training and information on self-care for carers and their families, and a host of resources for carers to download and share. Visit the Kinship Care Network at https://lnkd.in/g235Mw7n #KinshipCareWeek2024 #FamilyCaringForFamily

Kinship Care Week 2024 celebrates the wonderful work of families caring for families in Victoria, helping them connect with each other and with carer support groups in their communities. This year, Kinship Care Week runs from 2 to 6 September, with events, webinars, and resources for carers, their families, and the workers who support them. Resources gathered on the Kinship Care Network webpage include live events and webinars, training and information on self-care for carers and their families, and a host of resources for carers to download and share. Kinship Carers are incredibly important in the lives of children and young people who are unable to live with their parents. They ensure ongoing connections to family, culture, and community and a sense of belonging when they are unable to live with their parents. Some key facts about Kinship Carers: 🔶Kinship care is when a child who can’t live with their parents is placed in a relative or family friend’s home. 🔶Kinship care is the fastest-growing form of out-of-home care in Victoria. As of 30 June 2023, there were 5,200 children in Kinship Care placements. 🔶79 per cent of all children in OOHC in Victoria live with a kinship carer. 🔶Kinship carers are typically female (94%), in their mid-50s (avg 54), are grandparents or great-grandparents (59%), and live on lower incomes (40% <$40,000 household income). 🔶96 per cent of kinship carers are on the lowest level of carer allowance, compared to 32 per centof foster carers. Visit the Kinship Care Network at https://lnkd.in/g235Mw7n #KinshipCareWeek2024 #FamilyCaringForFamily

🎓 Applications Now Open: RCLDS Further Education Scholarship! 🌟 Are you working in the residential care sector and looking to advance your qualifications? The Center and RCLDS team are excited to announce that applications are now open for our annual Further Education Scholarship. This scholarship provides up to $2,000 in financial support to a person working in residential care in Victoria to help cover fees and essential books for ongoing higher education. Whether you’re aiming for a Diploma or Undergraduate Degree, this is a fantastic opportunity to build on your Certificate IV in Child Youth and Family Intervention (Residential and Out of Home Care). Join us in our mission to enhance residential care service provision by furthering your education. Apply today and take the next step in your professional journey! 🔗 Apply Now at https://lnkd.in/gwqYEQJE 📅 Applications close on Monday, September 30 The 2024/25 Scholarship recipient will be announced at ResiROCKS on October 10. #RCLDS #ScholarshipOpportunity #ResidentialCare #ProfessionalDevelopment

Last chance! Register to attend our Diploma of Leadership and Management information session! The diploma’s curriculum is tailored to meet the specific needs of professionals in child, youth, and family welfare. Whether aspiring to higher management roles, seeking to hone leadership skills, or drive innovation in service delivery, our alums are well-prepared to lead with purpose and impact. Register today to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/gGbxXSxD

👏 Congratulations to Sue Sealey, VPCA 2024 Robin Clark Leadership Award recipient. The Centre and our members are very proud and grateful for your immense contribution and work across the sector for children, young people and families. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists in the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards! View all the winners at https://lnkd.in/gNy-Af6K

📢Foster Care Week 2024 start on Sunday!!! Join Fostering Connections and The Centre in celebration of foster carers and the contribution they make to the lives of children, young people, and families in our community. The annual week runs from this Sunday, September 8, to Saturday, September 14. You can help us in raising awareness about the need for more foster carers in Victoria. Share, comment, like and download the Foster Care Week promo pack to spread the word about how to become a foster carer. ⁠ 👉Visit: https://lnkd.in/g7T44FRv #FosterCareWeek2024