OzChild

This Child Protection Week, we're focusing on a critical aspect of our work at OzChild: ensuring children and young people are active participants in decisions that shape their lives. Too often, children and young people feel left out, asking, “Why wasn’t I consulted?” or “Why didn’t I get a say?” We believe direct involvement and meaningful participation is key to truly empowering young people. At OzChild, we’ve taken concrete steps to change this by dedicating resources to amplify the voices of children and young people. Our Child and Young Person Engagement Advisor plays a pivotal role in educating and equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence to actively participate in decision-making, and giving them opportunities to do so. This is about more than just offering them a seat at the table—it’s about ensuring they feel prepared and empowered to use it. We are already seeing the positive impact of this approach as it reshapes our service delivery. Let’s all continue to champion the voices of children and young people—because every conversation matters in shaping a better future and service system for children, young people and families.

We are thrilled to announce that the Putting Families First team are joint winners of the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award at the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards! This dynamic team was recognised at last night's Victorian Child Protection Awards, for their groundbreaking work in supporting families involved or at risk of involvement with the child protection and criminal justice systems.   “The work of the Putting Families First team is a shining example of how collaboration and innovation can transform the lives of families. All members of the inter-disciplinary team show exceptional excellence in practice, delivering a service that truly meets the diverse needs of families, empowering them to make positive changes, while giving each family member hope and confidence for the future.” – Dr Lisa J. Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer, OzChild Read more about this amazing achievement here https://lnkd.in/gaP5f4ak

Child Protection Week is a powerful reminder of the sector's commitment to improving outcomes for children across Australia. This July and August, OzChild Chief Executive Officer, Dr Lisa J. Griffiths joined with other leaders from child and family peak bodies as part of the Future of Foster Care Roadshow. The Roadshow discussed critical issues impacting different jurisdictions, and nationwide efforts to address the foster carer shortage and reduce reliance on residential and alternative care. It also introduced the work of the National Foster Care Sustainability Group (NFCSG), a dynamic collective of thought leaders advocating for federal policies to break down barriers in state and territory foster care systems. Read more about how this initiative aims to reshape the future of foster care in Australia 👇

"The work of Putting Families First was crucial in keeping children safe." - Children Minister Lizzie Blandthorn We are thrilled to share that the Putting Families First (PFF) team has been featured in the Brimbank & North West Star Weekly! The article highlights the team's incredible dedication and hard work, which led to us being named finalists for the prestigious Robin Clark Making a Difference Award. It is safe to say we have our fingers crossed, with the winners announced later tonight!

Kinship carers hold a unique and essential role within the foster care system. They are often family members or close family friends who step in to care for children when their birth parents are unable to do so. This type of care not only provides children with a sense of continuity and familiarity but also helps maintain vital cultural and familial connections. The commitment and love shown by kinship carers are truly remarkable. They navigate complex emotional landscapes, often balancing their own lives with the additional responsibilities of raising a child. Their dedication ensures that children can grow up in a supportive environment, surrounded by people who understand and cherish their heritage and identity. During Kinship Carer Week 2024, we want to take a moment to celebrate all carers who walk alongside us on this journey. Your contribution is invaluable. To all the kinship carers out there, we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you. Your strength, resilience and unwavering commitment are an inspiration to us all. Happy Kinship Carers Week! https://lnkd.in/gvd4HZXS

This week is NAPCAN National Child Protection Week. A week where we unite to raise awareness, advocate for the safety of children, and empower them to thrive. This year's Child Protection theme “Every Conversation Matters,” highlights the power of meaningful conversations that help keep children and young people safe. Whether these are conversations with children and young people that equip them with the tools they need to stay safe, or conversations between decision-makers and community leaders - the message is to speak up. Every conversation matters. At OzChild, we're dedicated to being a courageous voice for change and elevating the voices of children and young people, respecting their lived experience. Earlier this year, some of OzChild's Youth consultants attended CREATE's Voices in Action conference with Matt Brady, OzChild's Children & Young Person Engagement Advisor. The consultants participated in a series of workshops, and their ideas and feedback contributed to policy recommendations that were presented to parliament. "It's so important to give young people with lived experience in out-of-home care an opportunity to participate in events like this. It helps them recognise they deserve to have a voice alongside their peers, policymakers, service providers, researchers, carers, and workers when talking about the child protection system." To learn more about the conference and OzChild's Youth Consultants, visit: https://lnkd.in/gjz6RHFA

OzChild is proud to endorse a series of insightful webinars hosted by NAPCAN for National Child Protection Week 2024. These sessions are designed to educate, inspire and empower us all to take part in keeping children safe. Here’s a rundown of the webinars you can join: 👉 Monday 2 September at 10am: Let's talk: a national approach to prioritising children 👉 Monday 2 September at 2pm: Child protection services need a culture shift - NOW 👉 Tuesday 3 September at 10:30am: Intergenerational Solidarity - The pursuit for justice 👉 Wednesday 4 September at 10:30am: Intersectionality - Young people leading the way 👉 Wednesday 4 September at 2pm: Working with culturally and linguistically diverse children in out-of-home care 👉 Thursday 5 September at 10:30am: Cultural currents - shifting media dynamics 👉 Friday 6 September at 10:30am: The digital playground: Safeguarding young people's future To register or read more about these webinars, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gVR-QQrY

Wishing the Putting Families First (PFF) team the best of luck at the 2024 Victorian Protecting Children Awards next week!  This multi-agency team have been announced as finalists for the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award.  We’re exceptionally proud of the positive outcomes the PFF team are achieving for families in contact, or at risk of contact with the child protection and justice systems.  74% of families referred to the program are from a CALD background, and many face critical issues such as gang involvement, AOD dependencies, and homelessness. The team’s interdisciplinary approach, tailored to cultural needs, seamlessly breaks down barriers that prevent many families from accessing necessary support, and seamlessly links families to the right local services. With success stories that include families achieving stable housing and employment to children attending school when they were previously disengaged, the transformative impact of the program extends beyond individual families to foster a stronger, more resilient community.    Thanks to our PFF partners - Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS), Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO), Charis and VACCA - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency. Read the full article here https://lnkd.in/gqd6x3zy

At OzChild, we're celebrating the passion and pride of LGBTQIA+ young people today and every day. This year’s theme, "Your Passion, Your Pride," is all about embracing what makes you unique and the celebration of LGBTQIA+ people openly and visibly achieving their dreams in sport, art, science and more! We believe in creating a world where everyone feels safe, supported and empowered to follow their passions with pride. Let's stand up for inclusivity and make sure every young person knows they are valued and loved. #WearItPurple #YourPassionYourPride #InclusivityMatters

This week, the Government of New South Wales (NSW Government) announced its commitment to supporting NSW Public Sector employees who are foster carers by revising parental leave arrangements. The new policy allows foster carers to access up to 16 weeks of paid leave, providing them with crucial time to help children settle into their new environments.   Changes like this deserve recognition not only within the department but across the entire sector, as this is a shift many have been advocating for over the years. With this announcement, NSW joins Victoria in setting a precedent. However, there is still more to be done. We need to see similar leadership across all states and territories, ensuring that public servants who are foster carers have access to adequate parental leave support.   But why stop there? Imagine the impact of corporate organisations also taking the lead in this area.   The Hon Kate Washington MP, Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Inclusion emphasised the urgent need for carers when announcing these changes in NSW, but this is not an isolated problem. Across the country, the number of foster care households has either remained static or decreased in most jurisdictions. And to make matters worse, the number exiting the system is increasing.   Additional support like paid parental leave is just one piece of a puzzle to remove barriers for people considering becoming a carer or remaining a carer. The National Foster Care Sustainability Group envisions a future where every child in foster care experiences a healthy, sustainable, and supportive family home. We are dedicated to advocating for much-needed reforms in a foster care system currently in crisis. Introducing paid parental leave for foster carers is a positive step forward, but we must also ensure adequate access to funding for the medical and therapeutic needs of children and young people. Additionally, providing tax allowances and superannuation benefits is crucial for securing the future of foster care and the wellbeing of children. Highlighting the need for change is a vital part of this important journey, but we also need leaders in the private sector to join us in making a difference. Adopt Change, Anglicare Victoria, Australian Foster Care Association, Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare, Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers SA Inc, Families Australia, Key Assets (Australia), Life Without Barriers, MacKillop Family Services, OzChild, PeakCare Queensland, SNAICC - National Voice for our Children & the First Nations NGO Alliance representation.