Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

18/06/2026

Tomorrow the Centre will welcome family services practitioners, leaders and partners to Together with Famlilies, our annual Family Services Symposium. It's a day of networking and knowledge sharing to celebrate the central role of family services in promoting the wellbeing of children and families.

Victoria’s family services play a crucial role in uplifting individuals and communities by providing essential support to children, young people, and families. These services are designed to create safe, caring, and nurturing environments, promoting overall wellbeing and development.

When families are supported, communities thrive.

Learn more at https://loom.ly/oD58-98

18/06/2026

Join us for the Cross Peaks FVSV Knowledge Hub webinar where researchers Wendy Bunston, Maureen Long, Margarita Frederico, Samantha Ware and Ania O’Brien will present findings from recent Australian research exploring an infant and child-led therapeutic approach delivered alongside key workers supporting families identified as at risk.

Drawing on their retrospective Australian study, the session will explore how centring infants and children in practice can improve family engagement, deepen worker empathy, and strengthen practice – even when time and resources are limited.

This webinar will be relevant to practitioners, program managers, researchers, policymakers and anyone interested in infant mental health, family support, child-centred practice, and service responses for families.

📆 Date: 25 June 2026
🕜 Time: 12:30-1:30pm
💻 Format: Online
👉 Register here: https://loom.ly/0Uz_Rxg

Related insights and resources are available via the FVSV Knowledge Hub: https://loom.ly/bGNiGDo

18/06/2026

Only 1 more day until the Family Services Symposium!

This year's program features opportunities to hear from keynote speakers Jelena Dokic, Ashley Fell, and Adele Ferguson plus unique learning opportunities, presentations and panel discussions. We look forward to seeing you there!

🎟️The Symposium is sold out! Join the waitlist: https://loom.ly/oD58-98

17/06/2026

Just one more sleep!

We're excited to welcome Victoria's child and family services workforce back to Together For Families, the Centre's Family Services Symposium in Melbourne tomorrow.

Each year the Symposium brings together family services practitioners, leaders, and partners for a day of networking and knowledge sharing to celebrate the central role of family services in promoting the wellbeing of children and families.

Learn more at https://loom.ly/oD58-98

17/06/2026

On Monday Centre staff participated in Koorie Heritage Trust Inc's Birrarung Wilam Walk.

It was an incredibly insightful and reflective experience that deepened our team's understanding of the history and culture of the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Along the walk, we explored stories of the Birrarung, the significance of Birrarung Wilam, and the meaning of First Nations customs, and practices through artworks and artefacts.

A big thank you to the Koorie Heritage Trust and our guide, Gurrenah Foley, for sharing their knowledge and for creating such a meaningful experience for our team.

Find Koorie Heritage Trust at Fed Square, and learn more here: https://loom.ly/MMty3Qc

17/06/2026

A new offence of recruiting a child to commit a serious crime will be introduced into the Victorian state parliament today. The new legislation increases the penalty from 10 to 15 years in prison to a maximum penalty of life in jail.

ABC News says crime syndicates are using encrypted digital platforms to recruit vulnerable teenagers with intellectual disabilities, low IQ and no criminal history.

"Organised crime bosses who recruit kids to torch venues and invade homes deserve no sympathy," Premier Jacinta Allan said.

Read the full story at https://loom.ly/vXYQt9E

16/06/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

This Pride Month, the Centre is proud to share our journey toward Rainbow Tick Accreditation as part of our ongoing commitment to creating a workplace where all staff feel included, supported, and safe. "Because inclusion isn't something we can just tick off once, it's something we need to keep showing up for time and time again"

The Rainbow Tick is a national quality framework that recognises organisations who engage in safe, inclusive, and affirming practices in the workplace for the LGBTQI+ community. Learn more: https://loom.ly/ni0Qcbo

16/06/2026

It's the final countdown!🎵 Family Services Symposium is less than 4 days away!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers Jelena Dokic, Ashley Fell, and Adele Ferguson plus unique learning opportunities, presentations and panel discussions.

🎟️The Symposium is nearly sold out! Secure your tickets now: https://loom.ly/oD58-98

15/06/2026

Youth workers and mentors will be embedded in two major Melbourne hospitals under a new state government-funded pilot program designed to divert injured youth offenders away from a life of crime.

The $2.5 million program gives young people admitted to trauma units connection with a youth worker or mentor, who will be able to offer practical support to help them turn their life around.

16Yards Mentor Jacob Kuol says youth workers like him can navigate young people out of that life.

“A lot of young people have low self-esteem, and they don’t believe in themselves. I just help them believe in themselves and let them know that you are meant to be greater, you are worth more.”

Read The Age https://loom.ly/NKNwFYc

Youth workers and mentors will be embedded in two major Melbourne hospitals under a pilot program to divert young offenders away from crime.

15/06/2026

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Susan Hayward, researcher and practitioner at Swinburne University of Technology, to the Centre's staff meeting to present on Neurodiversity in the Workplace. 🧠

It was a thoughtful and engaging session that gave our team fresh perspectives on building more inclusive, supportive environments where everyone can do their best work. Thank you, Dr Hayward, for sharing your expertise and sparking such valuable conversation.