The Centre formally celebrates its 100th year
The Centre formally celebrates its 100th yearOctober has been another busy month at the Centre.
We hosted our AGM at the Melbourne Museum, with in excess of 110 sector collegues present to celebrate our 100th anniversary. Dr Simon Longstaff from the St James Ethics Centre gave the keynote presentation, with formal proceedings followed by drinks, canapes and birthday cake – complete with an edible 100th anniversary logo.
Last week Victorian Parliament delivered its official apology to victims of forced adoptions, which is an vital step in the reconcilliation process. The Centre’s official statement can be found here.
We have also celebrated the Victorian Government’s introduction of the Commission for Children and Young People Bill 2012, which will deliver an independent body capable of launching individual and self-initiated investigations. The Centre’s official statement, which was made following this announcement, can be found here.
Annual Report
The 2012 Annual Report celebrates our significant achievements since forming in 1912, and details much of the hard work performed throughout the past financial year.
The electronic version is available here. Hard copies are available on request.
RCLDS Census
Together with the RCLDS Reference Group, the Centre has recently launched the 2012 RCLDS Workforce Census.
The survey findings will be used to shape the future workforce strategy to improve outcomes for vulnerable children. More →
The Circle Report Launch
The Circle Report LaunchLast Friday a large group of foster carers, Circle Program team leaders, DHS representatives and interested sector staff filled the Centre’s training room to see Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary launch the evaluation of The Circle therapeutic foster care pilot programs. More →
Position Statement
Position StatementAt our recent AGM, we launched the Centre’s position statement Sharing Social Responsibility, which details our strategic priorities for the Victorian Government’s reform agenda for vulnerable children and their families.
An electronic version of Sharing Social Responsibility can be found here.
Media Update
Media UpdateWith the recent apology to victims of forced adoptions, the announcement of the new Children’s Commission and ongoing Parliamentary Inquiry, our sector has received significant media coverage.
Details of particularly interesting reports from recent weeks can be found here.
Child Protection and Cultural Diversity Forum
The Centre, with a number of partners, is hosting a forum focused on providing better care to children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The forum will be hosted on the 29th November at the Jasper Hotel in Elizabeth Street. More →
Grant Applications
A number of grants have been recently been announced that CSOs and their clients may be interested in applying for.
Details are available here.
Family Support Program Future Directions Discussion Paper
As part of the Federal Government’s Family Support Program, this discussion paper has been commissioned to provide non-government organisations and other stakeholders with an opportunity to make written submissions that will help shape the future direction of the FSP. The paper is available here.
Kinship Care Research Report
Report 4 in the research series Family Links: Kinship Care and Family Contact has been released.
The report presents feedback from a large survey of Victorian kinship carers, and focus groups
with kinship carers and support workers. Details are available here.
Jeanne Kaniuk – Impact of High Frequency Contact seminar
Last week Jeanne Kaniuk – Head of Adoption and Permanent Families Service at the Coram Foundation in London – conducted a seminar exploring the impact high levels of parental contact has on children in foster and permanent care. More →
