The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare welcomes the recent Victorian Government announcement that the Orange Door network will expand to Melbourne’s south and inner-east, Ovens Murray, Wimmera South-west and Outer Gippsland.
While welcoming this progress and commitment, we also note the need for continual refinement of the model and to make sure these sites are fully prepared to meet the needs of families prior to opening.
The Orange Door provides a single point of entry for children, young people and adults experiencing family violence and for families experiencing difficulties that impact on their parenting or child’s wellbeing. It also connects families with a wide range of services that can provide extra help and support.
The Orange Door provides an opportunity to privilege children’s voices, maintain visibility over their safety and wellbeing, respond to their views and needs promptly, and link them into the necessary service supports to enable them to thrive.
The Centre will continue to work closely with Family Safety Victoria and other key stakeholders to make sure existing and new Orange Door sites are designed and implemented in ways that enable a timely and coordinated response to children, young people and families experiencing family violence or in need of additional support with care and wellbeing.
