Nominations are now open for Victoria’s most celebrated child protection awards that highlight Victorians who work tirelessly to protect and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable children and their families.
The Victorian Government’s Victorian Protecting Children Awards recognise those who are committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm, or who show service excellence in child protection work.
Nominations can be made across 14 award categories, including child protection-specific categories, and those that recognise achievements in the child and family services sector.
There are also awards that acknowledge people and teams working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people, and prioritise connection to culture, community and Country.
Child protection practitioners, carers, academics and community sector staff from across the state, along with people working in family services and educational programs or contributing to child protection policy and practice can all be nominated.
Previous winners include the Bendigo and Aboriginal District Cooperative for their work on the Section 18 “As If” pilot program, and MacKillop CEO Dr Robyn Miller for her inspirational leadership.
Nominations close on 15 May 2019 and winners will be announced at the Victorian Protecting Children Award gala event held in Melbourne during Child Protection Week from 1 until 7 September 2019.
The Victorian Government continues to lead the nation in implementing reforms to protect children from harm, being one of the first states to sign up to the national redress scheme, new duty of care requirements and tougher child sexual abuse offence laws.
Source: Vic Government