Category: Media Releases

The Victorian peak body for community child and family services says the real work begins today following Premier Baillieu’s release in Parliament of the report of a year-long inquiry on Victoria’s vulnerable children.

The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare says the Inquiry’s 90 recommendations now pose the challenge for government of taking the once-in-a-generation opportunity to respond to what the panel has recommended and to invest in really helping vulnerable children, young people and families.

The Baillieu Government’s publication of disturbing data on the most serious incidents in out-of-home care is a welcome step in the right direction and is a reason for strengthening Victoria’s human rights charter, not weakening it, according to the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare.

“Transparent data and stronger measures to protect rights would together make a compelling case for action to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people,” said Centre President, Mr Kevin Zibell, today.

When we celebrate the contribution of all fathers this Fathers’ Day, we should also acknowledge as a community the 1200 men of all ages and from all walks of life who are foster dads for children and young people who can’t live with their families, according to the peak organisation for child and family services in Victoria.

A forum today will hear that volunteers who house and care for thousands of Victoria’s vulnerable children and young people are subsidising the real costs of care due to inadequate government reimbursement.