In recognition of the International Day of Families, the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) celebrates the diversity of Victorian families, from birth families to found families and beyond.
This year’s theme considers demographic change and its impact on families, with global trends showing modern families are being shaped by declining marriage, fertility and mortality rates as well as rising divorce, separation and widowhood rates.
At home, the COVID-19 pandemic, recent emergencies and the rising cost of living are also impacting family structures and lifestyles.
As Victoria’s peak body for child and family services, the Centre is proud to support families of varying demographics across the state, with our members committed to meeting their changing circumstances and needs now and into the future.
The child and family services sector has consistently demonstrated adaptability and innovation in responding to families and the support they require, with Centre CEO Deb Tsorbaris saying families themselves have an enormous amount of knowledge and should play a central role in service design and delivery.
“We echo the UN’s calls for policies that respond to the shifting makeup of families and safeguard their ongoing wellbeing. No child, young person, family or carer should be left behind,” Ms Tsorbaris said.
The International Day of Families is followed by a week-long celebration of families in all their diverseness, with this year’s National Families Week recognising the theme of ‘Living Real, Dreaming Big’.
