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Fuel crisis creating critical barriers for Victorian families and child and family services
01 Apr 2026
Victoria’s child and family services are sounding the alarm as the fuel crisis intensifies, driving a surge in financial hardship for families and placing frontline services under significant strain. -
Strengthening Child-centred practice after fatal family violence
01 Apr 2026
The Centre's OPEN team brought together practitioners, researchers and lived experience advocates for the launch of a new Spotlight page on Children impacted by Fatal Family Violence and a children’s illustrated book 'What Ally Needs Now', with hundreds attending online and in-person. -
Early childhood education and care sector interim report tabled
31 Mar 2026
A parliamentary committee investigating Victoria’s early childhood education and care sector has heard evidence of educator shortages, staff working under sustained pressure, and inadequate resources, support and training to meet children’s complex needs. -
The politics of invisibility: why trans young people need more than symbolic support
31 Mar 2026
Transgender young people in Australia continue to face profound barriers to safety, health care and social recognition — barriers that are not simply personal, but political. To acknowledge Trans Visibility Day this year, we go back to a 2024 article from Children Australia, written by Theo Boltman. -
Shining light through the cracks: Embedding cultural respect in a time of division
25 Mar 2026
The Centre’s Interim CEO, Dr Michele Lonsdale, reflects on Cultural Diversity Week and why celebration alone is not enough to achieve a genuinely inclusive and culturally safe Australia. -
Strengthening culturally responsive care: new Multicultural Practice Resources launched
23 Mar 2026
The Centre was honoured to host the launch of a new suite of Multicultural Practice Resources designed to support multicultural young people in out-of-home care, developed by Mackillop Family Services and the Centre for Multicultural Youth. -
Submission to the 2026-27 Commonwealth Budget
12 Mar 2026
The Federal Government has a watershed opportunity to implement a bold and visionary budget which places children at its heart and draws on the best available evidence of what works to keep children, young people, families and communities safe and thriving. -
Looking for positives amongst recurring disasters
10 Mar 2026
For individuals and families who have suffered loss and dislocation, it is hard to find positives amid frequent and intense natural disasters. There are green shoots however in the systems that support effective response and recovery. Here are three emerging positives and ways in which each can, indeed must, be developed further. -
A conversation on care experienced leadership with Churchill Fellow Clare Holdsworth (UK)
06 Mar 2026
The Centre's OPEN team was honoured to host Clare Holdsworth for a sector gathering focused on building meaningful, safe and impactful employment pathways for care experienced young people. -
Nation-leading Victorian reforms strengthen safety, stability and support for children in care
06 Mar 2026
Two significant pieces of legislation passed Victorian Parliament this week, including a nation-leading shift to shared responsibility for children in, leaving, and at risk of entering state care. -
Kinship carers learn and connect at Werribee retreat
27 Feb 2026
Last weekend, Carer Kafe welcomed 59 kinship carers to their first learning and development retreat of the year at Werribee Park Mansion on the lands of the Bunurong people. The two-day event offered a restorative and enriching opportunity to learn and connect with other carers who share similar experiences.
