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Our work

Proudly strengthening the sector, building resilience, collaboration and shared success.

Last updated: 22 Jul 2026

Our purpose

We strengthen and guide the sector, building resilience, collaboration and shared success.

As the voice of organisations and individuals dedicated to advancing child and family wellbeing, we set the standards for professional education and practice in child and family services.

Our areas of expertise

Our programs and projects

Early Start, Bright Future

Supporting professionals to connect families with early learning opportunities, prioritising kindergarten access and inclusive participation.

Child Safe Standards

Ensuring every organisation providing services or facilities for children implements Child Safe Standards.

Switch to Social Work

A pilot program designed to create a contemporary, highly skilled, and diverse child and family services workforce.

Raising Expectations

Supporting young people in out-of-home care, or with care experience, to access and thrive in vocational and higher education.

Education in Out-of-Home Care

Improving educational outcomes for children and young people in care by equipping professionals and carers with the knowledge and skills to navigate the education system and access support.

Outcomes, Practice and Evidence Network (OPEN)

Building evidence from research, practice and client experience to deliver better outcomes.

Family Preservation Reunification Response (FPRR)

Integrating evidence-informed Practice and Cultural Practice Elements to increase child safety.

Lived Experience Design Project

Bringing together expert birth parents with lived experience of child protection to design policy and reform solutions.

Adolescent Violence in the Home (AVITH)

Increasing the evidence base for addressing adolescent violence in the home.

Carer Kafe

Strengthening Victorian foster and kinship carers through free learning opportunities.

The Child Wellbeing Project

Centring children and young people in practice.

Children Australia

An open-access scholarly journal equipping the sector with a robust knowledge base to improve outcomes.

Fostering Connections

Providing prospective foster carers with enhanced support, shaped by industry and driven by sector.

Social Scope

Sector-led benchmarking.

Our values

Policy and Ideas

Develop, influence and advocate for public policies that advance the rights and wellbeing of children, young people and families and address the social, economic and cultural barriers to improving their lives.

Research and Practice

Lead and share research to support innovation and evidence-informed practice.

Capacity Building

Strengthen the capacity of organisations to provide services that best suit the needs of vulnerable families and children.

Resource hub

Enhance your expertise, empower your practice and broaden your understanding.

Find out more

Upcoming Centre events

View all events

ResiROCKS 2026

August 6 @ 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

ResiROCKS is back in 2026! Mark your calendars and save the date for the Centre’s biggest event of the year. When: Thursday, 6 August 2026 Where: Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds How: Tickets […]

Events
ResiROCKS

Latest Centre news

Acknowledgement of Service Award 2026: Congratulations Dr Lynette Buoy

24 Jul 2026

The Centre congratulates recently retired CEO of Windemere Family Services, Dr Lynette Buoy, as the recipient of the Centre’s 2026 Acknowledgement of Service Award.

News

Parent Portal now available for Victorian families

02 Jul 2026

The Victorian Government’s Parent Portal brings trusted services and information together in one tool, via the Service Victoria app and website.

Children

National leadership needed to address youth crime

01 Jul 2026

Without national leadership young people will continue to be caught up in systems that are reactive and punitive, rather than focused on prevention, healing and long-term community safety.

Perspectives

Our Members

Become a member

The Centre’s membership benefits build collaboration, advocacy, and capacity within the child and family services sector, ensuring a more resilient and supportive environment that provides better outcomes for children and families.