Association of Children's Welfare Agencies

ACWA CEO, Simone Czech, took part in a panel discussion at the Lyra Taylor Social Work Impact Summit yesterday, hosted by the Australian Association of Social Workers. Simone joined sector leaders for the session, Children as Victim Survivors: Navigating Risk, Trauma and Complexity, exploring what child centred practice really looks like in high risk situations. The panel discussed cumulative harm, the importance of children’s voice and safety, and approaches that support recovery. Simone joined former Barnardos CEO Dierdre Cheers, their newly appointed CEO Kate Alexander, and Richard Ayoub, lived experience advocate, for a thoughtful and grounded conversation. The summit is the only national event this year focused on family violence through a social work lens, offering an important opportunity to reflect, share insights, and strengthen collaboration across the sector. #ACWA #SocialWork #FamilyViolence #ChildSafety #SectorCollaboration

Today, on #UniversalChildrensDay, ACWA stands with our members across the child and family sector for #RespectInAdvocacy. Sharing the personal stories of children, young people, or families in care without consent is never OK. Advocacy must protect; not exploit those we support. We reaffirm our shared commitment to privacy, consent, and respect in all storytelling, advocacy and sharing the voices of those we support. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gz__twsD Please repost the campaign to increase awareness. Life Without Barriers Barnardos Australia William Campbell Foundation CASPA Services AbSec Challenge Community Services Pathfinders Ltd Southern Youth and Family Services Samaritans Uniting Key Assets (Australia) OzChild Creating Links (NSW) Ltd CareSouth Mission Australia Allambi Care CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning Burdekin Youth services Allies for Children Australia Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn Catholic Care Diocese of Wollongong #RespectInAdvocacy #ProtectDontExploitChildren #RespectChildrenInAdvocacy #Respectyoungpeople #UniversalChildrensDay

Today, on #UniversalChildrensDay, ACWA stands with our members across the child and family sector for #RespectInAdvocacy. Sharing the personal stories of children, young people, or families in care without consent is never OK. Advocacy must protect; not exploit those we support. We reaffirm our shared commitment to privacy, consent, and respect in all storytelling, advocacy and sharing the voices of those we support. Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/gz__twsD Please repost the campaign to increase awareness. Life Without Barriers Barnardos Australia William Campbell Foundation CASPA Services AbSec Challenge Community Services Pathfinders Ltd Southern Youth and Family Services Samaritans Uniting Key Assets (Australia) OzChild Creating Links (NSW) Ltd CareSouth Mission Australia Allambi Care CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning Burdekin Youth services Allies for Children Australia Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn Catholic Care Diocese of Wollongong #RespectInAdvocacy #ProtectDontExploitChildren #RespectChildrenInAdvocacy #Respectyoungpeople #UniversalChildrensDay

ACWA CEO Simone Czech attended the AbSec Sector Forum today, joining sector leaders, community organisations, and advocacy partners for a full day of discussion focused on strengthening outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people, families, and communities. The forum explored key issues shaping the child and family sector, including findings from the IPART review of out of home care pricing, housing pathways for young people exiting care, barriers to restoration, genuine partnership approaches with ACCOs, and national perspectives on delegated authority and system reform. A standout session was the panel discussion featuring John Leha, CEO of AbSec, Gemma McKinnon, Principal Solicitor CtG at the @Aboriginal Legal Service, and Paul Gray, Professor at UTS Jumbunna Institute. The conversation focused on the need for an Aboriginal Commissioner, reinforced by the clear message that the 'system must be accountable to community'. ACWA values these opportunities to listen, learn, and work in partnership with Aboriginal leaders and organisations committed to driving change. Our thanks to AbSec for convening this important forum and for continuing to champion the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and families across NSW. #ACWA #AbSec #ChildProtection #OOHC #FamilySupport #AboriginalChildrenAndFamilies #SectorCollaboration

ACWA recently attended the Central West Local Collaboration Forum as part of the Homes NSW Roadshow, contributing to sector discussions on the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025–2035 and the Homes for NSW strategy. As part of our Family Safety Collaboration project, ACWA highlighted the importance of coordinated, place based approaches that strengthen safety and stability for children, young people, families, and communities. These forums continue to highlight how shared insight, strong local partnerships, and practical solutions can reduce homelessness and improve pathways to safety and wellbeing. The event brought together organisations across the homelessness and housing sectors to exchange knowledge, deepen connections, and explore community informed responses that reflect the needs of the region. ACWA values opportunities to support these conversations and to work collaboratively with partners committed to ensuring every person in NSW has access to safe, secure housing. #ACWA #HomelessnessStrategy #HomesNSW #HousingSupport #CommunitySector #PlaceBasedApproach #ChildrenAndFamilies #Collaboration

ACWA is pleased to partner with Fams NSW on this joint sector consult to help shape the proposed DSS reforms and ensure any changes strengthen support for children, young people, families and communities.

Join ACWA and our Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT) for “Working with People who Use Coercive Control: What Practitioners Need to Know,” on Wednesday 10 December 2025, 12:00–1:30 pm (AEDT). Why you should register now: ✅ Gain a deeper understanding of the new NSW Coercive Control Legislation, how it works, what it means for practitioners. ✅ Explore how to support children, young people and families when coercive control is at play, from recognising impact to building response strategies. Hear from our expert panel: • Dr Robert Urquhart (Facilitator, Barnardos Australia) • Rodney Vlais (Independent Practitioner) • Uncle Greg Strong (Education Centre Against Violence) • Dr Grace Jennings (University of Wollongong & Relationships Australia NSW) This is your chance to step into a more informed, confident practice space when working with families where coercive control is present. Spaces are limited! Registration closes 24 hours before the event. Register here for Webinar #5: https://lnkd.in/gC9qjgyt Help us spread the word: tag a colleague or share this post with your team. Let’s equip the NSW workforce to respond with clarity, capability and care. #FromConversationToAction #CoerciveControl #ChildProtection #ACWA #CCWT #WorkforceDevelopment #NSWReform

In a new weekly series, ACWA will share a short question to inspire reflection and dialogue across the sector. Our goal is to showcase the great work, ideas, collaborations, and good news stories of our members and partners who are driving positive change for children, young people, and families. Too often, the focus is on what’s going wrong, and this series aims to share what’s going right and highlight the positive stories that deserve to be heard. We begin with: What’s a story from your work that reminds you why you do what you do? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Together we can highlight what’s working, celebrate success, and recognise the incredible impact that agencies, staff, practitioners, caseworkers, and carers make every day across our sector. #ACWA #ChildWelfare #FamilySupport #CommunitySector #SocialWork #Collaboration #Innovation #PositiveChange #ChildrenAndFamilies #SectorVoices #GoodNews

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has released its Final Report on Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Costs and Pricing, a major milestone in recognising what it takes to deliver quality care for children and young people in NSW. ACWA welcomes the report’s progress in setting clearer benchmarks, acknowledging complexity, and supporting fairer, more sustainable funding for carers and providers. At the same time, it highlights the ongoing challenges that continue to impact the sector and the need for real reform to ensure a system that is sustainable, fair, and child-centred. The Premier tabled the Final Report in Parliament on 20 October 2025 and you can read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gpEN8U6a #ACWA #OutOfHomeCare #IPART #ChildWelfare #CarersMatter #FundingReform #SocialImpact #NSWCommunity

We’re officially just two weeks out from the 2025 National Foster & Kinship Care Conference – and it’s shaping up to be an incredible event! If you’ve been thinking about joining us, there’s still time to secure your seat. Tickets are still available – but not for long! This is your chance to be part of an event that brings together passionate voices, fresh ideas and practical insights shaping the future of child welfare. 👤 For individuals: Come connect, learn and be inspired. Whether you’re a carer, advocate or professional in the sector, this conference is your space to grow and recharge. 🏢 For agencies and organisations: Consider sponsoring your carers or staff to attend. It’s an investment in their learning, wellbeing and the quality of care they deliver. Plus, you’ll strengthen your agency’s connections across the sector. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gSu8T_Sz We can’t wait to see you there! Carers for Kids NSW