Nominations are open for 2023 Victorian Protecting Children Awards

The annual Victorian Protecting Children Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, teams and groups who demonstrate excellence in working with children, young people and families, with 2023 nominations now open.

 

2023 is the 20th anniversary of the Awards which recognise and celebrate individuals, teams and groups who demonstrate excellence in working with children, young people, families and carers.

 

There are 11 categories of Awards, which are open to those working across the child and family services sector, child protection, government and academic organisations, and foster, kinship and permanent carers, volunteers, and community members.

 

Anyone can nominate people and teams for the awards, with nominations closing at 11.59 PM on Friday 19 May 2023. Finalists will be announced in early August, with an awards ceremony taking place in September.

 

Award categories

 

Robin Clark Leadership Award

 

The winner of this pre-eminent award epitomises Robin Clark and her legacy of inspiring leadership and influential stewardship of child and family policy and practice in Victoria.

 

This award recognises an individual whose leadership inspires others to act wisely and care deeply about achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families or carers.

 

Nominees in this category have a distinguished track record as visionary and transformative leaders in practice, policy, research or education.

 

Robin Clark Making a Difference Award

 

The team or group winners of this award embody Robin Clark’s vision and legacy of a well-connected community and service system contributing to better outcomes for children, young people and their families or carers.

 

This award recognises the exceptional contribution of a team or group of people who have worked to directly improve the lives of children, young people and their families or carers in Victoria. This can be in partnership or collaboration with government and non-government agencies.

 

The winners of this award strive to achieve excellence and their work shows insight, practicality and respect for the needs of children, young people and their families or carers, including supporting Aboriginal self-determination to achieve the best outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people and their families or carers.

 

Minister’s Award for Excellence in Protecting Children

 

This award recognises an individual, team or group that have advanced their approach or intervention to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families or carers.

 

These advances can be demonstrated across the child, youth and family services sector through case management, education, prevention and early intervention, or the provision of care to children and young people in care services (including secure welfare services).

 

Carer Award

 

This award recognises assessed and approved kinship, foster and permanent carers, both past and present, who have made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.

 

CREATE Positive Impacts Award

 

This award gives Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and young people aged 8 – 25 years the opportunity to nominate someone such as a carer, support worker or agency who has made a positive difference to their lives, particularly through assisting them to have a voice within the out-of-home care system.

 

Engaging Kids in School Award

 

This award recognises education is fundamental to the development of individuals and families and helps build a strong community.

 

The winners of this award are an individual, team or group who have supported children and young people in their schooling journey or introduced young children to early years and pre-school programs.

 

Nominees are committed to the very best outcomes for children and young people and demonstrate their ability to work with the education and child protection systems.

 

Keeping At Risk Young People Safe Award

 

This award recognises an individual, team or group that best supports at-risk youth. The winner of this award prioritises empowering young people in the decision-making process and assists them to achieve their goals.

 

Child and Youth Empowerment Award – Commission for Children and Young People

 

This award was established by the Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People and recognises an individual, team or organisation who has achieved excellence in realising children’s and young people’s right to meaningfully participate in matters affecting them.

 

Leaving a Legacy Award

 

This award recognises the people who have made a significant contribution to the child, youth, and family services sector throughout their career as well as making an impact on their local community.

 

‘Leaving a Legacy’ acknowledges those who have positively contributed to the sector and whose remarkable achievements should be highlighted.

 

The Walda Blow Aboriginal Children and Young People Award

 

This award recognises contributions of an Aboriginal person, persons or organisations in Victoria to the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people.

 

Chief Practitioner’s Award

 

The Chief Practitioner’s Award recognises an individual, team or group working in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing child protection program who embodies best practice, commitment and leadership.

 

Learn more about the Awards here.