First Nations early childhood partnership recognised at 2025 IPAA Awards

A groundbreaking partnership between the Department of Education and SNAICC, National Voice for our Children has been recognised at this year’s IPAA ACT Spirit of Service Awards, highlighting the power of collaboration to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership Co-Secretariat was named a finalist in the Collaboration category at the 2025 awards, which honour excellence and innovation in public service across the Australian Capital Territory and beyond.

The recognition reflects the Policy Partnership’s commitment to genuine shared decision-making and its alignment with Priority Reform One of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, building and strengthening formal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Established under the auspices of the Closing the Gap framework, the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership is co-led by SNAICC and the Australian Government Department of Education. The partnership plays a critical role in advising and co-designing early years policy, with a strong focus on community leadership, cultural safety and structural reform.

SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle welcomed the recognition, saying it reflects the deep respect and shared responsibility that underpin the Partnership’s work.

“We know that the best outcomes for our children happen when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are not only heard, but lead the way,” Ms Liddle said.

“This recognition is a testament to the strength of our collaboration — and a reminder of what can be achieved when governments work in true partnership with community.”

The Partnership’s work includes identifying systemic barriers to early childhood development, aligning service delivery with cultural strengths, and supporting community-controlled early education and care (ECEC) services across the country.

As the sector continues to focus on Closing the Gap and building a strong, culturally safe early years workforce, the Policy Partnership provides a model for what meaningful, effective collaboration can look like in practice.

To learn more about the Policy Partnership, visit: Department of Education, Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership