Supporting children’s wellbeing through connection, culture and care: Latrobe Family Services recognised for impactful practice

With a multidisciplinary team, trauma-informed frameworks and a culturally safe approach, Latrobe Family Services, part of Latrobe City Council was named a finalist in the 2025 Victorian Early Years Awards (VEYA) for their commitment to child wellbeing. In this interview with The Sector, Latrobe Family Services Coordinator Early Learning and Care Nick Hodson shares insights into the team’s inclusive model, community partnerships, and ongoing mission to support children and families in Gippsland.

Fiona: Can you tell us a little about Latrobe Family Services and your approach to supporting children’s health and wellbeing in the early years?

Nick: Latrobe Family Services sits within the Community Strengthening team at Latrobe City Council. It encompasses two core portfolios, Family Health and Development, and Early Learning and Care. A broad range of programs are delivered with a consistent focus on ‘what is best for children and families’. The team prioritises listening to stakeholders, maximising opportunities to elevate outcomes, and adopting a holistic, connected approach.

Fiona: What does being recognised as a VEYA finalist mean to your team, and how does it reflect your broader mission?

Nick: Preparing the VEYA application prompted valuable reflection on the breadth of work undertaken, and the outcomes achieved, something not often afforded amid the busy demands of day-to-day delivery. Recognition has been humbling, offering the team a powerful reminder of the difference their work is making in children’s lives. It has provided an opportunity to take stock, reaffirm their impact, and feel encouraged to keep going.

Fiona: How do your trauma-informed mentoring and allied health integration work in practice to support children with additional needs or complex life experiences?

Nick: Latrobe Family Services applies the Berry Street Education Model, Early Years (BSEM), an evidence-based framework that underpins everyday practice. A dedicated mentor employed by Latrobe City Council provides consistent support for over 250 educators through education, coaching and training. This enables educators to confidently support children with complex backgrounds and behaviours of concern, using regulation strategies, adapted environments and appropriate language.
These supports have significantly reduced behaviours of concern and strengthened educators’ capacity, workplace satisfaction, and effectiveness. For children, this results in better attendance, improved learning, and most importantly, a greater sense of safety. Allied health integration further enhances this model, as educators can focus on teaching while in-service support professionals, such as speech pathologists and nurses, assist with referrals, assessments and direct care needs.

Fiona: Can you tell us more about the role and impact of your Aboriginal Programs Team in shaping culturally safe and responsive care?

Nick: The Aboriginal Programs Team works from two main perspectives: engaging with the community to identify and reduce attendance barriers, and supporting services to deliver culturally safe and responsive care. Through close collaboration with the Department of Education, the team implements a cultural reflection tool and builds strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
An example of this work includes the ‘Yarn and Cuppa’ initiative, which brought together existing families and newly enrolled families at kindergarten to share stories, experiences and the value of early learning. This culturally respectful initiative contributed to strengthened attendance in Term 1, 2025.

Fiona: What challenges have you encountered in delivering these services, and how have you navigated them?

Nick: Like many services, the team faces the ongoing challenge of workforce shortages. Passion and commitment often drive an eagerness to do everything at once, which can strain capacity. However, the team remains focused on what can be controlled and has strengthened partnerships with TAFE and other providers to support workforce sustainability. Being an employer of choice also assists with recruitment and retention.

Fiona: How do you work with families and communities to strengthen outcomes and ensure continuity of care?

Nick: Relationships are central, both with families and children, and with external partners such as schools, health services and the Department of Education. Latrobe City Council also operates programs such as the Kindergarten Inclusion Support (KIS) and Preschool Field Officer (PSFO) programs, along with the Child and Regional Education Zone (CREZ), creating a streamlined, coordinated system of support.
Importantly, many local schools now implement the BSEM framework, which was a key factor in adopting it across early years services. This alignment supports continuity for children transitioning into school, helping them feel safe and ready to learn.

Fiona: What advice would you share with other services looking to adopt more inclusive, multidisciplinary or trauma-informed approaches?

Nick: Start with a clear plan. Acknowledge that change can feel like loss for some, and that transitions will affect individuals differently. Where educators work across multiple sites, a shared framework and consistent practice principles are invaluable to supporting alignment, strengthening educator confidence, and delivering better outcomes for children.

As the early childhood education and care sector continues to navigate complexity, Latrobe Family Services demonstrates the power of integrated, inclusive and trauma-informed approaches. By embedding evidence-based practice, honouring cultural knowledge, and investing in educator capability, the team is creating environments where every child feels safe, supported and ready to thrive. Their VEYA finalist recognition is not only a celebration of past achievements, but a testament to the ongoing impact of thoughtful, connected leadership in the early years.