NSW Children’s Week Committee
The NSW Committee is presently supported by:
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History
The NSW Committee has been reformed after several years of inactivity. In 2011 the NSW Committee progressively re-established leadership for Children’s Week™ with the plan to have substantial increase in support and resources available for 2012.
Get some ideas here and ORGANISE an event or activity. REGISTER your event or activity here or FIND an event or activity in your local area here.
If you would like to assist the NSW Children’s Week Committee please contact the NSW Children’s Week Committee Chair, Ms Jennifer Evans (who is also Australian Red Cross’ National Coordinator for Families and Children), via jeevans@redcross.org.au or phone (02) 9229 4269.
NSW Commission for Children and Young People
The Commission is an independent organisation that works with others to make NSW a better place for children and young people. The Commissioner, Megan Mitchell, reports directly to the NSW Parliament.
The Commission works to:
- Increase the participation of children and young people in decision-making that affects their lives
- Strengthen the important relationships in the lives of children and young people and improve their well-being
- Promotes the safety, welfare and well-being of children and young people
Specifically, the Commission:
- Has input into laws and policies that affect children and young people
- Undertakes research and monitors trends in child well-being
- Promotes awareness and understanding about kids’ issues
- Builds child-safe child-friendly organisations
- Implements and monitors the Working With Children Check
- Administers the Child Sex Offender Counsellor Accreditation Scheme
- Produces publications and resources about kids’ issues and kids’ participation
For more info, see www.kids.nsw.gov.au
Australian Red Cross
Australian Red Cross is part of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, with more than 13 million volunteers in 186 countries and 60,000 members and volunteers in Australia. Red Cross is committed to helping those in need in our community, from providing breakfast for hungry children every day to supporting the elderly and isolated in their own homes.
The work of Red Cross is focused on seven priority areas:
- Strengthening national emergency preparedness, response and recovery by working to reduce the negative impacts that disasters can have on individuals, households and communities
- Increasing international aid and development through partnerships with many other Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies around the world
- Strengthening communities in areas of locational disadvantage working with young people, families and communities
- Championing international humanitarian law to develop an understanding with the broader community that ‘even wards have laws’
- Addressing the impact of migration by providing support to refugees, asylum seekers, immigration detainees and other people who are vulnerable as a result of migration
- Partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples to build long-term and respectful partnerships and enable better life opportunities
The role of families and children is fundamental to all Red Cross activities, especially the area of early intervention. Red Cross works with communities to improve family wellbeing and facilitate safe and healthy environments for children and their families.
Red Cross works with families and children in a diverse range of situations, acknowledging that circumstances are different for every community. We recognise that each community has strengths and resources to contribute towards improving their situation and our approach focuses on implementing local solutions and building partnerships with communities and businesses, government and other agencies.
Our staff and volunteers provide case-based services and community development programs to support families, improve relationships, build resilience and prevent and respond to crises. We do this through skills development, training, mentoring and peer education activities.
For more info, see www.redcross.org.au
Network of Community Activities
Network of Community Activities was established in 1974 and is the peak body representing Out of School Hours Services in NSW.
Network of Community Activities represents the interests of children in their middle years (5-14 years) and services supporting them on State and National committees and advisory groups.
With a membership of over 700 Out of School Hours (OSHC) services our organisation is the recognised leader in the field of school age care.
For more info, see www.netoosh.org.au
Community Connections Solutions Australia
CCSA is a peak body that aims to facilitate quality outcomes for children through the provision of integrated management, industrial relations, governance and operational support to children’s services. CCSA has been operating for more than 42 years and has a strong knowledge of the issues faced by children’s services in rural, remote and regional areas. We run an annual program of regional training including forums and workshops and consultancies on specific issues faced by children’s services. CCSA has a strong base of knowledge and experience in these regional areas, a close relationship with its member services and a continuing commitment to regional and remote NSW. Currently CCSA has 600 members across NSW.
CCSA also runs Business Solutions, which provides accurate and timely payroll and bookkeeping services for children’s services organisations across NSW.
CCSA plays a leadership and advocacy role at a state and national level in order to:
- Advocate for high quality and affordable early childhood education and care services
- Encourage the government to be responsive to this sector’s needs
- Increase in community awareness about the value of qualified early childhood professionals
- Increase the understanding and importance of community managed services
- Promote effective workplaces
For more information see www.ccsa.org.au
Ethnic Child Care, Family and Community Services Cooperative
The Ethnic Child Care, Family and Community Services Cooperative Ltd (ECCFCSC) is an Information, Advocacy, Resource, Advisory and Training Agency. It provides a wide range of services that assist Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to achieve equity of access while receiving services.
The underpinning philosophy of the ECCFCSC is Social Justice, with particular emphasis on Access & Equity and Multiculturalism in Children’s, Aged, and Disability Services.The ECCFCSC is committed to ensuring that every Australian from a CALD background is provided with the opportunity to participate and receive services that are relevant, sensitive and appropriate to their linguistic, cultural and religious needs.
Currently the services are provided through the various projects of the ECCFCSC which include:
• Multicultural Access Projects – Inner West and Eastern Sydney
• Multicultural Respite Services
• Ethnic People with Disabilities Program
• Bicultural Support Pool
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), the ECCFCSC offers Certificate III in Children’s Services (CHC30708)
The Unit of competency, HLTHIR403B—Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers is also offered to Children, HACC, Disability and Aged Care service providers
Over the years, the various projects of the ECCFCSC have been important tools in supporting Children’s, Disability and Aged Care services in building culturally and linguistically appropriate and responsive services through training, advocacy, input into policies and resource development.
For more info, see www.eccfcsc.org
NSW Family Day Care Association
NSW Family Day Care Association (NSWFDCA) is the peak organisation for Family Day Care Schemes in NSW and has been operating for over 35 years.
Family day care is a unique early childhood service consisting of networks of carers/educators providing care and educational programs for children 0-12 years in their own homes. NSW Family Day Care provides care and education to approximately 25,000 children each day.
Each Family Day Care carer/educator is registered with a Family Day Care Co-ordination Unit and these co-ordination units, or schemes as they are often referred to support their network of carers/educators, families, and of course the children in their service.
There are approximately 100 Family Day Care Co-ordination Units throughout metropolitan, rural and remote NSW and each is licensed by the NSW Government, funded by the Australian Government and participates in the accreditation process through the National Childcare Council of Australia.
Members consist of Local Government sponsored schemes and Community Based Schemes – 99% of these services are our members. Members consist of Family Day Care Coordination Units and Registered carers /educators from those schemes. NSWFDCA meets with members quarterly at the State Meeting.
NSWFDCA organises an annual Professional Development and Networking Conference for the NSW family day care sector. NSWFDCA also provides professional support to members and the childcare sector in the provision of quality childcare through advocacy, recognized professional training, information dissemination, mentoring and a supported servicing network. NSWFDCA has 3 business arms:
- Professional Education Advancement Knowledge (PEAK) training – Is a Registered Training Organisation that has approximately 40 registered trainers to deliver accredited training and short courses by correspondence and face to face training.
- Professional Support Services Provider (PSSP) – Provides Professional Service Support to the Family Day Care sector in NSW and provides professional development to all Family Day Care schemes in NSW. Also operates toll free telephone for support and advice to Family Day Care sector in NSW.
- In Home Care Brokerage – In-home Care is a flexible form of childcare where care is provided in the child’s home by an approved carer/educator. Care is monitored and supported by an approved agency to ensure quality outcomes for children. In-home Care is not available to all families and is only available to families who meet the eligibility criteria as stated by DEEWR to access In-home Care.
For more info, see www.nswfdc.org.au
Community Child Care Co-operative
Community Child Care Co-operative (NSW) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1978 to promote, support and advocate for quality children’s services.
Advocacy and Peak
We are the peak body for community based children’s services in NSW.
We believe all children in NSW have the right to access quality, affordable early education and care services. We believe children’s services should be consulted about changes to programs and policy which will affect their operation.
We advocate on behalf of children’s services, individual services, children and families who use these services. Analysing how the Government’s policy changes will affect our members and presenting their views to Government is, in many ways, our most critical function.
Professional Learning
Community Child Care Co-operative provides professional development, resourcing and training for children’s services and children’s services staff, including:
- Nationally recognised and registered training for staff working in children’s services
- Professional development and support for children’s services
- Children’s Services Central is the Professional Support Co-ordinator in New South Wales and is an initiative funded by the Australian Government under the Inclusion and Professional Support Program and managed by key organisations that resource and support the sectors of children’s services in New South Wales
- Early education access programs designed to increase children’s access to early childhood education and to ensure families are aware of the benefits of early childhood education
Service Management
Community Child Care Co-operative supports community based not-for-profit management of children’s services. When specific communities can no longer manage their children’s service, Community Child Care can assist them by becoming the operator of the service.
Resources
Community Child Care Co-operative offers a wide range of resources and support services to the early childhood education and care sector. This includes training, books, manuals, online resources and advice to our members and staff to manage their services in the best way possible and achieve the highest standards possible.
For more info, see www.ccccnsw.org.au
Playgroup NSW
A not for profit organisation, Playgroup NSW works to provide services, information and resources to its members and affiliated Playgroups.
Since 1972, Playgroup NSW is where mums, dads, grandparents, carers, children and babies can come together in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Held in community venues across the state, a Playgroup generally meets for a two hour weekly session and is run by the parents and carers of children aged 0-6.
Playgroups offer fun, friendship and support to families, and encourage children’s learning and development through play.
Playgroup is low cost and accessible to all. There are dedicated Playgroups to support socially isolated, disadvantaged and Indigenous groups, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and children with chronic illness and disabilities.
To find out more information on Community Playgroups, Baby Playgroups, Supported Playgroups, PlayConnect and MyTime please visit www.playgroupnsw.com.au or call 1800 171 882.
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