November 2003

New centre for excellence in child welfare

The Government has contributed $650,000 to establish a new Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare in Melbourne.

Officially opening the new centre as part of National Children’s Week, Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said the Government had provided funding to buy new premises for the centre, established by the Children’s Welfare Association of Victoria (CWAV), in Market Street, Melbourne.

‘This centre will play a leading role in strengthening research into child and family welfare and improving the lives of Victoria’s disadvantaged children, young people and families,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘The centre will also provide ‘best-practice’ training to community service agencies to enhance support services for vulnerable families.

‘The Government supports any facility that shares our commitment to the wellbeing of Victoria’s children and young people.’

The total cost of the new centre is $1.3 million with CWAV providing the remaining funds through fundraising and philanthropic trusts.

The funds have been used to buy and refurbish new premises for the centre and office space for CWAV in Market Street.

Ms Garbutt welcomed the appointment of Dr Dorothy Scott, from Melbourne University’s School of Social Work, as the centre’s patron.

‘Dr Scott has an outstanding record in the child welfare field and will bring invaluable experience and leadership to the centre.

‘The centre aims to develop key partnerships with academic institutions to collaborate on important research in the field of child and family welfare.’

Ms Garbutt said the Government was committed to building a child and family support system that identifies and treats problems before they reach crisis point.

CWAV is the peak body of 84 community-based family, adolescent and children’s welfare service agencies.