Family, Youth and Children’s Services program recognised at statewide awards

The City of Ballarat’s Early Years Partnerships team, in collaboration with the Grampians Public Health Unit and Uniting Ballarat, has won a prestigious State Government award. 

The local working group won the ‘Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships’ award, which forms part of the Victorian Early Years Awards, for a program designed to increase collaboration between practitioners working with children and families in Ballarat.  

‘Ballarat’s Children: Collaborating for Systems Improvement Sessions’ is a series of monthly, two-hour professional development and networking sessions, co-designed by the City of Ballarat's Best Start Facilitator, which is funded by the State Government, Ballarat 4 Kids and the Children’s Resource Program at Uniting Ballarat.   

The program was formed following a sector workshop in 2023 where participants identified the need for more networking opportunities to develop stronger relationships and understanding of the service system, including referral pathways.  

Each session has attracted about 50 participants from the medical, education and care, and community sectors, and have resulted in staff and practitioners working more closely with a strong commitment to adding value through the sharing of knowledge and resources.  

City of Ballarat Director Community Wellbeing, Matthew Wilson said the ‘Ballarat’s Children: Collaborating for Systems Improvement Sessions’ program was a great example of cross-sector collaboration.  

“It’s great to see medical, education and care, and community services practitioners from across Ballarat coming together to improve outcomes for Ballarat’s children and families,” he said.  

“The commitment of staff from different sectors to sharing knowledge and resources is commendable and worthy of recognition.”  

Uniting Ballarat Senior Manager – Community Engagement & Support Warrick Davison said the award was a wonderful achievement for all involved.  

“What a wonderful achievement for all involved. The cross sector collaboration has not only strengthened networks in the region, but assisted professionals to develop their knowledge and resources ultimately benefiting children in our region,” he said.  

For more information about the Victorian Early Years Awards, visit the Victorian Government website.