Who We Are
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) provides representation, professional development, research, policy and program advice, publications and resources for 93 community service organisations in the child, youth and family services sector of Victoria. We provide information and liaise with media, State Government and the community to ensure children, young people and families have access to appropriate services as and when they are needed.
The Centre represents small, medium and large community service organisations spread across the State in metropolitan and country areas.
The services for children, young people and families that our members provide are varied. They include residential care, family support, counselling, parenting support, day programs, alternative education, financial counselling, foster care, respite care, support for families with children with a disability, unemployment services, drug and alcohol counselling, sexual abuse counselling, women's refuges, domestic violence services, supported accommodation, youth support services, school support and assistance for families in crisis. The Centre also has a small body of associate members and life members: supportive organisations and individuals not involved in direct service delivery.
The Centre is incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act and is governed by an annually elected Board of Directors of 12 members.
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare was established with support from the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund in 2003. Other significant donors were The Ian Potter Foundation, the William Buckland Foundation, and the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust. Their names, together with those of all donors to the CWAV 90th Birthday Capital Appeal, are recorded on the honour boards in our foyer. The evolution of the Centre marked a natural progression for CWAV from a peak body that was set up in 1912 to a Centre for Excellence with a wider reach of valued members, extended scope to form new partnerships and a renewed mission to serve vulnerable children, young people and families across Victoria.
The Centre has a small Secretariat which supports members through a range of services. We undertake ongoing work on topics such as full cost funding and policy and program directions. We are represented on all significant Department of Human Services advisory groups. Our Secretariat provides a program of training, a Quality Improvement Initiative, information, a state wide foster care recruitment hotline, advice, publications, a program of policy/practice forums, networks of support groups, public relations, liaison with other peak bodies and relevant interest groups and research and project work related to service delivery.
To view the most recent Monographs published by the Centre please visit the Publications area of our website.