Who are South Coast Child Wellbeing Network?
The South Coast Child Wellbeing Network is an interagency comprising of organisations from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven who collaborate to improve the lives of children and their families.
The goal of the Network is to increase awareness of issues relating to child wellbeing and child safety across the local service network and within the communities in which children and young people live.
The organisations involved with the SCCWN include;
School-Link ISLHD
School Link facilitates collaboration between education, health and other services to support children and young people and help them remain engaged in education.
School Link collaborate with mental health professionals and educational staff to ensure that children and young people with mental health concerns have the appropriate support and services available to them.
ECTARC - Early Childhood Educational Services and Training
ECTARC is the business name of Illawarra Area Child Care LTD, a not for profit company limited by guarantee. The company was established in May 1984 and incorporated in 1985. In 2020 the organisation was rebranded to bring the early childhood education and training services operations under one business name to be known as ECTARC.
ECTARC has successfully managed community-owned early childhood education and care services in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven for over 34 years, which now includes 6 long daycare services, 3 occasional care services, and 2 multipurpose services.
In 1998, ECTARC established a Registered Training Organisation, specialising in the delivery of early childhood training and professional development for their employees and the early childhood sector. Their training services division is now an award-winning Registered Training Organisation that supports and trains students nationally in a range of qualifications and professional development.
Barnardos has provided services for vulnerable children, young people and their families in Australia since 1921. They work with highly vulnerable children and young people to provide a safe home and permanent relationships for all their childhood. They care for children exposed to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, exploitation, and homelessness.
Barnados South Coast has partnered with the Communities for Children program to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for children and families in disadvantaged communities.
Goodstart was founded on a vision of giving children the best possible start in life through access to quality early learning.
They are entirely Australian owned and not-for-profit, with every dollar spent directed towards helping children reach their full potential. Everything they do is about contributing to a better outlook for Australia’s children and a happier, more prosperous society.
Right from birth, children are ready to learn and at Goodstart they employ the most up-to-date thinking in early childhood education to create stimulating, age-appropriate learning environments that give children a secure base and the confidence to explore.
Anglicare Family Mental Health Support Program
Anglicare is committed to creating an environment where the safety, wellbeing, and participation of all children and young people is paramount. Consideration is especially given to vulnerable children; children with a disability; children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds; and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Anglicare has zero-tolerance for child abuse. They treat all allegations and safety concerns seriously. We have a moral and legal obligation to contact authorities when concerned about a child’s safety.
Wollongong City Council offers a range of services, spaces, events and programs to support children, young people and families in Wollongong. We have a strong commitment to Child Protection, and are focussed on improving the lives, opportunities and wellbeing of children and young people. We’re a source of information and support, and provide referrals to specialist services and opportunities. We facilitate the Wollongong Youth Network, are an active partner in the South Coast child wellbeing network, and are a committed advocate for children and young people to ensure their voices are heard, captured and included in decision making.
Council’s Children & Family Services and Youth Service programs provide a range of child-safe services, events and facilities, including the Paint the Gong REaD program, Wollongong Youth Centre, Lord Mayor School Starter Picnic, Neighbourhood Youth Work Projects, Child Protection and Youth week events.
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Early Start Discovery Space (University of Wollongong)
Early Start Discovery Space is the first dedicated children’s museum in the world based on a university campus. It provides interactive experiences, stimulating educational programs and learn-through-play activities for children aged birth to 10 years and their families.
All experiences are designed to allow children to take control and share their imagination and creativity with others. The environment stimulates curiosity, supports independence, encourages social interaction and promotes an inclusive community.
South Coast Medical Services Aboriginal Corporation
South Coast Medical Services Aboriginal Corporation is a non-government organisation that provides health related services relevant to the wellbeing and to the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the Shoalhaven.
They are committed to improving the equity of access to mainstream services for the Aboriginal communities.
WCF is committed to child safe practices and permanency outcomes for children and young people in care, to provide a positive, safe, and healing experience that addresses trauma, attachment, self-regulation, culture and community needs.
WCF believes that every child has a fundamental birthright to be wanted, loved, and nurtured and to be provided with a loving, stable family home environment. They provide services and programs including Permanency Support and Foster Care, Family Support Services, and Clinical Services to support children, young people, individuals, and families.
Family Services Australia support children, young people and their families by helping to keep them safe, well, strong and connected. They know that real change comes through relationships based on trust and respect and value their relationships with the community and other agencies.
CareSouth is a community-based organisation committed to creating a positive future for children, young people, individuals, families and communities. Programs include Brighter Futures, Champions, Permanency Support and Foster Care, Specialist Youth Support Services, Residential Care, NDIS Disability Services and Family Connections. CareSouth has offices across the Illawarra, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Western NSW.
The NSW Health Child Wellbeing Unit is a telephone support service staffed by child protection professionals proficient in the assessment and management of risk to children and young people.
The Department of Education is the largest provider of public education in Australia with responsibility for delivering high-quality public education to two-thirds of the NSW student population.
University of Wollongong - Social Work Department
University of Wollongong - Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, School of Health and Society, Social Work assist people to develop their capacity and strengths to solve problems and issues in their daily lives.
They explore and address social issues confronting communities to change and improve the lives of citizens by using research and evaluation skills, social policy analysis, social planning, and community development strategies.
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