Take the child friendly challenge

Because protecting children is everyone’s business

Together we can help families struggling to do their best for their kids, with a bit of support in their own neighbourhood.

You can start to make a difference for a child you know, or one you don’t because all our kids deserve our support.

1. Help kids make the most out of life with regular time for play, sport and fun.

Children benefit from a variety of activities. Participating in music, arts or playing sport exercises a child’s mind and body, teaches life skills and helps children learn to get along. Games and other fun activities can promote the development of cognitive skills and are also a great way to interact with other children.

2. Offer struggling parents time out from parenting to give them, and their kids, a break.

The job of raising a family is no easy task. Parents need to look after themselves so they can do a good job of looking after their kids. Offering to look after a friend or neighbours’ child for a short period of time is a great way to give their parents a break. It also provides the child with an opportunity to build relationships with other supportive adults. Keeping an eye on someone’s child for as little as an hour can provide parents with some much needed time out, and an opportunity to do some of the little things that they never seem to have time to do.

3. Give kids a chance to have their say and be heard.

It is important that children feel they are part of the community and that their voices are heard. Children should be encouraged to express their thoughts and ideas. This helps them feel included and can build their confidence too.

4. Volunteer for a child-mentoring program.

Programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and Whitelion need volunteers to act as mentors and provide vulnerable young people with support, friendship and a positive role model.

Research tells us that mentoring programs can have positive effects on young people, such as helping them to achieve their potential, building their self-esteem and confidence and providing them with skills to form positive relationships with others. They are also very rewarding for the mentor, who can see how their involvement in the program benefits the young person.

You can make a difference and get involved by contacting Big Brothers Big Sisters on 1300 463 6867 or Whitelion on 9389 4420.

5. Find out how you can share your home with a child who needs one by calling the Foster Care Hotline on 1800 013 088.

Every child deserves to grow up in a home where they are loved, encouraged and supported. However, sometimes children are at risk of significant harm from abuse and neglect within their family home. Placements provide a safe living arrangement for these children, be they temporary or long term, and helping children in this way can be very rewarding for the carers.

6. Talk to your local family service or the child’s teacher or call Parentline on 132289 if you have significant concerns for the child’s well-being.

You can find your local family service at

(www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/how-to-make-a-referral-or-report).

7. Make all families welcome in your community, meet the neighbour’s kids and remember their names

Celebrate the cultural diversity that exists among families in your community and take an interest in your neighbours children. Simply saying hello to, or staying in touch with a child and remembering their name can increase their self-confidence as well as their feeling of security within the community.

8. If you are concerned a child is at risk of serious harm you can make a report to child protection.

There may be many factors, or combinations of factors, within family life that adversely impact upon children’s safety, stability and development. If you believe that a child is at risk of abuse or harm, you can make a report to Child Protection. For more information go to (www.office-for-children.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/how-to-make-a-referral-or-report).