Thriving Kids: A welcome first step towards implementation

Community Health First welcomes the Victorian Government's announcement on the next steps for Thriving Kids and particularly welcomes the recognition that community partners will have a role in delivering services that meet the needs of families and communities.

The announcement is an important step, but its success will depend on how quickly families can move from identification to accessing appropriate support and services. That is where community partners can make the greatest difference.

Community organisations are often the first place families turn to when they have questions and are looking for support. Community health organisations work with families every day who are seeking local, trusted care and support close to home that wraps around the child and engages the whole family.

For Thriving Kids to succeed, community-based partners should be involved from the outset in the design, governance and delivery of local pathways. This will help families receive timely advice, culturally safe support, coordinated referrals and practical assistance through the trusted services they already use, rather than adding complexity or duplicating existing pathways.

Victoria is unique in having an established community health sector that is ready to support the roll out Thriving Kids. Community health already has the expertise, relationships, referral pathways and clinical governance needed to support children and families close to home.

Around one in five Victorian children experience developmental vulnerability, and families are looking for support in places that are local, familiar and comfortable for children.

Community health services are ready to help and deliver that support.

Community Health First looks forward to working with government, families and community partners to shape an equitable and effective model that builds on existing community strengths and gives children and families timely access to the right support.