The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Effective reform to achieve better outcomes for communities, families, children and young people.

The Association of Children's Welfare Agencies (ACWA) is the NSW peak body for non-government community service organisations that deliver services to vulnerable children, young people and their families. We have been operating for more than 50 years and have a membership base of more than 100 agencies. Our core activities revolve around advocacy, policy development, research, consultation, member

support, publications, sector conferences and seminars, projects, partnerships and sector development. ACWA also operates a learning and development division, the Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT), which is the largest non-government, not-for-profit training provider in NSW. Established in 1987, CCWT is a Registered Training Organisation committed to delivering professional learning that transforms people and communities for a better society.

Yesterday, ACWA welcomed leaders from across government, the community sector, workforce bodies, unions and regulators t...
17/06/2026

Yesterday, ACWA welcomed leaders from across government, the community sector, workforce bodies, unions and regulators to a Ministerial Roundtable focused on workforce wellbeing and sustainability in the child and family sector.

Facilitated by Liz Gould from Encountas, the roundtable explored the challenges facing our workforce and the practical actions needed to support and retain the people who work every day with children, young people and families.

ACWA CEO Simone Czech reminded participants that meaningful change will require a collective effort, "This is not a one and done. This is the start of a conversation. It is really about collaboration, and how do we take the good ideas that are in this room and work together to make sure that our staff are well looked after."

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington MP echoed the importance of working together across the system, "There is a real sense in the room of that system-wide approach, that we are all part of the same system working together, and a willingness to collaborate while holding on to that shared purpose."

Thank you to Minister Washington, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, SafeWork NSW, Human & Co, workforce representatives, sector leaders, and everyone who generously shared their insights and expertise.

Special thanks to Stephanie Smith, CEO of Human & Co, for sharing practical lessons from her organisation's workforce wellbeing journey, and to Liz Gould and Leonie Rothwell from Encountas for expertly guiding the discussion.

We also thank Wesley Mission for generously providing the venue.

The conversation doesn't end here. ACWA looks forward to continuing this work with partners across the sector to build a stronger, healthier and more sustainable workforce for the future.

ACWA CEO Simone Czech and Executive Officer Sharon Broady were delighted to attend the annual Pathfinders Ltd Pumpkin Ru...
05/06/2026

ACWA CEO Simone Czech and Executive Officer Sharon Broady were delighted to attend the annual Pathfinders Ltd Pumpkin Run Morning Tea at Government House this week.

The Pumpkin Run has become a much-loved tradition, bringing together organisations and leaders committed to supporting children, young people and families across NSW.

Pictured from left to right:

Laurie Matthews (CEO, Caretaker's Cottage), Narelle Clay (CEO, Southern Youth & Family Services and ACWA Board Member), Simone Czech (CEO, ACWA), Courtney Pay (National Director - Child, Youth & Family, Executive - Pathfinders and ACWA Board Member), Kristen Day (Operations Manager, Southern Youth & Family Services), Sharon Broady (Executive Officer, ACWA) and John MacMillan (CEO, Yfoundations).

It was a great opportunity to connect with sector colleagues, celebrate shared achievements and strengthen the relationships that underpin our collective impact.

We're excited to share that ACWA and Fams NSW are seeking Expressions of Interest from sector representatives interested...
04/06/2026

We're excited to share that ACWA and Fams NSW are seeking Expressions of Interest from sector representatives interested in joining either the Conference Governance Committee or Conference Program Committee for the ACWA & Fams International Conference 2027 at the ICC, Sydney.

This is an opportunity to help shape an exciting sector event, bringing together practitioners, leaders, policymakers, researchers and people with lived experience from across Australia and internationally.

We're looking for a diverse range of perspectives and expertise from across the child, family and community services sector, including practitioners, researchers, policy professionals, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, people with lived experience, service leaders and member organisations.

We strongly encourage applications from First Nations peoples and representatives from regional and rural communities.

Whether your strengths lie in strategic leadership and governance, or in shaping engaging and contemporary conference content, we encourage you to apply.

EOIs close Friday 26 June 2026

- Read the full Governance Committee EOI here:https://www.acwa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/ACWA-Fams-Governance-Committee-EOI.docx.pdf

- Read the full Program Committee EOI here:https://www.acwa.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/ACWA-Fams-Program-Committee-EOI.docx.pdf

For more information and to submit an Expression of Interest, please contact [email protected].

We're excited to create a conference together that reflects the diversity, expertise and innovation of our sector.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation requires more than words. It call...
26/05/2026

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, All In, reminds us that reconciliation requires more than words. It calls on all Australians to actively contribute to a more just, respectful and equitable future.

For the child and family sector, being “all in” means supporting Aboriginal-led solutions, strengthening cultural safety, advancing self-determination and ensuring Aboriginal children and young people remain connected to family, community, Country and Culture.

Reconciliation also means continuing to listen, learn and challenge systems and practices that contribute to inequality and disconnection for Aboriginal children and families.

At ACWA, we remain committed to walking alongside Aboriginal communities, members and partners as part of our ongoing reconciliation journey and our shared work to create safer, stronger and more connected futures for children, young people and families.

20/05/2026

ACWA is delighted to announce a new partnership with Fams NSW to deliver a joint International Conference in 2027.

From 30 June to 2 July 2027, the child, family and community services sector will come together at the International Convention Centre, Sydney to connect, collaborate and help shape the future of support for children, young people and families.

This exciting partnership brings together our two organisations with a shared commitment to stronger outcomes for children and families, and a belief that collaboration, innovation and sector leadership have never been more important.

The conference will create space for bold ideas, practical conversations, shared learning and meaningful connection across the full continuum of support, from early intervention and family preservation through to out-of-home care and child and family wellbeing.

We’re incredibly excited to work together on an event that celebrates the passion, expertise and impact across our sector, and we can’t wait to share more in the months ahead.

Save the date: 30 June to 2 July 2027.
Expressions of Interest coming soon.

As Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month continues, it’s important to remember that respectful relationships edu...
13/05/2026

As Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month continues, it’s important to remember that respectful relationships education is not just for schools.

Child and family services help build these foundations every day through parenting programs, youth work, home visits and community engagement.

By having conversations about consent, respect, equality and healthy communication in age appropriate and culturally safe ways, we can help prevent violence before it starts.

Creating safer families and communities is everyone’s responsibility.

National Families Week is a chance to recognise the vital role families play in the wellbeing, safety and development of...
11/05/2026

National Families Week is a chance to recognise the vital role families play in the wellbeing, safety and development of children and young people across our communities.

This year’s theme, “Celebrating Every Family, Everywhere,” reminds us that families come in many forms, and that every family deserves the right support to thrive.

At ACWA, we know strong outcomes for children are built on strong relationships, early support, culturally responsive services and communities that walk alongside families before challenges escalate.

Across NSW, child and family sector organisations work every day to strengthen families, keep children safe, support connection and create opportunities for children and young people to flourish.

We encourage members to share the work you are doing during National Families Week and help highlight the positive difference the sector makes in the lives of children, young people and families every day.

For more information visit: https://www.nationalfamiliesweek.org.au/

Today, ACWA acknowledges and celebrates all mothers and mother figures across our communities.We recognise mothers raisi...
10/05/2026

Today, ACWA acknowledges and celebrates all mothers and mother figures across our communities.

We recognise mothers raising children, mothers caring for children and young people in out-of-home care, kinship carers, foster carers, grandmothers, aunties and all those who provide love, safety and support every day.

We also hold space for mothers who are grieving, mothers separated from their children, those who longed to become mothers but were unable to, and all those for whom today may feel difficult or complex.

Across the child and family sector, we see every day the strength, care and resilience that mothers and carers bring to children, families and communities.

To all mothers and carers in our sector and beyond, thank you for the care, advocacy and connection you provide.

May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention MonthAt ACWA, we know prevention starts in everyday practice. Preve...
06/05/2026

May is Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention Month

At ACWA, we know prevention starts in everyday practice. Preventing domestic and family violence begins long before crisis.

In child and family services, every conversation, every program and every interaction is an opportunity to model respect, equality and safety.

When we challenge gender stereotypes, elevate women’s voices and support families to share decision-making, we are doing primary prevention.

We all have a role to play. Take action to support respectful relationships, speak up when something is not right, and back services that keep families safe.

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Sydney, NSW
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