BCHS Annual Report 2025 - Report - Page 28
Family Services
One big family for all
Family Services has continued the work of fostering safe
spaces for children and families across BCHS, partnering with
parents and carers to improve the lives of children and their
families across our region.
Family Services programs connected with 300 families
delivering a total of 17,000 hours of service in 2024-25.
They coordinated the BCHS activities for the 16 Days of
Activism, hosted the smalltalk Big Christmas Party and popup playgroups, and was part of the festivities at the NAIDOC
Week Family Fun Day.
NDIS and disability
The Family Services Specialist Disability Program has
achieved signi昀椀cant wins in 2024-25 supporting families to
navigate the complex and often-challenging world of NDIS.
Families were able to access OTs, paediatricians, mental
health specialists, allied health and specialist nursing services.
Strong advocacy has also ensured families have secured the
right in-home, clinical and at-school supports, signi昀椀cantly
improving educational outcomes and quality of life for the
many children and families accessing our service.
Supporting families impacted by family
violence
Family violence has a signi昀椀cant and often far-reaching
impact in regional and rural communities across Victoria.
Data from Crime Statistics Agency Vic (CSAV) found that
incidents per 100,000 people in regional Victoria were 2,157
compared to metropolitan rates of 1,172 in 2023-24.
Family Services worked with many children and their
families a昀昀ected by family violence over 2024-25, strongly
advocating for support, resources, and for their voice to be
heard. Following the initial implementation of the MARAM
framework, Family Services has continued to build on their
knowledge through training in the areas of family and trauma
and by leading the way in establishing a Community of
Practice encompassing child safe standards, and close sector
collaboration with community, police and justice services.
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