Two wins for Kids First at the 2026 Victorian Protecting Children Awards

Six months ago, an 11-year-old wasn't going to school at all. Severe bullying had pushed him out of the classroom entirely, leaving no attendance, no connection, no clear way back in.

Today, he's at school five days a week.

 

That turnaround is the work of Kids First Australia's Early Help Program, which received the Engaging Kids in School Award at the 2026 Victorian Protecting Children Awards. It's one of two Kids First wins this year, alongside Youth Council Chair Anna Zhang, who received the Child and Youth Empowerment Award. A third initiative, the Supporting Your Child Through Trauma video series, was recognised as a finalist for the Minister's Award for Excellence in Protecting Children.

The Victorian Protecting Children Awards are administered by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and span 13 categories recognising work across the state's child and family services sector. Finalists this year included some of the most established providers, among them Berry Street, Anglicare Victoria, VACCA, MacKillop Family Services and OzChild, placing Kids First alongside some of Victoria's most established organisations in this year's awards.

"To have three Kids First nominations recognised as finalists across three different categories, and to see Anna and our Early Help team receive their awards, is an incredible acknowledgement of our people and the work happening across Kids First. What connects each of these achievements is a commitment to listening, acting early and finding better ways to improve outcomes for children, young people and families," said Nicole Artico, CEO, Kids First Australia.

 

Anna Zhang receives Child and Youth Empowerment Award

Anna Zhang received the Child and Youth Empowerment Award for her contribution to creating meaningful opportunities for children and young people to influence the decisions, services and systems that affect them.

As Chair of the Kids First Youth Council, Anna has helped ensure young people are not simply consulted but have genuine opportunities to contribute to organisational decision-making and the development of services, policies and resources. Her contribution extends beyond Kids First, with a longstanding commitment to youth participation, advocacy and ensuring young people have a meaningful voice in the systems designed to support them.

"Receiving this award is very special, and I hope it continues to shine a light on what is possible when young people are genuinely given opportunities to contribute, influence and lead," said Anna Zhang, Kids First Youth Council.

Learn about Kids First Child & Family Services

 

Early Help wins Engaging Kids in School Award

Early Help practitioners work alongside families to understand what's happening around a child, build parenting capability and routines, coordinate with schools and other services, and respond to the circumstances contributing to disengagement. The approach puts families in the driver's seat while bringing together the people and supports around them.

In the case that anchored this year's nomination, an Early Help practitioner worked alongside an 11-year-old's family and school to coordinate supports, advocate for the child and rebuild the relationship between family and school, moving the child from zero days of school attendance a week to five.

"We see what can happen when families are supported early, listened to and given the right support to address what is happening around their child. To have that work recognised at this level gives us an opportunity to elevate Early Help across the sector and share what we are learning about helping children stay connected to education," said Shardae Grenfell, Early Help Team Leader.

For schools and services looking at engagement and attendance, the model's core elements are worth a closer look: coordinated, family-led, cross-agency support delivered early, rather than after disengagement is entrenched.

Learn about our Early Help program - The Hub - Whittlesea 3757 and Wallan 3756

 

Supporting families through trauma

Kids First's specialist Sexual Abuse Counselling and Prevention Program (SACPP) team was recognised as a finalist for the Minister's Award for the Supporting Your Child Through Trauma video series, developed in response to a common challenge for parents and carers after child sexual abuse: knowing how to support a child when they themselves feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next.

Drawing on more than 30 years of specialist practice, research and consultation with families, the SACPP team translated therapeutic knowledge into 36 accessible videos across three modules, covering child sexual abuse, trauma and brain regulation, and online risks and safety. At the time of the award nomination, the series had reached more than 90,000 views.

"Our team wanted to take the specialist knowledge we use in our clinical work and make it accessible to families when they need it. To be recognised as a finalist for the Minister's Award is meaningful recognition of that work and of our team's commitment to supporting children and families beyond the therapy room," said Shureeka Alves, Manager, Therapeutic Services.

Watch the Supporting Your Child Through Trauma series

 

Congratulations to Anna Zhang, the Early Help team and the SACPP team, and to all finalists and award recipients across this year's Victorian Protecting Children Awards.

Three finalist nominations. Two award wins. And recognition across youth empowerment, early intervention and specialist therapeutic practice. Together, they reflect the breadth of expertise across Kids First and our commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

If your organisation is exploring early intervention approaches to school disengagement or is interested in using the Supporting Your Child Through Trauma series in your work with families, contact Kids First Australia.