The Valuing Children Initiative - VCI

When we centre policies that value children, we all benefit.

Australia is facing a child poverty emergency. Children in South Hedland are experiencing hunger, housing instability and lacking material basics. We’re calling on the government to act and measure, define and act so all children are free from poverty.
Centrecare Inc
The Valuing Children Initiative - VCI
Jason Clare
Senator Jess Walsh

There is growing evidence that housing is a critical determinant of children's physical and mental health, behavioural outcomes, developmental vulnerability and educational attainment. Read the new research from AHURI here; https://www.ahuri.edu.au/.../growing-changed-housing...
The Smith Family Anglicare SAEarly Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council Murdoch University

The Valuing Children Initiative was proud to join the Play Matters Collective Round Table this month, bringing together sector leaders, researchers, practitioners and advocates to help shape Western Australia's first Play Strategy.

The conversation reinforced what children have been telling us through our work across communities, schools, local governments and public spaces: children need more opportunities to play close to home, in places that are safe, welcoming and designed with them, not just for them.

At VCI, our child participation projects have shown that when children are genuinely heard, they provide valuable insights about play, safety, belonging and community design.

From street play initiatives and public space design to place-based community projects, children consistently remind us that play is essential for connection, wellbeing and healthy development.

Thank you to the Play Matters Collective for creating space for this important discussion. We look forward to continuing to advocate for communities where every child has the opportunity to play, participate and thrive.

Go here to find out more about the Valuing Children Initiative https://valuingchildreninitiative.com.au/

Are you passionate about children’s rights and making sure young people’s voices are heard?

The Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) is inviting young people to join a series of online drop-in sessions to learn how they can contribute to civil society reporting to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

This is a valuable opportunity for young people to learn more about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and play a role in shaping the stories and experiences shared with the international community.

📢 We encourage our networks to share this opportunity with young people who may be interested in getting involved.

Find out more in the attached invitation.

Children in poverty suffer in education

The End Child Poverty campaign is backing calls for policy makers to focus on fixing the inequity students from poor backgrounds experience in education.

It follows the release of March 2026 NAPLAN results showing a third of students fail to meet literacy and numeracy expectation.
Those from Indigenous backgrounds, lower socioeconomic backgrounds and regional areas most impacted.

End Child Poverty campaign chair Tony Pietropoccolo says education is just one area where children living in poverty are disadvantaged.

We call on politicians to act immediately because one child in six living in poverty in such a wealthy country is unacceptable.

He said this latest NAPLAN result reflects that.

Support the End Child Poverty Campaign here www.endchildpoverty.com.au

Thanks to our supporters;
WACOSS
Families Australia
Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia
End Child Poverty
Commissioner for Children and Young People WA

Experts warn 'national tragedy' emerging in latest NAPLAN results NAPLAN test scores have revealed one-third of Australian students are not meeting "challenging but reasonable" expectations in literacy and numeracy.

The The Valuing Children Initiative - VCI visited Port Hedland from 15 to 19 July, working alongside the local Youth Involvement Council to hear directly from children and young people about the challenges they face growing up in the region.

Through workshops and discussions, young people shared their experiences of poverty, housing stress, food insecurity and the high cost of living in remote communities. Participants also identified changes they would like decision-makers to make to improve the lives of children and families in their community.

The visit forms part of VCI's national campaign to ensure children's voices are heard in policy discussions about child poverty. Findings from Port Hedland, along with insights gathered from communities across Australia, will be presented to politicians at the Australian Parliament in September 2026.

The campaign was created to give children living in poverty a meaningful platform to share their experiences and influence decision-making. The Port Hedland consultations highlighted the importance of listening directly to children and young people to better understand the impact of poverty on their wellbeing, education and everyday lives.

The visit reinforced the need for continued action to address the unique challenges facing children and families in regional and remote Western Australia, particularly around housing affordability, food security and access to services.

You can read the article published in the North West Telegraph about our visit below.