Child Wellbeing Forum – 12 September 2019, Parliament House, Hobart

Kindly hosted by the Hon Sue Hickey, Speaker of the House of Assembly, this forum and panel discussion aimed to:

• assist to raise the profile of children and young people’s wellbeing in Tasmania including by explaining what wellbeing means to a broad audience;
• explore the evidence for investing in children and young people’s wellbeing, particularly in the early years, and the positive benefits which can flow;
• consider the challenges and benefits of placing children’s wellbeing at the centre of government policy making, noting the approach that has been adopted in New Zealand; and
• encourage attendees to engage in a conversation about how Tasmania could do things differently to make a tangible difference to the wellbeing of our children and young people.

Facilitator:

Anne Hollonds, Director – Australian Institute of Family Studies

As Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au), Anne is responsible for conducting research and providing advice to Australian governments. The Institute conducts quantitative and qualitative research, and translates findings, to improve the effectiveness of policy, systems and services for children and families. The Institute is known for its longitudinal studies, data linkage, primary research, policy and program evaluation, and knowledge translation for policy-makers and service providers.

A leading voice on child and family wellbeing, Anne is a psychologist and former CEO of large NGOs, with over 30 years’ experience in policy and practice in social services, health and education for children and families.

Special guest speakers:

Maree Brown, Director  – Child Wellbeing Unit, New Zealand Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Maree is Director of the Child Wellbeing Unit in the New Zealand Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.  Her team is leading cross-sector work on New Zealand’s first Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy which was launched in late August.  Prior to her current role Maree held senior positions in Oranga Tamariki—Ministry for Children, ­the Ministry of Social Development and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.  She has spent most of her career in child and family policy roles.     

Dr Tim Moore, Senior Research Fellow – Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Dr Tim Moore is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Community Child Health (CCCH) at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. A developmental psychologist by training, he heads a small team with responsibility for monitoring, reviewing and synthesising research literature on a wide range of topics relating to child development, family functioning and service systems. He has been the principal writer on numerous Centre for Community Child Health reviews, reports and policy briefs, many of which have had a significant impact on policy and practice, nationally and internationally.

Download presenters’ slides:

Ms Maree Brown: here

Dr Tim Moore: here

Watch presentations:

         

For more information, call the Commissioner for Children and Young People on (03) 6166 1366 or email childcomm@childcomm.tas.gov.au