The Allan Labor Government is inviting parents and carers to help shape services for children and their families into the future. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Member for Werribee Tim Pallas announced that a new survey is open today – encouraging parents and carers of children 12 and under to offer their insights as part of the ongoing improvement of the Government’s services. The survey includes questions about how Victorians find parenting information, what services they use, which services are most useful, what barriers exist to accessing services, and how services may be further improved. The survey complements a series of roundtables taking place across Victoria designed to make it easier to access services for children. The roundtables are taking place across Victoria – to talk about families experiences of moving between services as their children grow and their needs change. Roundtable discussions, as well as feedback from the survey, will inform policies, programs and initiatives that impact children up to 12 years of age. The series of 18 roundtables that began in May finishes in December. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, in partnership with the Department of Health and Department of Education, is delivering the series of roundtables. Topics of discussion have included maternal and child health, early childhood education and care, early parenting centres, kindergartens and family services. The Labor Government is helping families access the right supports at the right time so that children thrive, and parents are supported – regardless of where they live, household income and other factors including disadvantage – creating generational reform that will offer our youngest Victorians the absolute best start in life. The survey is open until Sunday 15 December at: engage.vic.gov.au/project/Children-in-Victoria-Survey.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn “Our survey is the perfect opportunity for mums, dads and carers to give us their unique experience with the services we provide across Victoria – and improve them for every child going forward.” “We know there will always be opportunities for improvement, which is why we want as many parents and carers as possible to take the survey so we can capture the advice directly from people who know the services best.”

Quote attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas “Parents and carers know best what works for their children. By taking part in this survey, you can help make sure that local services are designed with your family’s needs in mind. Let’s work together to create the best possible future for our children.”