In support of Child Protection Week, Alderley Kindy will be shining a light on child protection and spreading the message that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility and that every conversation matters. The children have created a light show for our community to enjoy, which will be open for the public to view each evening during the week.

To stop child abuse and neglect and ensure child protection in our society, we all need to play our part by assisting families who struggle and by speaking out about abuse when we see it or hear about it within our community. In 2024, National Child Protection Week will continue to embrace the overarching message that child protection is everyone’s business. This year, shining a light on ‘Where we start matters.’ This reflects the impact that our starting point in life has on our long-term outcomes. It also serves as a reminder of the influence that starting points for child protection practitioners and decision-makers have on children, families, and communities.

Children can thrive and be healthy when they have what they need to develop well. But not every family has these resources. Therefore, we need to support every child, family, and community according to their needs. This will create a healthier, fairer Australia for all children. A lot of great research is helping us understand more and more about what children need to thrive. Child Protection Week will be an opportunity to translate this knowledge into action. All skillsets, all people, and all communities are assets in this important endeavour. Let’s make sure our neighbourhoods have strong foundations for families and children – jobs, safe places, libraries, parks, playgrounds, schools, childcare, affordable housing, health services, social activities, clubs, friendly neighbours, businesses and more. Many of you are already playing your part every day – as individuals, as community members, as volunteers and as workers – to help create these great communities for children. When we do this together, we can give ‘every child, in every neighbourhood, a fair go’.