Celebrates an achievement of a child or young person (or group of children/young people) up to 25 years who has had a care experience.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include a child or young person who:

• Inspires others through sharing their lived experience.
• Effects positive change through championing and advocating for other children and young people with a care experience.
• Displays an ability to push through adversity and grow through challenges while remaining ambitious.

Recognises an individual or organisation demonstrating excellence in making active efforts to implement the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual or organisation who:

• Empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and cultural safety to achieve the best outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and their families or carers.
• Embeds the development and implementation of policy, programs or practice which honour connection to family, community, culture and country.
• Advocates for the safety, welfare and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and their families.
• Provides culturally safe practice that embeds Aboriginal led decision making, supports connection to culture and promotes self-determination.
• Listens to Aboriginal voices and demonstrates respect for Aboriginal people’s knowledge of culture and community.
• Works alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to ensure Aboriginal children and young people and their families get the right support at the right time.
• Engages in active and dedicated efforts to meeting obligations under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Recognises the impact of an individual or team whose service has made a positive difference to the lives of children or young people in contact with the child protection system, in care, or with care experience.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual or team who:

• Demonstrates exceptional care and applies a child-centred approach to their work that is led and shaped by the experiences of children and young people.
• Meets the ever-changing needs of the children and young people they support and finds ways to support their development and wellbeing wherever possible.
• Embraces relationship based practice in the interests of children and young people.
• Demonstrates exceptional care and/or uses innovative practices to engage at risk young people with gaining access to the support they need (this may include life skills, independent living, employment pathways, education-based support, culturally appropriate care, mental health).

Recognises an individual’s or team’s outstanding contribution to health, disability or education outcomes for children and young people in care.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual or team who:

• Demonstrate a commitment to the very best outcomes for children and young people through their ability to navigate the interface between service systems, including child protection.
• Focuses on breaking down potential barriers by promoting equitable access to services.
• Has created pathways for children and young people in care to access supports or receive services in ways that acknowledge their unique needs and experiences.
• Provides mentoring or support to children in care to engage in learning.

Recognises the contribution of new, innovative research or resources that support the child protection and family support sector’s understanding and knowledge in improving outcomes for children.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual or team/organisation responsible for research or resources that:

• Applies a holistic approach that fosters active collaboration and communication across the sector.
• Transcends boundaries in the best interest of children, young people and families.
• Showcases new evidence and insights about where to target interventions.
• Promotes practices that address the unique needs of children and young people with a care experience.

Recognises an individual’s or team’s contribution to outstanding services to better care for and protect children and young people in a regional, rural or remote community.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual or team who:

• Has delivered regional system reform leading to sustained improvement in the lives of children, young people and their families or carers.
• Influences the practice of others, through leadership, advocacy and mentoring, to better respond to the unique needs and experiences of rural or remote communities.
• Provides expert, strategic advice to improve support and decision making for children and young people in care in a regional context.
• Develops and implements programs that improve outcomes for at risk young people in regional areas.
• Champions the rights of carers, children and young people through the development and delivery of training or new innovative models of care in regional areas.
• Works creatively with the resources and assets of a rural or remote context.

Recognises an assessed and approved foster, specific-child only or permanent carer, who has made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include a carer who:

• Has provided exceptional care, support and stability to a child or young person.
• Is overcoming challenges to advocate for children and young people’s needs and creating a positive effect on young lives.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of connection to culture and kin for children or young people in their care, and working with agencies and child protection to prioritise this connection.
• Is being proactive in nurturing and encouraging children in their care while ensuring they get the assistance they need to thrive.

Recognises an assessed and approved kinship carer, who has made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include a carer who:

• Has provided exceptional care, support and stability to a child or young person.
• Is overcoming challenges to advocate for children and young people’s needs and creating a positive effect on young lives.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the importance of connection to culture and kin for children or young people in their care and working with agencies and child protection to prioritise this connection.
• Is being proactive in nurturing and encouraging children in their care while ensuring they get the assistance they need to thrive.

Recognises the invaluable contributions to child protection made by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include a volunteer who:

• Establishes connection to promote safety and comfort.
• Has experienced general or specific interactions through volunteering that have had a positive impact.
• Has provided a significant length of service.

Recognises an individual or organisation supporting the voice of children and young people in care to be heard in the decisions that impact them.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual or organisation who:

• Uses innovative approaches to promote children and young people’s participation in any decisions or actions that impact them.
• Shows innovation or excellence in advocacy for the voices of children and young people in care and their right to meaningfully participate in matters affecting them.
• Amplifies the voices of children and young people in consultation, policy, programs or practice.

Award sponsor: Guardian for Children and Young People

Recognises the outstanding contribution of an individual, group or business in supporting children or young people in contact with the child protection system to feel like a valued part of their community.

We welcome nominations on a variety of achievements. Some examples include an individual, group or business who:

• Has supported access to, or offered, tailored programs to children or young people in care to grow as individuals, develop leadership potential, or experience employment.
• Provides practical support that recognises the valuable contribution of family based carers.
• Has supported young people in care in developing life skills.
• Provides children and young people in care with opportunities for enjoyment, participation and recreation.

Award sponsor: Commissioner for Children and Young People

Recognises an individual who, through exceptional dedication and commitment, has made a significant contribution to child protection for at least 15 years.

Some examples include an individual who:

• Has shown an exceptional commitment to positively impacting the lives of children, young people and their families.
• Demonstrates a deep commitment to child protection and is an ambassador for the work of the profession.
• Has shown steadfast dedication to shaping a child protection sector that will equip us for the future.
• Has achieved sustained positive change throughout their career.