When a kinship carer was unable to walk or drive after sustaining an injury, staff at the Clare Valley Children’s Centre stepped in to support the children in their care.
They created a roster with staff taking turns to help with pick-up and drop-off duties over a three-week period. The centre’s chef also prepared meals for family dinners.
This is just one of the many ways the centre supports vulnerable children and families, helping secure its place as a finalist in the Regional Impact category of the 2026 SA Child Protection and Family Support Awards.
This category recognises outstanding service by an individual or team supporting children and young people in rural or remote communities.
Centre Director Jane Leslie said developing strong relationships with children, families and the broader community and taking a therapeutic approach sits at the heart of the centre’s work.
“We also focus on helping to provide consistency and continuity where we can, and in this case, we worked together to help children stay with their grandparent,” she said.
“On the one hand, I think we’re just doing our job but on the other, I think our team should be proud of the difference we are making.
“Though there are challenging times, I think I’m always a better person, and always a better educator, for having known the children at our centre.”
There are about 55 staff based at the centre, including Community Development Coordinator Jo Kelley who is funded by the Department for Human Services (DHS) and Ms Leslie says is instrumental in supporting families in the area.
Staff work closely with DHS, local community organisations such as Uniting Country SA and the Department for Child Protection’s Therapeutic Carer Support Team to provide additional support to kinship carers, foster carers and children with a care experience.
The centre's impact extends beyond its Blyth Road base and into the broader community. It has been instrumental in establishing the Clare Valley Community Centre on the town's main street, creating a convenient hub for visiting services such as free legal assistance and mental health social groups as well as providing a permanent, convenient location for Foodbank and the centre's toy library and playgroup.
Winners of the 2026 SA Child Protection and Family Support Awards will be announced at a special awards ceremony on Friday 9 October at Adelaide Oval.
To find out more about the awards, visit www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/awards.
Below (back row, left - right): Kerry-Ann Ahern, Rosalie Lodge, Paula Gill and Will Greenham. Front: Leah Rosser, Jane Leslie and Sarah Simmons.
