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Allies for Children
We are part of a committed partnership who believes through collective wisdom and true collaboration we can drive lasting change for current and future generations.
We are Allies for Children
Barnardos Australia is proud to be a founding member organisation of Allies for Children. We have partnered with other child focused organisations across Australia to inspire positive change in the sector and on the big issues affecting the children and families we work with.
What is Allies for Children?
Allies for Children is a collaborative alliance of non-government organisations working together to improve outcomes for children and families in Australia. The alliance was established in 2022 and brings together chief executives from child, youth and family organisations who share the vision that all children in Australia can thrive.
The organisations are a committed partnership who believe through collective wisdom and genuine collaboration, our organisations can drive real change to benefit generations now and into the future.
Who is involved?
The founding partners of Allies for Children are:
Act for Kids
Barnardos Australia
The Benevolent Society
Life Without Barriers
Key Assets
Oz Child
MacKillop Family Services
Allies for Children are focused on
four main priorities
The Allies for Children has identified four strategic priorities to influence on together:
The over representation of First Nations Children and young people in the child protection and youth justice systems.
Allies for Children founding organisations have openly committed to the effective transition and reunification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in their care to community control (ACCOs). This issue remains the top priority for Allies for Children as is where most of our efforts and resources are focused for 2025- 2026.Raising the Age of criminal responsibility.
In Australia, children as young as 10 years old can be charged, convicted and incarcerated. This is one of the lowest ages of criminal responsibility in the world. Allies for Children advocate alongside other NGOs, the legal community, academics, First Nations communities and leaders in health and medical experts to raise the age of criminal responsibility to a minimum of 14 years.Child protection reform through early intervention investment.
Allies for Children uses shared data, evaluation, and research to advocate for greater investment in early intervention by governments. We know that when we invest in early intervention, we prevent harm, reduce the need for crisis care and improve long-term outcomes for children.Workforce challenges impacting the child, youth and family sector.
Australia is facing a nationwide shortage of social workers. Allies for Children are advocating for a new approach to recruitment, qualification and retention of the workforce. By sharing learnings across agencies and sectors, we can help build a stronger, more connected child and family support system across the country.
Together, we’re stronger
The CEOs of Allies understand that uniting on the big issues affecting the children and families we work with, will have a bigger impact when calling for change and that together, we have more chance of influencing systemic reform, policy and legislation.
Read more about Allies for Children
For more information, please contact Alex Muirhead amuirhead@barnardos.org.au
