Honouring the dedication of Residential Care Workers across Victoria

This iconic annual event, hosted by the Centre and RCLDS, celebrates the dedication of our residential care workers from across the state who work tirelessly to care for Victoria’s most vulnerable children and young people.

ResiROCKS unites Victorian residential care workers to promote and cultivate a culture of learning and innovation, knowledge sharing, and practice excellence. It’s more than just a gathering; it’s a celebration of practice excellence, innovation, and the invaluable contributions of residential care professionals.

ResiROCKS 2024

This year’s theme, Nurturing the Spark for Education, emphasised education’s decisive role in transforming young people’s lives in residential care.

We were delighted to have The Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn, Minister for Children, address the event alongside David Atkinson, Executive Director, Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing (DFFH), Danny O’Kelly, Deputy Secretary of Community Operations and Practice Leadership, and Natalie Tillinger, the Statewide Principal Practitioner. The Keynote address was delivered by Isaiah Dawe, Founder, ID. Know Yourself, sharing his powerful story of resilience and leadership as an advocate for Indigenous children in care.

 

Residential Care Awards 2024

The RCLDS Residential Care Awards were presented at the annual ResiROCKS event in Melbourne yesterday by the Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn, Minister for Children, and the Centre’s CEO, Deb Tsorbaris.

This year’s Awards attracted a record number of nominations across 7 categories, with two judges awards presented the Distinguished Service and Crafting a Difference.

The Award winner’s remarkable achievements showcase an unwavering dedication and innovative approaches to creating an environment of healing and growth.

23
Attending agencies in 2024
Nearly 20%
Victoria's residential care workforce in attendance
RCLDS
RCLDS Strengthens the residential care workforce to ensure their wellbeing, service delivery, and safety as they continue to care for children and young people in residential care.
#

What makes a great carer?

With over a decade of nominations for the Residential Carer Awards, it’s clear the essence of making a house a home for children lies in the relationships they build with their carers.

Reviewing key themes that emerge from the nominations we receive highlight that outstanding care involves nurturing family connections, creating safe spaces, personalising living environments, empowering young voices, teaching essential life skills, and offering individualised support; these qualities makes residential care exceptional.

Carers who excel in maintaining family bonds, designing nurturing environments, and ensuring each child feels heard and supported contribute profoundly to a child’s sense of belonging and wellbeing.

Our work
As the peak body for child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania, we strengthen and guide the sector, building resilience, collaboration and shared success.
Find out more
Become a member
The Centre’s membership benefits build collaboration, advocacy, and capacity within the child and family services sector, ensuring a more resilient and supportive environment that provides better outcomes for children and families.
Find out more