What we heard – the Connecting Tasmanian Communities Tour

The Centre has concluded our Connecting Tasmanian Communities Tour, covering 1,620 km across the state, where we met with 208 people working with children and families from 81 organisations.

The Connecting Tasmanian Communities Tour provided an opportunity to meet with members and people who work with children, young people, and families across the state and to explore the unique opportunities and challenges in Tasmanian regions.

Through these conversations, we identified key strengths within Tasmania’s child and family services sector:

A Passionate and Resilient Workforce: The workforce supporting children and families in Tasmania is not only skilled but also deeply committed to making a difference for children, young people, carers, and families in their communities. Your resilience and dedication were evident at every stop on our tour.

Strong Community Bonds: We saw a powerful sense of connection and shared responsibility among community members, who described Tasmania as a place of “caring communities.”

Collaborative Spirit: The sector’s collaborative energy stood out, with many partnerships—both formal and informal—breaking down silos to provide more integrated support for children and families.

Looking ahead, we’re committed to working together to working towards the vision articulated by those who joined us on the tour:

Focus on Early Intervention: Participants emphasised the importance of investing in early intervention, especially during a child’s first 1,000 days.

Supporting Families Facing Rising Costs of Living: Families struggling with rising living costs need financial support and better access to essential services, allowing them to focus on their well-being and that of their children.

Workforce Support and Retention: Our workforce supporting children and families are remarkable. We must support them and seek ways to grow this workforce, which includes our carers.

Improving Access to Basic Services: Reducing waitlists and improving the availability of essential services like healthcare, childcare, and housing is a top priority.

We know we couldn’t reach every community on this tour, and we’re committed to staying engaged across Tasmania to effectively meet the needs of children, families, and the sector. We’ll be on the road again! The insights we gathered will help shape our 2025-2026 budget submission and guide our ongoing efforts as your peak body. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and generously shared their insights with us.