Working together to support our children

News bulletin: 18 August 2009

The Department and local councils have signed an agreement that builds on mutual support and collaboration to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

The new partnership between the Department and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) was announced at the Early Years Forum, Thursday 6 August 2009, by Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Maxine Morand.

The agreement commits to building positive, collaborative relationships between the Department, MAV and all Victorian local councils.

Signed by the Secretary of the Department, Professor Peter Dawkins and the CEO of the MAV, Mr Rob Spence, the agreement recognises the role the Department, the MAV and local councils have in working to increase learning and development opportunities for children, young people and families.

The Department, the MAV and councils are increasingly working together on initiatives to integrate early childhood and education services.

The agreement will foster opportunities for further collaboration and work as a guide for early childhood and education planning, funding and program development.

At the launch, Professor Dawkins noted the importance of the agreement and the critical role of councils in realising the benefits of the Government’s early childhood and education reform agenda.

Mr Spence described the agreement as a framework to guide collaboration to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Victoria.

For more information on the partnership agreement, see: Partnership Agreement.pdf (PDF - 1.4Mb)

This agreement is a direct initiative of the Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development