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View OzChild's Strategic Plan Brochure

Goal one

Commit to UNCROC and contemporary models of healthy Child Development as guiding principles for our work, by

1. Describing and developing all services within the framework of the UNCROC and evidence based models of healthy child development;
2. Advocating for those children in Australia whose rights, as defined by the UNCROC, are not up held in practice;
3. Continually researching and developing contributions to the needs, protection and risk factors for children according to healthy child development knowledge;
4. Contributing to debate in various influential forums on children's rights and creating optimal healthy development of children.

Goal two

Become a recognised expert national voice and resource for aspects of healthy child development, by

1. Providing consultation, resources or services for children across wider geographic locations including other states or nationally;
2. Developing strategic partnerships with national and interstate bodies to increase public awareness of children's contemporary issues, rights and needs;
3. Seeking representation through international, national or interstate conferences and professional journals;
4. Developing public awareness through proactive and reactive media attention.

Goal three

Achieve credibility through the delivery of quality services which promote the healthy development of children, by

1. Providing a best practice evidence base for services delivered.
2. Developing new evidence based solutions that are responsive to changing needs and identified gaps, prioritizing the piloting of relevant new initiatives
3. Integrating knowledge and practice models across all service areas of Ozchild
4. Increasing the recognition of quality measures and best practice by key stakeholders and the public.

Goal four

Strengthen sustainability in a way that ensures a growing independent voice into the future, by

1. Reviewing management strategies to ensure both efficiency and effectiveness;
2. Diversifying revenue streams, increasing independent income and increasing quality pro bono support;
3. Obtaining stakeholder and public support and understanding for what we do and why we do it;
4. Prioritise all organisational decisions and reporting according to the strategic plan.

Goal five

Build a culture which aligns with these directions, by

1. Aligning all staff with the strategic goals;
2. Developing a strong coordinated leadership model throughout the organisation;
3. Supporting continuous improvement and quality measures;
4. Ensuring reward and recognition systems recognise strategic behaviour and encourage recruitment and retention of good staff.

Fundamental beliefs

1. Childhood forms a significant foundation for a person's life course.
2. Many child developmental needs have a critical period for growth which can never again be optimised.
3. Where critical periods have not been optimised, valuable remediation can still add value to child development.
4. Earliest intervention in risk factors is the least costly in both the human experience and financially.
5. Protective factors can both enhance development and prevent developmental damage.

The character of OzChild

In 2007 OzChild was described by its key stake holders (internal and external) as being: resourceful, innovative, passionate and adaptive.

As the organisation grows it will retain those qualities and add: analytical, articulate, courageous and contemporary.

OzChild is Australia's oldest independent, not-for-profit, children's charity, with a history of caring for children dating back to 1851. We continue to care for children, support families and strengthen the potential and life opportunities of children and young people.

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Simone

When my family decided to go into the foster care program, we were full of anticipation and curiosity. We knew that it would be rewarding, but under-estimated just how rewarding it could be. The experiences I have had over the years have been funny, educating, challenging and emotional. Read more...

national foster & kinship care conference
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