Network News - August

For more information about our next webinar Disability Awareness - Perceptions and Rebuilding Inclusion, and the link to join, please visit the HIPPY Training in June section of this newsletter.

We recently emailed an invitation to you, to participate in an Inclusion Survey asking you to share with us how you support your families and the inclusive practices you have implemented. We would love to capture, and learn from, these efforts.

Take the survey here (open until COB Friday, 20 June 2025).

For more information about incorporating inclusive practices to support families and children with disabilities and/or learning delays, please visit the National Office Updates section of this newsletter (“Site Survey - Incorporating inclusive practices”).

Questions?

Please email your questions to Paula Rowe prowe@bsl.org.au

The number of severe weather events and disasters (such as floods, bushfires and cyclones) has increased significantly in recent years, affecting families and communities as well as increasing pressure on practitioners, frontline workers and volunteers.

For more information about joining the AIFS (Australian Institute of Family Studies) Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster webinar, and the link to register your participation, please visit the HIPPY Training in June section of this newsletter.

Coordinator and Line Manager reports for the January-June 2025 period due by 14 July.

Recent research highlights the persistent challenge of childcare deserts across Australia.

Many children, especially those in disadvantaged or remote communities, lack access to early childhood education and care (ECEC). According to the latest reports, over 25,000 vulnerable children live in areas with little or no ECEC options, compounding developmental risks for these families.

These findings underscore the need for solutions that go beyond traditional childcare centres. The research advocates for integrated early learning models, such as Early Childhood Hubs and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO)-led initiatives, to bridge the gap for children and families most in need.

HIPPY plays a vital role in this landscape.

By empowering parents to be their child’s first educator, HIPPY ensures that children in childcare deserts, and elsewhere, receive essential early learning support at home. This home-based approach directly addresses the inequities highlighted in the research, fostering school readiness and positive educational outcomes for vulnerable children.

In summary, HIPPY’s mission is closely aligned with the call for innovative, inclusive early learning solutions. Our program is a practical and effective response to the challenges identified in the latest research on childcare access and early childhood disadvantage.

Thank you to those coordinators who alerted us to broken links in the enrichment topics. We have fixed these links.

You can now access the enrichment topic details strength-based practice on LMS , & the linked resource .

Location on LMS:
Module: Engaging Families with Complex Needs
→ Building social capital
→ Complex needs case study resource (training material)
→ Strengths-based guide (further learning opportunities, Page 5)

We invite you to send us feedback if you come across broken links to material or resources via HIPPY Australia

We want to acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by HIPPY families and communities in NSW who have been affected by recent flood conditions. Our thoughts remain with you during this time.

If you, or your site needs any assistance, please remember that the HIPPY team is here to support you.

We encourage you to contact us if there’s anything we can do to help. We have compiled a list of some government initiatives and additional resources currently available to support families and communities in recovery.

Click the link for access.

On 16 May, HIPPY Australia emailed all Coordinators and Line Managers to officially announce our ongoing work supporting the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

If you haven’t yet seen the announcement, you can read it here .

The announcement outlines HIPPY Australia’s role in a national, sector-wide initiative to strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at First Nations-focused HIPPY sites.

If you have any questions about this initiative, please contact us .

At HIPPY Australia, we value the flexible and inclusive ways you support families and children with disabilities and learning delays.

We’re currently consulting across sites to document inclusive practices and adaptations to the HIPPY model. If you’ve received our survey invitation, we’d love to hear how you’re making HIPPY more accessible and inclusive.

This survey (to be filled by Coordinators) will help guide future service development and improve tutor training and support. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Survey findings will inform a short report to share innovative practices across the Network and may also be used in HIPPY publications and presentations.

Sharing the findings

Findings from the survey will be used to develop a short report, which will be shared across the HIPPY network to encourage peer learning and highlight innovative practices. This report and related content may also be shared externally, including with the Department of Social Services, in HIPPY publications, presentations, and on social media.

Thank you for your valuable contributions and commitment to inclusive practice.

Link to the Survey > HERE

Survey remains open until Friday, 20 June 2025

Questions?

Please direct any questions by email to Paula Rowe prowe@bsl.org.au

We’re pleased to confirm that Supplementation Payments for HIPPY Site Providers will continue in the next financial year (FY25/26), as confirmed by DSS. This ongoing support recognises the value of HIPPY and helps providers maintain high-quality services for families.

While the total amount of supplementation is yet to be determined, we expect it to be similar to the previous year. As soon as we have further details on payment amounts and schedules, we’ll update all sites.

We thank all HIPPY Site Providers for your dedication and look forward to another year of impactful work together. Further details on the payment schedule and allocation process will be shared in the coming weeks.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2022,
( ABS 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) findings summary ), shows that 12.1% of children and young people aged 0-24 years (946,300 individuals) have a disability; a notable increase from 8.3% in 2018.

Of these, 6% experience profound or severe disability, and 67.8% require some support with everyday activities. The data also highlights that 37.5% of children aged 0-14 with disability have a parent who also has a disability.

Within HIPPY, about 25% of enrolled children have a disability or have parents who are concerned about their child’s development.

HIPPY Australia is committed to inclusivity, ensuring our program supports all children and their parents to thrive. Through home-based learning and tailored support, we empower families to overcome barriers and foster positive outcomes for every child.

Key statistics summary

• In 2022, 12.1% of children and young people aged 0-24 years (946,300 people) had disability, up from 8.3% in 2018
• The rate of disability was higher for males aged 0-24 years (13.7%) than females in the same age group (10.5%)
• 6.0% of children and young people aged 0-24 years had a profound or severe disability, up from 4.1% in 2018
• Over two-thirds (67.8%) of children and young people aged 0-24 years with disability needed some support with everyday activities
• 37.5% of children aged 0-14 years with disability had a parent with disability

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for this informative webinar.

Unfortunately, due to FERN’s safeguarding policy on working with vulnerable people, we are unable to upload a recording of the Wednesday 7 May Webinar. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

For information about other learning opportunities with FERN, please visit

If you have further questions for Tamara please email: HIPPY Australia

Linked Resources:

MoneySmart.gov.au Get free, easy-to-read information to help make everyday money decisions by visiting the publications section of the MoneySmart Website .

Need help to work out where your money going? Try using the MoneySmart Budget Planner .

Free Financial Capability Building resource sheet.

SNAICC is offering travel subsidies to help eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) attend SNAICC '25 in Brisbane.

Each eligible organisation may nominate one person to receive a subsidy: $1,100 (inc. GST) for attendees from Australian capital cities (excluding Brisbane), or $2,200 (inc. GST) for those from regional or remote areas.

Priority is given to organisations with representatives presenting at the conference, with remaining subsidies allocated on a first come, first served basis. To apply, indicate your interest during registration or update your existing registration. Only one subsidy is available per organisation.

Click here to read more & register

The Parenting Resource Centre (PRC) delivered a webinar on 8 May 2025, covering the evaluation’s aims, site involvement in data collection, and guidance for sites selected for interviews, focus groups, and the broader parent survey. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions directly to the PRC team.

If you missed it, the recording is available here .

Evaluation activities are ongoing, and we are preparing for the next phases.

• HIPPY Australia will soon send out survey emails and contact details for you to share with current and former parents.
• A comprehensive list with details on families who meet specific criteria will be made available to you. You will not be required to create this independently. Please look out for these
• A final FAQs document will be shared soon
• Please keep an eye on your inbox (including Spam or Junk folders) for any contact from Curijo or IPS

If you have any questions, experience any issues in contacting families, or have any feedback, please get in touch with HIPPY Australia directly.

As you may be aware, the Department of Social Services (DSS) undertook a Mid-Point Review of HIPPY’s performance against our Grant Agreement, commencing 31 December 2024.
This review provided an opportunity for DSS and BSL to identify areas for improvement and work together to achieve improved outcomes. The review specifically assessed program milestones and client outcomes from 1 July 2022 to 31 December 2024, measured against 12 criteria.

We are pleased to report that the HIPPY Program performed exceptionally well in the DSS Mid-point review.

These results are a testament to the dedication of our team and the broader HIPPY network who passionately work towards supporting parents and caregivers in their role as ongoing teachers of their children.

We met an incredible 10 out of the 12 criteria set by DSS. While the mid-point review concluded that we hadn't quite met targets around enrolment in non-focused sites and overall retention rates, we are pleased to report that we were exceptionally close!!

The 2024 Tutor Outcomes report presents the below range of positive impacts experienced by Tutors:

• 52% of respondents indicated that they had gained employed upon exiting the HIPPY program
• 37% of respondents continued to work within their host site, with 10% of respondents continuing to work within the HIPPY program in some capacity
• 63% of respondents reported feeling 'very confident' after their time at HIPPY with 73% identifying as First Nations and 68% identifying as Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
• 58% of respondents indicated that they were studying or planning to study.

The Quality, Performance and Administration team supports HIPPY sites across a range of areas, including Safeguarding Compliance, LMS Canvas, and ETO technical support. To help us maintain this support, please keep up to date with communications from the HIPPY Australia National Office.

A quick reminder: always upload safeguarding checks directly to ETO rather than emailing them to the ETO Support inbox. Uploading to ETO is the most secure way to share sensitive information and helps protect your staff’s privacy.

For sites onboarding new HIPPY staff, please remember that uploading Staff Demographic Information to ETO is essential. This process provides HIPPY Australia with valuable statistical data to support ongoing program improvements and ensures compliance with privacy requirements.

Each new staff member must also sign the Staff Privacy Acknowledgement form before starting in their role.
Please enter this information into ETO once the staff member is approved, or upload the completed form using the ‘Add a new staff member’ Touchpoint in ETO.

Enrolment Journeys are a key part of understanding how HIPPY families progress through the program and provide a foundational benchmark for each family. This information is also a requirement for DSS reporting.

Currently, some sites are not submitting the Enrolment Journey as part of the enrolment process in ETO.
Please ensure you complete and submit these forms along with enrolment information whenever you enrol a new family into ETO.

A short reminder to sites that the deadline for submitting the Budget FY26 was 14 May 2025.

If you have not yet submitted your budget, please do so at your earliest convenience. If you need any assistance with the budget process, the HIPPY Australia inbox is available to provide guidance and answer your questions.

For those who require additional time, please reach out to your Site Advisor to discuss the possibility of an extension.

Your timely submission helps ensure the continued success and smooth operation of the HIPPY program across all sites.

We’re proud to spotlight HIPPY Campbelltown, where Tutor Simmee (Hui Sim Li) and Coordinator Ann Tibbles have shared a wonderful resource their community children have loved. “The current weather is a learning opportunity for kids,” they say, encouraging families to explore the ABC Kids resource on rain and weather, including Play School’s engaging ‘Rain, Hail or Shine’ activities.

You can find the resource materials here , & linked learning material here: Play School's Rain, Hail or Shine - ABC Kids .

Children are natural observers, and for young learners, the weather is a captivating subject. The dynamic nature of the weather provides a rich, tangible source to fuel their curiosity. From sunny skies to gentle rain, it's something they experience firsthand every day, helping them make sense of the world around them, and connecting them directly to the environment around them.

You would know, Australia's varied and intricate weather systems are understood differently by First Nations peoples across the country. Their deep ecological knowledge often results in seasonal calendars that go beyond the four European seasons, defining 2, 4, 6, or even 8 distinct periods based on precise environmental indicators. This resource gives more details: Indigenous Culture - Indigenous Weather Knowledge - Bureau of Meteorology

Thank you, HIPPY Campbelltown, for sharing your innovative approach and helping our network connect learning to the world outside the window!

Toneea Watson, HIPPY Coordinator at Robinvale District Health Services, recently organised a special event for families in the 3 and 4-year-old program.

On 29 April, HIPPY Robinvale welcomed emergency services including the Euston RFS, Ambulance Victoria, and Victoria Police for a memorable community gathering.

Children enthusiastically explored emergency vehicles, asked questions, and learned about the important work of firefighters, paramedics, and police officers.

The event also included hands-on first aid activities, with children practising bandaging and CPR under the guidance of paramedics.

The police car was a particular favourite, especially when one curious child discovered the siren button!

A highlight for many was the chance to use the fire hose, with even HIPPY Mentors joining in the fun.

RDHS catering provided a nutritious lunch, enjoyed by all.

Given the overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, this event will become an annual tradition at HIPPY Robinvale.

Perceptions and Rebuilding Inclusion

Disability awareness is more than just understanding, it’s about transforming the way we see, speak about, and support people with disability. At its core, this initiative challenges outdated and limiting beliefs, encouraging a shift from deficit-based thinking to a more inclusive, empowering perspective.

Through this introductory webinar, Eldon Lim, BSL Accessibility Lead, will explore:

• Deficit Views of Disability - Unpacking the harmful assumption that disability is a problem to be fixed, rather than a natural part of human diversity.
• Ableism - Recognising and addressing the systemic discrimination and social prejudice that marginalise people with disability.
• Equality, Inclusion, and Adjustments - Understanding the crucial differences between these terms and why true inclusion goes beyond treating everyone the same.

Use this link to join the webinar (Calendar invitations to follow shortly)

DATE: 19 June 2025
TIME: 1:00 -1:45 pm AEST

Time zone note:
The times above are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST, UTC+10), which applies to ACT, NSW, QLD, TAS, and VIC. Corresponding start times for other regions:

• South Australia (ACST): 12:30 pm
• Northern Territory (ACST, no daylight saving): 11:30 am
• Western Australia (AWST): 11:00 am

Severe weather events like bushfires, floods, and cyclones are becoming more frequent, impacting families, communities, and the workers who support them. Research shows that practitioners and support workers are at greater risk of burnout, vicarious trauma, and compassion fatigue, especially if they’ve also experienced the disaster themselves.

Supporting worker wellbeing is essential for both staff and the families they help, and it requires a shared approach from organisations and individuals alike. This webinar will explore practical strategies for managers and practitioners to promote wellbeing and resilience in disaster-affected settings.

This webinar will give you:

• insight into how to adopt a child-centred and family-focused approach to worker wellbeing
• tips for recognising some of the ways disasters can impact workers’ mental health
• strategies to protect the wellbeing of child and family workers and their families
• a better understanding of some organisational practices that you can use to support workers’ wellbeing.

This webinar will be of interest to anyone who works with infants, children and families, including frontline workers and their managers.

Date & time

• Wednesday 25 June 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 PM (AEST) OR Find your time zone

Register or find out more

• CLICK To Register > Registration
• VISIT to find out more > Wellbeing for workers supporting children and families after a disaster | Australian Institute of Family Studies

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs from 27 May to 3 June. This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’ which urges everyone to look ahead and continue the push forward, guided by past lessons.

The Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision on 3 June 1992, providing legal recognition that Indigenous people have a special relationship with the land.

This decision paved the way for land rights known as native title. Mabo Day celebrates the life of activist Eddie Koiki Mabo.

Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice, commemorates the faith of Ibrahim (Abraham).

It is celebrated with prayers, gatherings, and sharing food with those in need.

The Barunga Statement was presented to Prime Minister Bob Hawke at the Barunga Festival.

This statement called for Indigenous rights, including self-determination, land rights, and an end to discrimination.

Refugee Week is celebrated around the country. It celebrates the resilience and contributions of refugees in Australia, fostering understanding and inclusion.

20 June is World Refugee Day. It provides an opportunity for everyone to come together to learn about their experiences and celebrate their strength & courage.

National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week held annually in early July, is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

It is an opportunity to recognise Indigenous Australians’ contributions to our country and society.

This year’s theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.