Published 05 Mar 2026
Nominations now open for the 2026 Victorian Protecting Children Awards
The 2026 Victorian Protecting Children Awards (VPCA) recognise people and teams who show outstanding commitment to supporting children, young people and families across Victoria.
Now in their 23rd year, these prestigious awards celebrate the dedication and impact of the Victorian child and family services sector, including the many professionals and community members who work every day to keep children safe, supported and connected.
The VPCAs honour excellence across 12 award categories, and anyone can nominate. By submitting a nomination, you help shine a light on the positive difference individuals and teams make through their care, leadership, advocacy and collaboration.
Who can be nominated?
People from across the child and family services system and broader community can be nominated, including workers in child protection, government and academic settings, as well as foster, kinship and permanent carers, volunteers and community members. The awards recognise anyone—such as mentors, case workers, educators, carers or leaders—whose efforts strengthen the wellbeing and safety of children and young people.
Key dates
- Nominations open: Tuesday 3 March
- Nominations close: Thursday 9 April at 5:00 pm
- Finalists announced: Late July / early August
- Awards ceremony: September.
If you know a person or team who demonstrates excellence in supporting children, young people and families, nominate them today. Your nomination helps highlight and celebrate the important work happening across Victoria’s communities.
Award categories
Robin Clark Leadership Award
The winner of this pre-eminent award epitomises Robin Clark and her legacy of inspiring leadership and influential stewardship of child and family policy and practice in Victoria.
This award recognises an individual whose leadership inspires others to act wisely and care deeply about achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families or carers.
Robin Clark Making a Difference Award
The team or group winners of this award embody Robin Clark’s vision and legacy of a well-connected community and service system contributing to better outcomes for children, young people and their families or carers.
This award recognises the exceptional contribution of a team or group of people who have worked to directly improve the lives of children, young people and their families or carers in Victoria. This can be in partnership or collaboration with government and non-government agencies.
The winners of this award strive to achieve excellence. Their work shows insight, practicality and respect for the needs of children, young people and their families or carers. This includes supporting Aboriginal self-determination to achieve the best outcomes for Aboriginal children, young people and their families or carers
Minister's Award for Excellence in Protecting Children
This award recognises an individual, team or group that have advanced their approach or intervention to achieve the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families or carers.
Foster Carer Award
This award recognises assessed and approved foster carers, both present and past. It honours foster carers who have made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.
Kinship Carer Award
This award recognises assessed and approved kinship carers, both present and past. It honours kinship carers who have made a significant contribution to the lives of children and young people in care.
Engaging Kids in School Award
This award recognises education is fundamental to the development of individuals and families and helps build a strong community.
The winner of this award is an individual, team or group who have supported children and young people in their schooling journey or introduced young children to early years and pre-school programs.
Nominees are committed to the very best outcomes for children and young people. They show their ability to work with the education and child protection systems.
Keeping At Risk Young People Safe Award
This award recognises an individual, team or group that goes above and beyond to support at risk youth.
The winner of this award prioritises empowering young people in the decision-making process and assists them to achieve their goals
CREATE Positive Impacts Award
This award gives Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and young people aged 8 - 25 years with a care experience the opportunity to nominate someone. This may be a carer, support worker or agency who has made a positive difference to their lives, particularly through assisting them to have a voice within the care services system.
Child and Youth Empowerment Award – Commission for Children and Young People
This award was established by the Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People. The award recognises an individual, team or organisation who has achieved excellence in realising children’s and young people’s right to meaningfully participate in matters affecting them.
Leaving a Legacy Award
This award recognises the people who have made a significant contribution to the child, youth, and family services sector throughout their career as well as making an impact on their local community.
‘Leaving a Legacy’ acknowledges those who have positively contributed to the sector and whose remarkable achievements should be highlighted.
The Walda Blow Aboriginal Children and Young People Award
This award recognises contributions of an Aboriginal person, persons or organisations in Victoria to the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people.
Chief Practitioner’s Award
The Chief Practitioner’s Award recognises an individual working in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (the department) child protection program who embodies best practice, commitment and leadership.
