From conversation to action: supporting families earlier
Every child should have the opportunity to grow up safe, supported and connected to family, culture and community. This National Child Protection Week, Marist180 brought people together around what it takes to make that possible, and how we turn what we know into action. Children and families don’t live within one service system. Their wellbeing is shaped by the strength of their families and communities, and access to housing, health, education, mental health support, cultural connection and other supports around them.
When support is available earlier, families have greater opportunity to stay strong and children can remain safely connected to the people and communities that matter to them.
Supporting children and families earlier
During National Child Protection Week 2026, Marist180 hosted A Smarter Investment: The Economics of Early Intervention, with the support of Commonwealth Bank.
Leaders from child and family services, advocacy, research and government came together around one question: If we know early support changes lives, what will it take to make it the investment priority it should be?
NSW Advocate for Children and Young People Katherine McKernan spoke about investing in the conditions that help children and young people do well, including connection to school, family support, mental health support and stronger communities, while keeping their voices at the centre of decisions.
Fams NSW CEO Susan Watson captured an important shift in thinking:
“Rather than, ‘Why didn’t we intervene earlier?’, we ask, ‘Why didn’t we support that family earlier?’”
What the evidence tells us
Economic modelling commissioned by Fams NSW and undertaken by Lumenia projects that every $1 invested in early intervention delivers at least $2.97 in economic and social benefits. But the value of earlier support isn't always captured in numbers.
Associate Professor Tim Moore from Australian Catholic University described the “silent benefits” of prevention: “It’s the child that didn’t come into care. It’s the referral that didn’t happen. And it’s just not as visible.”
These are important outcomes: children safely connected to family, young people engaged with school and families receiving support when they need it.
Turning conversation into action
Supporting children and families is shared work. Government, community services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, researchers, business and communities all have a role in creating the conditions that help children and young people do well.
National Child Protection Week brought those voices together around a shared understanding of the value of earlier support. The opportunity now is to build on that momentum for further research and decisive action.
For Marist180, that means continuing to listen to children, young people and families, strengthen partnerships, share evidence and contribute constructively to the decisions that shape their lives. Part of that conversation is how government can better align investment to support families earlier, making the right support available at the right time, before harm and neglect occur.
We know a great deal about what helps children and families. By continuing to bring evidence, experience and people together, we can help turn that knowledge into action, giving more children the opportunity to grow up safe, supported, connected and able to thrive.
Watch the full event video: Marist180 NCPW 2026 event
