Child First Forum 2026
The second Child First Forum is scheduled for 12 and 13 May 2026. Details about the Forum, including the post-Forum report, will be made available on this webpage.
Please contact Families ACT should you have any questions about the upcoming Forum.
Meet the 2026 Forum presenter
Professor Sharon Goldfeld AM, Paediatrician FAHMS FRACP FAFPHM PhD
Director | The Centre for Community Child Health
Director Population Health | Co-Group Leader Policy and Equity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute
Professor | Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne
Further information about Professor Goldfeld is available here.
Why the Child First Forum?
The ACT’s Child First Forum is a unique opportunity for service providers, researchers, government representatives, health and education representatives to gather and assess existing measures to understand and address childhood developmental vulnerability, disadvantage and poverty in the ACT.
Presenting the most contemporary, relevant and locally specific data, research and information, the forum aims to establish a shared understanding of child developmental vulnerability and poverty at a systems-level. This will include sharing effective strategies to date at the systems and service-level, drawing out innovative ideas and solutions to address issues in the ACT in novel ways towards reducing rates of childhood developmental vulnerability and poverty in the ACT.
Key objectives of the Child First Forum include:
increase attendees’ knowledge of the Australian Early Development Census data and childhood developmental vulnerability in the ACT;
share children’s perspectives/views on what a good and tough life looks like for them;
networking across professional groups/experts working with children, young people and their families; and
identifying a series of actions (short, medium and long term) for systems and community services to take target action towards addressing issues that makes life good or tough for ACT children and their families.
The Child First Forum prioritises the developmental, economic social and emotional needs of children. The forum’s focus recognises the profound effect a child’s relationships, experiences and environment have on their growth and development, and the immediate and intergenerational outcomes for family wellbeing. By investing in, and addressing, the needs of every child, we foster lasting positive impact, enabling children to reach their full potential and promote the wellbeing of our families, community and future generations.
The Child First Forum is a the first of a series of workshops, events and networking opportunities designed to further develop and enhance the key objectives of the forum.
Learn more about the 2025 Child First Forum
The inaugural Child First Forum took place on Tuesday, 13 May 2025. Watch the video below to learn more about the Forum and hear from those who attended.
Meet our 2025 presenters
Interested in the Child First Forum and other Families ACT activities? Register your interest in its activities via the link below:
Child Developmental Vulnerability in the ACT: Report
Families ACT’s insight and analysis of the 2024 AEDC results for the ACT is available in this report, highlighting the importance of early intervention and service integration.
Child First Forum 2025 Outcome Report
Read the complete Child First Forum 2025 Outcome Paper to learn more about our collective commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families in the ACT.
Key partners
Commissioner for Children and Young People in the ACT
The Commissioner for Children and Young People in the ACT is an independent statutory office established to promote the rights, interests, and wellbeing of children and young people in the ACT. The Commissioner plays a crucial role in advocating for systemic changes to improve the lives of children and young people in the ACT, ensuring their rights are respected and their needs are met. Jodie Griffiths-Cook is the Children and Young People Commissioner.
Further information about the Commissioner is available here.
Australian Early Development Census
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a nationwide measure of children's development by the time they start school, conducted every three years. It focuses on five key areas of early childhood development:
1. physical health and wellbeing;
2. social competence;
3. emotional maturity;
4. language and cognitive skills (school-based);
5. communication skills and general knowledge.
Further information about the AEDC is available here.
Children’s Policy Centre
The Children's Policy Centre at the Australian National University (ANU) conducts extensive research on child poverty, focusing on understanding and addressing the issue from a child-centred perspective. Their recent work includes a series of posts analysing trends in child poverty and wellbeing, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to tackle these issues.
Further information about the Children’s Policy Centre is available here.
Dr Claire Achmad, Chief Children’s Commissioner, Mana Mokopuna/Children and Young People’s Commission, New Zealand/Aotearoa
Further information about Dr Claire Achmad is available here.
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, ACT Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People
Further information about Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is available here.
Jodie Griffiths-Cook, ACT Commissioner for Children and Young People
Further information about Jodie Griffiths-Cook is available here.
Representatives from the Australian Early Development Census