Victorian Protecting Children Awards: Berry Street finalists

The Victorian Protecting Children Awards recognise and celebrate dedicated practitioners, workers, carers and community members from across the children and family services system who play a pivotal role in supporting children and families every day.

We’re delighted to announce the Berry Street teams, groups and individuals who’ve been named as this year’s finalists.

2022 Victorian Protecting Children Awards – Finalists

Robin Clark Making a Difference Award

Margarita Frederico AM, La Trobe University

Margarita was nominated for her work leading our Take Two research agenda.

Minister’s Award for Innovation in Protecting Children

Emma Toone, Senior Advisor, Child Parent Psychotherapy

Emma was nominated for her instrumental work in the implementation and growth of Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) – an evidence-based therapy for young children who have experienced family violence together with their caregiver/s – across Victoria and Australia. Emma's leadership and mentorship helped more than 60 children and their carers directly benefit from CPP delivery within the Take Two service.

Positive Parenting Program

Berry Street’s Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) was nominated for its innovative and rapid adaption to change its service delivery to meet the needs of children, young people and families during COVID-19 and the extended lockdowns in Victoria.

Carer Award

Brian Taylor and Patricia Cody, Berry Street Foster Carers

Brian and Patricia have been Berry Street foster carers since 2013, providing exceptional care, dedication and compassion to many children and young people. They have made significant changes to their own lives to best support the children in their care.

Keeping At Risk Young People Safe Award

Emily Nester, Project and Practice Leader, Multi-Agency Support Team

Emily Nester has been the lead coordinator for the Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST) – a unique youth crime prevention partnership model in the Ballarat area – since 2017. Emily’s efforts have helped reinvent the Central Highlands service system through the development and implementation of the MAST model and framework.

Phipps Crescent Residential Care Team

Berry Street’s Phipps Residential Care Team was nominated for their intensive work over a period of 12 months to keep a young person with high-risk behaviour safe in the home and community, before reuniting them with their parent. The team went above and beyond to improve the trajectory of the young person in their care.

Western Region Intensive Case Management Services

Berry Street’s Western Region Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) is a dedicated team with a well-earned reputation across the region for advocating and championing the individualised needs of the children it works with to enhance opportunities for optimal outcomes. Over the past year, the ICMS team has supported 15 young people – leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of positive outcomes.

Congratulations to all Berry Street nominees and good luck to our finalists.

A record 105 submissions were received, with more than 50 individuals, as well as 21 teams and 23 organisations shortlisted for this year’s awards. Winners will be announced at the Victorian Protecting Children Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 7 September 2022.