The Department of Communities held its second Child Protection Excellence Awards on Thursday 20 November. The child protection workforce supports Western Australia’s most at risk families, who may be experiencing a range of complex issues within the community. Their aim is to keep children safe and connected with their own families, communities, culture and Country.
Held at the Novotel Perth Langley, the awards recognised and celebrated the achievements of individuals or teams working in child protection, who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating positive outcomes for children, young people, families and carers. This included those working directly with at-risk families and children in out-of-home care, working to reunify children with their families, to staff who have supported policies or projects piloting new ways of working.
The awards recognised the exceptional dedication of individuals and teams across eight different categories, with an outstanding 53 nominations received.
The winners of the 2025 Child Protection Excellence Awards are:
- Minister's Award for Excellence in Child Protection: Candi Mongoo, Team Manager Child Safety, Mid-West Gascoyne District
- Active Efforts Award: Priority Initiatives Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Out of Home Care Team
- Chief Practitioner’s Award: Claire Hepinstall, District Director, Mid-West Gascoyne District
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Elizabeth Talikowski, previous Team Leader, Joondalup District
- Child Protection Practice Excellence Award: West Kimberley District Family Safety Service
- Outstanding Metropolitan Services Award: Rockingham District Leaving Care Team
- Outstanding Regional Services Award: Kununurra Child Safety Team, West Kimberley District
- Collective Action Award, Individual: Kellie Scott, Executive Director, Statewide Services
- Collective Action Award, Team: Cannington District Leadership Team
Local Artist, Bella-Rae opened the ceremony with her exceptional musical talent and set the celebratory tone for the evening. The awards ceremony also hosted a lived-experience guest speaker from CREATE Foundation, who provided insight into the life of a child in care of the Department.
Congratulations to all the winners.
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