There is increasing evidence that supporting families with place-based, integrated or collaborative, multi-sector service provision can mitigate some of the key systemic barriers families face in accessing support at times when they need it most (Calik et al., 2024; Glover et al., 2021; Hodgins et al., 2022). Key to a successful child and family hub is working closely with the local community and service providers (Moore, 2024).  

This is the story of working together with our local community and service providers to co-design the First Steps Count Child and Community Centre using several different modes of community engagement. First Steps Count is an independent, collaborative hub that provides a safe and welcoming space for families with children aged 0-12 years to play, connect and access supports. It is a beautiful, purpose-built space on Biripi Country Taree, in rural NSW.    

Over the 12-year period of bringing the First Steps Count vision to life, the committee and team have used many different approaches to include the community and service providers in determining the direction of the centre. This co-design process has built a sense of ownership and partnership in our local community. The process has included collaborative community art projects; consultation and discussion with Biripi Elders and the community; developing working together agreements with service providers; and using Facebook and online platforms to share information and receive feedback. 

Key to this process are the principles of non-judgement, deep listening and valuing each person’s voice (Miriam-Rose et al., 2022).  As part of this story, a community member will tell her story of working together with First Steps Count and how this has influenced her life and family. 

Aboriginal communities in the remote Fitzroy Valley, Western Australia, have been internationally recognised for their leadership in supporting children with early life trauma (ELT) and other complex neurodevelopmental needs. Previous research has identified an increased prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, ELT, and developmental delays among children born in 2002/2003, with limited access to healthcare and supportive services in the Fitzroy Valley. In 2015, Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre invited Royal Far West, a specialist developmental paediatric health service, to the community. They formed the Marurra-U partnership, which implements a community-led, trauma-informed, culturally appropriate, wrap-around model of care for children with ELT and other complex neurodevelopmental needs, and their families. One aspect of the wraparound model is the Marurra-U Family Camp. The camp aims to improve therapeutic outcomes for children through recreation-based activities, alongside parent workshops focused on understanding children’s brain development, emotion regulation, and supporting child needs. The family-centred approach also aims to strengthen family relationships and child-parent interactions through dedicated time for connection and shared positive experiences. Parents and carers participated in yarning sessions at the end of the 2024 camp to capture their experiences. Results showed parents valued knowledge gained in understanding and responding to their children’s needs. Parents also felt the Marurra-U Family Camp created opportunities for their children to grow in confidence, independence, build social skills, and strengthen connections with other children, their siblings, and their parents. The Marurra-U partnership presents a unique model of care for supporting children with ELT that is community-led, culturally appropriate, and family-centred. The Marurra-U camp builds developmental paediatric allied health expertise into the recreation- and family-centered care evidence-base, and to the best of our knowledge, is the first family camp designed and delivered to support Aboriginal children and families with complex neurodevelopmental and psychosocial/emotional needs.