The 360-Kids Community network

A quarter of Australian children are developmentally vulnerable at entry to school (Australian Early Development Census). The social, wellbeing, and developmental challenges they face increases their lifelong risks for poor health and academic outcomes. Without prevention or early intervention these children are at much greater risk for lifestyle-related chronic disease, health, social and educational challenges. These challenges add tens of billions of dollars to public costs each year.

Children living in circumstances of disadvantage are at greater risk of missing out on early prevention opportunities that could improve their health, social inclusion, school engagement and learning opportunities.

The 360-Kids Community Network program seeks to address this issue by equipping all children and young people with the foundations for optimal health and development trajectories that deliver the best opportunities in life. In doing so, the aim is also to reduce the need for costly health and welfare interventions.

To achieve these aims, the network will harness the 360-approach to reimagine the way we support the health and wellbeing of children within our community prior to school entry by focusing on children (e.g., those at high risk of child protection; those with developmental vulnerabilities) and communities (e.g., high disadvantage), by partnering with community groups and key support agencies.

This Program aligns with the National Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the National Action Plan for the Health of Children and Young People: 2020-2030.