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About Act for Kids

What We Stand For

Our Purpose

To prevent and treat child abuse and neglect.

Our Vision

All kids have a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and neglect.

Our Values

We are a professional, ethical team who is caring, courageous and collaborative.

Act for Kids is an Australian charity providing free therapy and support services to children and families who have experienced, or are at risk of child abuse and neglect. We have helped thousands of children and families for over 30 years. Act for Kids operates over 26 centres with a team of over 400 staff from Adelaide all the way up to the Cape York Peninsula. Our services have expanded to include integrated therapy, support for vulnerable families, special workshops to empower kids and safe houses in remote Aboriginal communities.

Our Story

March 1988

Health professionals and the legal fraternity, establish the Abused Child Trust and launch a public campaign to fund a treatment and rehabilitation centre in Brisbane.

1989

On 20 June a child abuse treatment centre is opened at Wooloowin in premises provided by the Queensland
Government. By the end of the year the centre has treated more than 140 abused and neglected kids.

1995

The Trust holds seminars for foster parents in Maryborough, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns. In 1997 a part time counselling service is established for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at Koolyangarra. The Trust wins the Albert & Rose Hingeley Service of Excellence Award for Childrens Services.

1999

A treatment centre is established on the Gold Coast, and a part time outreach service is provided for Redcliffe and districts. In 2002 a treatment centre is opened in Townsville. The Trust is Highly Commended in the Excellence Category for Services by the National Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

2006-2007

A treatment centre is opened in Cairns, along with a second centre on the Gold Coast. The Platinum Class Lottery, a major fundraising initiative, is launched.

2008

The Trust is renamed ACT for Kids. A centre is established in Weipa, Cape York, and a protective behaviours program is delivered to Year 1 children in primary schools on the Gold Coast.

2009-2010

ACT for Kids begins its SafeKIDS program, opening Safe Houses in Napranum, Doomadgee, Pormpuraaw, Aurukun and Kowanyama. Dr Neil Carrington is appointed CEO in August 2010.

2013-2015

The charity is rebranded Act for Kids and opens centres in Gympie, Maryborough, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Roma, and Adelaide. A Child and Family Centre of Excellence opens in Townsville. Act for Kids launches a social enterprise called Youthrive. SafeKIDS program wins the 2015 Queensland Reconciliation Award – Community category.

2016

An integrated therapy centre is opened in Blacktown and an Early Education Program is launched in Cairns. Act for Kids now helps over 15,000 kids and families every year through 22 centres across Australia. The Learn to be safe with Emmy and friends protective behaviours program has been delivered to over 10,000 kids, with funding received from the Vita Foundation to reach 3,000 more kids in the coming year.

2017

Act for Kids opens centres in Rockhampton and Upper Coomera.

2018

Act for Kids has been healing little hearts for 30 years. We opened the doors to our first Victorian centre, delivering our Integrated Therapy Service to children and families in and around Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s north. Key players in the Victorian property industry Lendlease and the Property Industry Foundation (PIF) came together to facilitate a $300,000 refurbishment on the Victorian centre.

2019

Act for Kids wins Gold in the 2019 Human Resource Director (HRD) Employer of Choice Awards and were recognised as a top-performing company in the Leadership, Work-Life Balance, and Health and Wellbeing categories. Act for Kids now helps over 41,000 people every year through 26 centres across Australia.

Our People

We are a professional, ethical team who is caring, courageous, and collaborative.

Dr Neil Carrington

Chief Executive Officer

Dr Neil Carrington joined Act for Kids as Chief Executive Officer in August 2010, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise as an experienced educator, counsellor and leader. In April 2019, Dr Carrington conquered the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea to raise vital funds for children that…

Dr Katrina Lines

Executive Director of Services

Katrina joined Act for Kids in 2006 and took on the role of Executive Director of Services in 2008. Katrina is a registered psychologist with almost 20 years' experience, specifically dealing with issues relating to children and youth. She has a PhD in children's cognitive, social and emotional…

Leanne Dreves

Chief Financial Officer

Leanne Dreves joined Act for Kids as Chief Financial Officer in 2008, bringing with her almost 20 years' experience as a senior finance executive. Leanne is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and also holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting). Prior to working at Act for Kids, Leanne worked in various…

Koni Hanlon

Executive Director of People, Culture and Infrastructure

Koni Hanlon is an experienced human resource professional who has been with Act for Kids since 2012. As a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Koni started her career as a Logistics Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force performing various roles for more than a decade. Discovering a…

Stephen Beckett

Executive Director of Service Development

Stephen is an experienced communications, public affairs and government relations specialist having worked in high-pressure public sector and corporate roles for almost 20 years. He has advised Premiers, Ministers, CEOs and Boards of Directors. As a practiced issues and crisis manager, Stephen is experienced in leading responses to catastrophic natural…

Dr Kaye Pickering

Director of Services

Dr Kaye Pickering is a registered psychologist with 12 years' experience. Dr Pickering has a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked with clients in both inpatient and outpatient settings and her interests include childhood trauma, child development and infant mental health. As Director of Services, Dr Pickering is responsible…

Kieran Smith

Director National Service Development

Having been with Act for Kids since 2007, Kieran started out on the frontline in Cairns and Yarrabah with what is now known as the Intensive Family Support Service. Kieran was the recipient of the 2012 Qld Child Protection Award, Professional Non Govt for his work in establishing the safe…

Thomas McIntyre

National Education Director

Tom holds a Bachelor of Social Science and has worked in front line child protection for over 15 years. He has held front line roles ranging from Team Leader, Senior Practitioner, and Manager with the Department of Communities and Child Safety in Brisbane. Tom has acted in senior executive roles…

David Dini

Regional Director - Far North Queensland

David joined Act for Kids in 2019 after a lengthy career as a Police Officer. He holds qualifications in Management and Business, complemented by ten years as a senior leader in the Queensland Police. His final posting in the Queensland Police was at the rank of Inspector in charge of…

Renee McAllister

Regional Director - North Queensland

Renée McAllister is a registered psychologist with 20 years' experience working in the fields of child and family psychology, forensic psychology, and organisational culture and climate. She is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society and prior to working at Act for Kids, Renée worked for 10 years in private…

Gary E Poole

Regional Director - Southern Queensland

Gary is an MSc Registered Psychologist, and holds a Diploma in Business Management. He has held senior leadership roles in hospital and health services, social services and humanitarian aid agencies for over 30 years and in five countries. Prior to joining Act for Kids in May 2015, Gary was CEO…

Caterina Schulz

A/Regional Director - Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Central Queensland

With a passion for protecting children, Caterina has more than 30 years' experience as a Social Worker. Caterina joined Act for Kids early in 2013, setting up the Intensive Family Support Service (formerly Fostering Families) in the Fraser Coast & North Burnett region. Working in Child Safety for 25 years,…

Dr David Hamill AM

Chairman

The Honourable Dr David Hamill is a professional company director who has served on the boards of various public and private companies as well as not-for-profit and charitable organisations and statutory authorities. He is currently a Director of Brookfield Business Partners LLC, and Chairman of UQ College and as formerly…

Mr John Manning

Deputy Chairman

John Manning (B.Bus, CPA, MAICD) is the Managing Director of JAM Business Advisory, providing strategic advice to private enterprise. He has over 30 years' experience in key management, board and advisory roles across a variety of industries in small to medium size enterprises, private equity, community and publicly listed sectors.…

Mr Thomas Rice

Director

Thomas Rice (BCom, BEcon, Grad Dip Applied Finance, CA, GAICD) is an experienced Finance executive. Thomas is a Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years' professional experience in finance and management both in Australia and internationally, the last 14 years in a CFO capacity. Thomas' professional career began in audit…

Mr Emmanuel Pappas

Director

Emmanuel Pappas ((L.L.B. (Hons.), BCom, GradDipLP)) is a senior lawyer with over 14 years’ experience in corporate and commercial legal practice and a special interest in governance. Emmanuel has spent his legal career both in major Australian private practice law firms and as in-house counsel with major energy companies. Special…

Ms Zoe Newbury

Director

Zoe Newbury (MBus (HRM), BBus (Mgt), GAICD) is a senior Human Resources Manager with experience across a range of strategic people management, planning and operational human resource management functions in diverse, multi-disciplined organisations. She is a specialist in strategic human resource management, organisational development and change management, with 10 years'…

Ms Maria Rampa

Director

Maria Rampa (BA, Grad Cert of Mgt, Certified Practising Marketer) has over 25 years' experience in strategic marketing in the public and private sectors and professional services, in the United Kingdom, Australia and South America. Maria is the Managing Director/Owner of Evvoke Pty Ltd, which incorporates Evvoke Consulting, Evvoke Bespoke…

Mr Nigel Harris

Director

Nigel Harris (MBA, CFRE, FFIA, FIML, GAICD) is the Chief Executive Officer of the Mater Foundation. He has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 35 years, specialising in fundraising management. Nigel is a recognised leader in the fundraising sector, both nationally and internationally. He is a past Chair of…

Dr Ryan Mills

Director

Ryan Mills (MBBS (Hons) FRACP MPH PhD) is a General Paediatrician and Child Protection Advisor based at Logan Hospital, south of Brisbane. Since 2014, he has been the Clinical Chair of Queensland’s Statewide Child Protection Clinical Partnership. Dr Mills has a clinical and research interest in the long-term outcomes for…

Mr Berkeley Cox

Director

Berkeley Cox (LLB. Hons.) is the Chief Executive Partner, Australia of King and Wood Mallesons. As well as admissions in many Australian jurisdictions, Berkeley is admitted to the New York Bar. Special Responsibilities: Member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and First Nations Peoples Working Group.

Ms Teleiah Bayfield

Director

Teleiah Bayfield is the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in Queensland, and has worked in the public and not-for-profit sectors across a range of services for children and young people. In the Last 12 years Teleiah has specialised in cross-cultural mediation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander…