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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 28 years. Act for Kids operates 22 centres with a team of over 300 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 led by paediatrician Dr David Wood, 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 Children’s 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 is opened in Townsville. 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 3000 more kids in the coming year.

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. Dr Carrington started his career as a teacher in Cunnamulla, a remote community west of Brisbane with a high Indigenous…

Dr Katrina Lines

Executive Director of Services

Dr Katrina Lines is Executive Director of Services with Act for Kids, a not-for-profit organisation providing prevention, early intervention and therapeutic programs to children who have been abused, or are at risk of abuse and neglect. Katrina is psychologist with more than 15 years’ experience working with children and young…

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…

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 Regional Director of Act for Kids Gold…

Kieran Smith

Regional Director - Far North Queensland

Kieran Smith joined Act for Kids in 2007 and since then has had a variety of roles being a Family Coach in the Referral for Active Intervention (RAI) Program, Program Manager for the Doomadgee Safe House, Director of our SafeKIDS Program and now Regional Director of Far North Queensland. He…

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 is currently enrolled in Doctorate of Clinical Psychology at James Cook University. Prior to…

Thomas McIntyre

Regional Director - Brisbane, Wide Bay/Burnett

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…

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…