Are the kids alright?

Veteran Family Commissioner Annabelle Wilson

When I attended my first Veteran Families Forum, I was just 2 weeks into the role of Veteran Family Commissioner. 

I came prepared with what I thought were the top issues facing our community. Carer support, presumptive liability, addressing family and domestic violence, improving DVA programs, postvention support and communication, to name a few. 

Important work, for sure. 

But when we sat with families and worked through the list together, one question rose above the rest: Are the kids alright? And, what are we doing to help them? 

At the time of writing, that forum was almost eight months ago. Since then, children have been a constant focus of my conversations with families, veterans, ex-service organisations, and across government. 

I’m excited to share what we’ve been working on and some of the progress that’s underway. 

Across the country, there are incredible group programs for children. We’re pushing to ensure that the funding that is currently in the space, stays in the space, and where possible provide the personnel needed to support sustainability so these programs can continue to grow. We see what’s possible through opportunities like Kooka­burra Kids and the Legacy Ballarat Camp, and we need to do a better job of helping fami­lies find and access them.

What I’ve heard time and again is how power­ful it can be for kids to realise they’re not the only one. That there are other kids out there who just get it, without needing a long explanation. Those moments of connection really do matter – and we need more of them. 

Alongside that, we’re also strengthening the professional support around children and fam­ilies. Open Arms is now reviewing its Model of Care to include children and adolescents, along­side expanding the range of professionals that people can access. This means more connec­tion to clinicians who understand both trauma and military life, and who work with children in ways that feel safe and age-appropriate. Recent changes have also opened up the outreach net­work, giving families more options and making it easier for children to access support earlier, closer to home. 

This is about getting in before things escalate, and making sure that when families do reach out, there’s someone on the other end who really understands. 

At the same time, we’re giving young people a say in what matters to them. In September, we’re establishing a pilot Children of Veterans Assem­bly at Government House in Canberra as part of the National Consultation Framework. The Assembly, which I see as the “children's compo­nent” of the Families Forum, will be the first time we’re hearing directly from children of veterans, and giving them space to influence the systems and support around them. 

I’m really looking forward to this. For many of these young people, it will be the first time they’re being asked directly about their experiences. Not spoken about, but spoken with. 

We’re also taking a closer look at several exist­ing programs within DVA, including the Sons and Daughters of Vietnam Veterans program, the Acute Support Package and the education schemes to make sure they’re reaching the fam­ilies who need them; and exploring how they can grow to better reflect the intergenerational impact of service on families of veterans. 

A big part of this work comes down to one simple question: who might still be falling through the cracks? Because if support exists, but isn’t reach­ing people, then there’s more work to be done. 

This shows up in the everyday spaces that families walk into as well. It’s important to me that the children’s spaces across our network are warm, welcoming and engaging. And the more familiarity and consistency we have, the bet­ter. Earlier this year, I sent resource packs with children’s books and resources to all of the Vet­erans’ and Families’ Hubs. Inside each pack are children-specific resources that reflect Austral­ian military life, each developed by a defence or veteran spouse. That means this initiative also directly supports veteran families, their creativ­ity, and their communities. 

When a child walks into a space that feels like it was created with them in mind, it sends a clear message that they belong here too. 

Are the kids alright? To answer that question, there’s still a lot of work to do. 

Our children have been asking to be heard for a long time. We’re listening.