Pathways

On 3 December 2009, the first version of Pathways http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/vic was launched at the University of Melbourne. Pathways is an online resource for people who as children were in out-of-home 'care' in Victoria. Pathways tells the story of institutional 'care' in Victoria from its beginnings in the 1840s through to the present. It includes stories and images that describe key institutions and auspicing agencies, public figures, legislation and policies, events, with links to significant publications and record holdings.

You will not find personal information or private records in Pathways. The website contains only information that is already published and/or in the public domain. However, Pathways can help to locate where personal records may be kept by government departments or past providers of 'care'.

Our Vision: Wellbeing, respect and safety for all children and families

Our Mission: Our mission is to strengthen and empower individuals, families and communities in order to heal from the oppression of disadvantage, alienation from culture and social connections and the trauma of abuse and violence

185

employees working at CAFS
to help strengthen and
empower individuals, families
and communities

2,386

phone calls received
for family support
for the year ended
30 June 2011

$3.75m

in client debts written off
by creditors such as banks
and utilities
with CAFS help

CAFS Values

Flexibility: Being adaptable to changing circumstances in the workplace, prioritising work, addressing what is most important and taking advantage of new and emerging opportunities.

Resilience: The capacity to recover from setbacks, overcome obstacles and impediments, and the ability to learn from experience and identify areas for self development.

Client/Member focused: Prioritising the needs of clients and members, aiming for best outcomes for clients and members, being focused on the outcome and following through with commitments.

Inclusive: Recognising the rights of others, being committed to social justice and social inclusion, making equitable decisions and respecting and valuing difference and diversity in all its forms.

Ethical: High standards of personal integrity, being truthful and reflecting expected standards of behaviour consistent with the CAFS Code of Conduct and professional Codes of Ethics.

Collaborative: Working with others to achieve common goals, engendering a spirit of teamwork, listening actively, inspiring confidence and demonstrating empathy when confronted with adversity.