Children, Young People and Families Strategy

The Draft Merri-bek Children, Young People and Families Strategy 2026-2029 builds on the previousChildren, Young People, and Families Plan 2021-2025 (PDF 828Kb) which was Council's first inegrated plan to support local children and young people from birth to adulthood. This new strategy aims to ensure Merri-bek is a place where every child and young person has the best possible start in life.

The key focus areas in this strategy have been developed in response to the feedback we received from over 1400 members of the Merri-bek community who participated in community engagement activities from August to October 2025. This informed the Community Engagement Summary Report.  (PDF 2Mb)

Areas of focus

The draft strategy has three main areas of focus:

  1. Health and wellbeing- We will support children, young people and families to have good physical and mental health, to feel safe and secure in their homes and communities, to have their essential materials needs met, and to have access to the services and supports they need to maintain their wellbeing. 
  2. Connection and inclusion-We will support children, young people and families to feel connected, included and supported, to participate in their communities, and to have a say over the decisions and issues that impact their lives.  
  3. Learning and thriving-We will support children, young people and families to develop the knowledge, skills and capabilities they need to thrive throughout their lives.  

Our vision and progress

The strategy's vision is for Merri-bek to be "a place where all children, young people and families feel safe, and valued and have the opportunities and support they need to learn, thrive and be healthy."

The work to achieve the strategy's vision will be guided by an Implementation Plan, which will be developed following the indorsement of the draft strategy.

For further information on the progress of the development of the strategy, please visit Conversations Merri-bek.

Early Years Infrastructure Plan

The  Early Years Infrastructure Plan (EYIP) (PDF 1011Kb) presents a picture of Council’s early years services and facilities and provides a framework for future infrastructure development to meet the increasing demand for early years services in Merri-bek.

The EYIP presents a list of capital projects together with recommendations for addressing the identified needs in line with Council’s Community Infrastructure Plan and Children, Young People and Families Plan 2021-2025.

Find out more

If you would like to know more, you can contact Bonnie Thomson or Teneha Greco, our Early Years Planning and Development Officers, by emailing bnthomson@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or tgreco@merri-bek.vic.gov.au  or call 9240 1111.