First 1,000 Days Consumer Advisory Group

The first 1,000 days of life, from conception until the end of the second year of life, are critical to a person’s future health and wellbeing. Investments in this early stage provide a greater return when compared with investments made later in life.

To give children and their families the best start in life, this involves the Health Department and other stakeholders such as other government agencies, non-government organisations and the broader community to improve the coordination and integration of services into the future.

We are committed to partnering with parents, carers, families and communities to design a whole of government framework to benefit pregnant women, babies, young children and families across WA. We will do this by working alongside a group of consumers.

Who should apply to be part of the consumer group?

Expectant parents and parents/carers with a child under five years, who have birthed a child in WA in and/or been to appointments with a Child Health Nurse.

These parents/carers may be:        

  • from metropolitan Perth and regional/remote areas
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse
  • Aboriginal
  • Under or over 18 years of age
  • Parents, Carers or Grandparents
  • Foster carers
  • Parents of a child with disability

The main duties are:

  • Be a member of the Consumer Advisory Group that helps develop the First 1,000 Days Framework. This group will:
    • Have 12 members who have used maternity or child health services in WA in the last five years
    • Meet each month online or at Perth Children's Hospital, from May-December 2024
    • Provide thoughts and input on the vision, priorities and outcomes of the First 1,000 Days Framework
  • Provide advice to the First 1,000 Days Framework committees from a consumer perspective. 

What experience, skills and interests are we looking for?

We are looking for consumers who fulfill one or more of these criteria:

  • Have confidence to speak up and share thoughts, reactions and ideas.
  • Have good networks with other families or carers who have lived experience of expecting or parenting a child in the first 1,000 days of the child’s life.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with disability to apply.

Click here to apply to join the First 1,000 Days Consumer Advisory Group

Read our FAQs for more information about being a consumer representative

 

Last Updated: 08/05/2024