Learning Hubs
Queensland Hubs Exchange of Expertise & Learning (QHEEL)
Child and family hubs provide safe, friendly places, where families can access the supports and services they need, and connect with others.
For those of us navigating the journey of parenting, hubs can be like lighthouses or safe harbours – especially when we’re going through rough waters.
Hubs play an important part in supporting Queensland communities, families and children to thrive.
The aim of Queensland Hubs Exchange of Expertise and Learning (QHEEL) Initiative is to support hubs with the connections, knowledge, skills and strategies they need to best support their communities.
Join the mailing list for Queensland Hubs Exchange of Expertise & Learning (QHEEL)
Queensland Hubs – Learning Exchange (Online)
Building a collaborative learning community for all Queensland hubs.
When we support hubs, we support families and children to thrive.
Delivered through Queensland Hubs Exchange of Expertise and Learning (QHEEL), this monthly series will bring together Queenslanders with an interest in hubs to learn from one another and explore what works.
The series will bring to life the Queensland Child and Family Hubs Framework. Each session will also consider what the topic means for the role of hubs in delivery of the Thriving Kids initiative.
Why attend?
- Learn from others working in and alongside Queensland child and family hubs.
- Build practical knowledge you can contextualise to apply in your own setting.
- Access evidence, tools and resources to support your work, including those of the National Child and Family Hubs Network.
- Strengthen connections with others interested in hubs.
- Contribute to a shared understanding of effective practice.
- Build a network of people interested in hubs in Queensland.
Who should attend?
Anyone working or interested in child and family hubs across Queensland – whether in planning, under development or established – including funders and researchers.
When are they on?
Each session will be held on a Thursday between 11.30am – 1.00pm (AEST) on the following dates:
6 August, 2026
Setting the scene for the Learning Exchange
Speakers: Sophie Morson (Queensland Kids Partnership), Viv Kissane (Peach Tree), Glenda Stanley (Family LinQ)
3 September, 2026
How we talk about hubs matters (framing)
Speakers: Naomi Brown (Queensland Kids Partnership), Penny Creamer (Play Matters Australia), Kylie Williams (GRT)
5 November, 2026
TBC
Registration link coming soon.
3 December, 2026
4 February, 2027
4 March, 2027
15 April, 2027
6 May, 2027
3 June, 2027
How can I find out more?
To join the QHEEL mailing list to stay informed of upcoming events and opportunities, register your contact details here.
For more information, please contact Sophie Morson (Principal Partnership Manager – Hubs, Queensland Kids Partnership) on sophie.morson@aracy.org.au.
This series is an offering of Queensland Hubs Exchange of Expertise and Learning (QHEEL), with support from the National Child and Family Hubs Network.
CAIRNS 3-DAY IMMERSION
Tuesday 15 – Thursday 17 September
As part of the QHEEL initiative, QKP is collaborating with the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) to offer a limited number of opportunities for hubs to learn more about First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing.
The first immersion was held in Cairns in 15-17 September.
The first 2 days involved Waterways training
Waterways is a culturally grounded professional learning package that builds the capability of services working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. The training supports participants to build an understanding of trauma, culture and self-determination, and is underpinned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of Knowing, Being and Doing.
It was developed by QATSICPP in partnership with SNAICC, and other state-based peaks as well as independent consultants Yamurrah. Funded by Department of Social Services (DSS), the partnership worked together in solidarity to build the cultural responsiveness of DSS funded services working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families across Australia.
Waterways offers tools to support ‘wise and reflective practice’ when working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Here’s what people say about the Waterways training:
The third day involved visiting First Nations hubs
To further extend Waterways learning from theory to practice, participants visited two local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ATSICCOs). This enabled them to deepen their cultural understanding, and build meaningful, place-based relationships.
Participants met the people working in the ATSICCOs and saw first-hand how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders ways of working are put into practice.
Attendance at this opportunity (including all catering, and attendance at a networking dinner and cultural tour on the night of 16 September) is free. However, participants will need to cover expenses associated with any travel and accommodation to attend. They will also be asked to take part in an evaluation, including involvement in a brief online follow-up interview that will further support application of learnings into practice.
How do I register:
Please register by Friday 14 August here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MPM569V
- We anticipate places will book up quickly, so please register as soon as possible!
- Please ensure you have obtained organisational approval before registering.
- Each person registering will need to complete the above link individually.
- Registrations cannot be shared across multiple people, and attendance is in-person only.
- If your organisation wishes to send more than two people, please reach out to QKP to discuss this further.
- We will close registrations when we reach capacity. If this is the case, you’ll be advised of this by a pop-up message from the above link. However, you can ask to be added to a waiting list – please see details below.
- Please refrain from making travel arrangements until you hear back from QKP to confirm your registration.
- We will provide more information about the program and venue when registrations have closed.
- If you are not a hub but would like to access the Waterways training, please contact QATSICPP directly to express your interest: waterways@qatsicpp.com.au
What if I am interested but couldn’t attend the session in Cairns?
We will be offering another package in south-east Queensland (location to be confirmed) in February 2027. If you would like to be advised of this opportunity when details are available – but have yet to express your interest – please email us on the details below. We will circulate more information shortly.
Questions
If you have questions about this opportunity, please email Queensland Kids Partnership’s Principal Partnership Manager – Hubs, Sophie Morson, on sophie.morson@aracy.org.au.
Background about QHEEL
The aim of Queensland Hubs Exchange of Expertise and Learning (QHEEL) Initiative is to support hubs with the connections, knowledge, skills and strategies they need. So they can support children and families with the right supports at the right time.
QHEEL is designed to provide a range of opportunities to engage in capability building and innovation.
Immersion e.g. visits to other hubs for peer-to-peer learning
Accessing Capability e.g. through accessing free training, peer mentoring, coaching, community of practice
Delivering Capability e.g. through funding to deliver training, peer mentoring, coaching, community of practice
Innovation Groups to collectively develop and test solutions to system challenges as referenced in the Queensland Child and Family Hubs Framework
About QHEEL activities so far
The first immersion bus tour of hubs in Logan
In March 2026, ten participants from across Queensland took part in a two-day immersion coordinated by QKP – the first offering of the Queensland Hub Exchange Expertise and Learning (QHEEL) initiative funded by Minderoo Foundation to June 2027.
Together, the group visited five hubs in Logan, with learning opportunities including a cross-sectoral panel considering the impact, needs and policy landscape of hubs, and a networking dinner.
A recurring theme was that each hub is shaped by local voices in finding their own way to provide children and families with the right supports, at the right time, in the right way. For families navigating the journey of parenting, hubs are like welcome lighthouses or safe harbours, especially when the waters get rough.
A big thanks to immersion hosts Settlement Services International, Village Connect, Gunya Meta, the Benevolent Society, and FamilyLinQ.
The following LinkedIn posts help to tell the story of this initiative and the value of the visits:
How you can get involved
To find out more and talk about ways to get involved, contact us at sophie.morson@aracy.org.au.
To find out more about hubs, visit our Supporting Child and Family Hubs page, which collates information including:
Child & Family Hubs Framework documents
What are Child & Family Hubs?
Hubs in Queensland (including mapping)
Supporting the work of the National Child and Family Hubs Network
Back to main Child & Family Hubs page
For overarching information including Framework document, mapping, definitions and collaborations.
The QHEEL initiative is funded by Minderoo Foundation
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