Bespoke web platform | Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre | Notitia
Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre is setting new standards in early childhood education, using personalised solutions to better support children and families.
Partnering with Notitia, the centre developed a bespoke web platform that transformed how they track, manage, and grow children and families. It acts as a virtual doorway into their centre and supports their unique education and wellness curriculum.
While technology was the enabler, it was Bubup Wilam’s vision that drove the custom platform project, Bubup Wilam CEO, Lisa Thorpe, said.
"The goal of Bubup Wilam is actually to become completely autonomous—to be self-determining for our own children and families, to lead by our potential, not by a deficit, and to be able to lead our own lives," she said.
Bubup Wilam has long been recognised for its dedication to a whole-child approach to education and family wellbeing.
They focus on fostering strong identities and supporting each child’s individual journey, from early development through to school-age follow-ups.
Bubup Wilam was awarded the 2023 NAIDOC Education Award, celebrating their leadership in innovative education.
This year, the centre achieved an “Excellent” rating from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)—the highest possible rating under the National Quality Framework, affirming their commitment to delivering outstanding care and education.
Addressing Unique Challenges with Custom Technology
Bubup Wilam’s need for a tailored solution was clear from the outset.
Traditional off-the-shelf software didn’t fit their unique operational requirements, particularly their focus on long-term, individualised care. The solution had to provide data centralisation, simple usability, and ensure that both families and staff could easily access critical information in real time.
"One of the challenges for an organisation that doesn't just do one thing is that information lives in lots of different systems that don't talk to each other," Notitia Managing Director Alex Avery said.
"What's critical when caring for somebody or just simply understanding someone's progress is that you can glue all this information together and see it in the right context at the right time."
Notitia’s development of a custom web platform allowed for just that. Integrating existing systems such as CRM and clinical tools, the platform provides Bubup Wilam with a complete, flexible system that can adapt to future needs. This solution has enabled the centre to centralise all touchpoints in a child’s journey, from initial enrolment inquiries to school-age follow-ups.
"We co-designed this solution with Bubup Wilam to ensure it worked seamlessly within their operations," Mr Avery said.
"The goal was to make sure the platform would not only serve their current needs but also grow with them in the future."
From Concept to Reality: A Seamless Digital Transformation
The platform’s impact has been immediate. Bubup Wilam now benefits from a centralised system that simplifies data management and reporting, allowing educators to focus more on the children and families they support.
It also facilitates real-time access for parents, enabling them to stay connected to their child’s progress throughout the day.
"There is a large amount of technical complexity under the surface, but what was critical was to make the user interface as clean and as simple as possible,” Notitia Managing Director, Alex Avery said.
“As a parent, the family portal allows me to see a holistic view of my child.
“It lets me understand what happened throughout their day, what the longer-term plans are, and if there's any needs I need to address."
Bubup Wilam’s whole-child approach to education is one of the factors that earned them the NAIDOC Education Award in 2023. This award celebrates their dedication to combining cultural identity and educational excellence.
The centre’s curriculum, which integrates daily practices like raising the Aboriginal flag and acknowledging Country, helps foster a strong sense of identity and pride in each child.
"We grow our children and our families strong to be able to lead their own lives," Ms Thorpe explains.
The development of this custom solution also provided Bubup Wilam with full ownership of their data and technology—an essential aspect that ensures their service remains adaptable and flexible to changing needs, Ms Thorpe said.
"The platform has given us the ability to take full control of how we track and manage each child’s progress,” she said.
We can now view all touchpoints in their journey, from the first enrolment inquiry through to school-age follow-ups.”
A Model for the Future of Early Childhood Care
The collaboration between Bubup Wilam and Notitia is a testament to what can be achieved when tailored digital solutions meet a clear vision for service delivery.
The success of this project demonstrates the power of technology in enhancing operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and ultimately, the outcomes for children and families, Notitia Managing Director Alex Avery says.
"Notitia exists to make a really positive impact using data, technology, and analysis,” he said.
“One of the great things about working with Bubup Wilam is the fact that what we're building actually makes a difference in the lives of young people."
Contact the Notitia team to learn more about custom technology solutions.
