❓ Mr. Whitely asked about the allocation of additional staffing funded in the state budget for the Department for Community Development. Mr. Templeman detailed the increase in funding and staffing, focusing on child protection and field services.
AnsweredQoN 277Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BUDGET - DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The state budget included additional funding to the Department for Community Development for increased staffing. Can the minister detail in what areas of service delivery the additional staff will be employed? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
The state budget included additional funding to the Department for Community Development for increased staffing. Can the minister detail in what areas of service delivery the additional staff will be employed? Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Bassendean for his question. I highlight to him and other members the benefits of the massive increase to the Department for Community Development of more than $142 million, over four years, outlined in the budget delivered last Thursday by the Treasurer. The important element for members to remember is that it is the biggest budget increase in the history of the department. I will outline to members where that money will be spent. The money has been targeted for important delivery of services. The 10 per cent increase in staffing will result in an additional 154 permanent staff, and by 2009-10, that number will have increased to 200. The bulk of staff, 133 in total, will be employed in field and direct services and will comprise child protection caseworkers; psychologists; placement and education officers; staff who support foster carers, who are an important part of the department’s work; and additional senior team leader positions. We have also been looking at the importance of taking action to address staff workload issues. It is a big issue in the department. We are expanding the department’s duty of care unit, which will centralise the investigation of allegations of abuse of children in care. I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Bassendean for his question. I highlight to him and other members the benefits of the massive increase to the Department for Community Development of more than $142 million, over four years, outlined in the budget delivered last Thursday by the Treasurer. The important element for members to remember is that it is the biggest budget increase in the history of the department. I will outline to members where that money will be spent. The money has been targeted for important delivery of services. The 10 per cent increase in staffing will result in an additional 154 permanent staff, and by 2009-10, that number will have increased to 200. The bulk of staff, 133 in total, will be employed in field and direct services and will comprise child protection caseworkers; psychologists; placement and education officers; staff who support foster carers, who are an important part of the department’s work; and additional senior team leader positions. We have also been looking at the importance of taking action to address staff workload issues. It is a big issue in the department. We are expanding the department’s duty of care unit, which will centralise the investigation of allegations of abuse of children in care. I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
I thank the member for Bassendean for his question. I highlight to him and other members the benefits of the massive increase to the Department for Community Development of more than $142 million, over four years, outlined in the budget delivered last Thursday by the Treasurer. The important element for members to remember is that it is the biggest budget increase in the history of the department. I will outline to members where that money will be spent. The money has been targeted for important delivery of services. The 10 per cent increase in staffing will result in an additional 154 permanent staff, and by 2009-10, that number will have increased to 200. The bulk of staff, 133 in total, will be employed in field and direct services and will comprise child protection caseworkers; psychologists; placement and education officers; staff who support foster carers, who are an important part of the department’s work; and additional senior team leader positions. We have also been looking at the importance of taking action to address staff workload issues. It is a big issue in the department. We are expanding the department’s duty of care unit, which will centralise the investigation of allegations of abuse of children in care. I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN replied: I thank the member for Bassendean for his question. I highlight to him and other members the benefits of the massive increase to the Department for Community Development of more than $142 million, over four years, outlined in the budget delivered last Thursday by the Treasurer. The important element for members to remember is that it is the biggest budget increase in the history of the department. I will outline to members where that money will be spent. The money has been targeted for important delivery of services. The 10 per cent increase in staffing will result in an additional 154 permanent staff, and by 2009-10, that number will have increased to 200. The bulk of staff, 133 in total, will be employed in field and direct services and will comprise child protection caseworkers; psychologists; placement and education officers; staff who support foster carers, who are an important part of the department’s work; and additional senior team leader positions. We have also been looking at the importance of taking action to address staff workload issues. It is a big issue in the department. We are expanding the department’s duty of care unit, which will centralise the investigation of allegations of abuse of children in care. I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
I thank the member for Bassendean for his question. I highlight to him and other members the benefits of the massive increase to the Department for Community Development of more than $142 million, over four years, outlined in the budget delivered last Thursday by the Treasurer. The important element for members to remember is that it is the biggest budget increase in the history of the department. I will outline to members where that money will be spent. The money has been targeted for important delivery of services. The 10 per cent increase in staffing will result in an additional 154 permanent staff, and by 2009-10, that number will have increased to 200. The bulk of staff, 133 in total, will be employed in field and direct services and will comprise child protection caseworkers; psychologists; placement and education officers; staff who support foster carers, who are an important part of the department’s work; and additional senior team leader positions. We have also been looking at the importance of taking action to address staff workload issues. It is a big issue in the department. We are expanding the department’s duty of care unit, which will centralise the investigation of allegations of abuse of children in care. I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
I also want to highlight the fact that this budget delivers staff on the ground; that is, there are people in the field addressing the important issues of child protection in our community. This budget sees a huge boost to the staffing of the department since this government came to office in 2001. This represents a 29 per cent increase in staffing numbers over this period of government. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of feeling into it. Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : This government is committed to ensuring the protection of children and families. That is our highest priority and that is reflected in this massive boost in the budget for its development. Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
Mr T. Buswell : Put a bit of oomph into your clothes. The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
The SPEAKER : I mention to the member for Vasse that although he thinks he has the opportunity to speak during every question as often as he likes and as loud as he likes, he does not. I remind him of that again.
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