Opposition MP Stephen Dawson questions the Barnett government's decision to abolish the child-centred family support team in Bunbury, seeking details on its impact. The Minister responds, clarifying the service continues despite structural changes.

AnsweredQoN 707Legislative Council
Asked
23 October 2013
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

DEPARTMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT —
BUNBURY
707. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the Barnett government's decision to
abolish the child-centred family support team in Bunbury.
(1) How many individual contacts did the team have with
families in 2012–13?
(2) How many staff are attached to the team?
(3) Will any of the staff belonging to the team be made
redundant; and, if so, how many?
(4) Will any of the staff be redeployed; and, if so, to
where?
(5) Which agency or office will now provide early
intervention services to families in the south west?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) The
department cannot report on the number of contacts per case. However, as at 30 September
2013, there were 54 active child-centred family support cases.
(2) There are three FTEs.
(3)–(4) The staff remain
employed in the Bunbury district office.
(5) The department
continues to provide child-centred family support for families in the south
west. Child-centred family support describes a range of activities that the
department performs as part of its work under the Children and Community
Services Act 2004. There has recently been a change in the team structure
within the Bunbury office, and there is no longer a dedicated child-centred
family support team in the office; nonetheless, child-centred family support is
still provided through the various teams in the district. I am advised that the
service has not been reduced and there has been no change in the number of
active cases. It is not a requirement for each district to have a dedicated
child-centred family support team.

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