❓ Ms. Beard questions the Minister for Child Protection about under-resourcing in the Department of Communities following the tragic death of a child in care. The Minister rejects the premise, defends the government's investment, and emphasizes the priority of child safety.
AnsweredQoN 251Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
YOUTH SUICIDE —
CHILDREN IN CARE
251. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Child Protection:
Madam Speaker, I would ask you to
allow me to pass on my condolences to the family, friends and communities on
the tragic loss of the young boy earlier in the week.
I refer to that tragic loss while
under the care of the Department of Communities, highlighting systemic issues
relating to overwhelming case loads on child protection workers and a lack of dedicated
caseworkers and the structural complexities that have seemingly followed the
department's merger, which has evidently stretched its resources thin.
(1) What immediate steps is the minister taking to
address the apparent under-resourcing of the Department of Communities
to ensure that this does not occur again?
(2) How does she
plan to rectify the systemic failings that have come to light, ensuring that
every child in state care receives the comprehensive protection they rightfully
deserve?
CHILDREN IN CARE
251. Ms M. BEARD to the Minister for Child Protection:
Madam Speaker, I would ask you to
allow me to pass on my condolences to the family, friends and communities on
the tragic loss of the young boy earlier in the week.
I refer to that tragic loss while
under the care of the Department of Communities, highlighting systemic issues
relating to overwhelming case loads on child protection workers and a lack of dedicated
caseworkers and the structural complexities that have seemingly followed the
department's merger, which has evidently stretched its resources thin.
(1) What immediate steps is the minister taking to
address the apparent under-resourcing of the Department of Communities
to ensure that this does not occur again?
(2) How does she
plan to rectify the systemic failings that have come to light, ensuring that
every child in state care receives the comprehensive protection they rightfully
deserve?
AnswerView source ↗
I want to begin by extending my
sympathies to the family and loved ones of the young child who died under the
tragic circumstances that the member opposite referred to. The death of any
child under any circumstances, particularly in the circumstances that we now
know of, is absolutely tragic and devastating for the families, loved ones,
first responders and all people who have come into contact with the young
person and family.
(1)–(2) I do not accept the premise of the member's
very long question, and I would just caution her at this time to display
a little bit of sensitivity around this issue. I can reassure her that, as
Minister for Child Protection, my number one priority is the safety and
wellbeing of children. Every day I get up and that is my priority, and every
day I get up and enforce the priority of the Cook Labor government, which has
as its priority the safety and wellbeing of
children. I am absolutely proud of the investment that this government has made in the child protection system since we have come to government, with an
increase of over 30 per cent in the number of FTE child protection workers, who
do an incredible job.
Since I have been in this
portfolio, I have made it a priority to meet with hundreds of child protection
workers right around the state and to recognise the important work that they do
in fundamentally challenging and complex
circumstances, but also, importantly, to acknowledge and celebrate the
important work that they do each and every day in supporting vulnerable
children and families throughout our state. I will continue on that path. I will
continue to support the work that child protection workers do each and every
day in supporting the thousands of children who need our help.
sympathies to the family and loved ones of the young child who died under the
tragic circumstances that the member opposite referred to. The death of any
child under any circumstances, particularly in the circumstances that we now
know of, is absolutely tragic and devastating for the families, loved ones,
first responders and all people who have come into contact with the young
person and family.
(1)–(2) I do not accept the premise of the member's
very long question, and I would just caution her at this time to display
a little bit of sensitivity around this issue. I can reassure her that, as
Minister for Child Protection, my number one priority is the safety and
wellbeing of children. Every day I get up and that is my priority, and every
day I get up and enforce the priority of the Cook Labor government, which has
as its priority the safety and wellbeing of
children. I am absolutely proud of the investment that this government has made in the child protection system since we have come to government, with an
increase of over 30 per cent in the number of FTE child protection workers, who
do an incredible job.
Since I have been in this
portfolio, I have made it a priority to meet with hundreds of child protection
workers right around the state and to recognise the important work that they do
in fundamentally challenging and complex
circumstances, but also, importantly, to acknowledge and celebrate the
important work that they do each and every day in supporting vulnerable
children and families throughout our state. I will continue on that path. I will
continue to support the work that child protection workers do each and every
day in supporting the thousands of children who need our help.
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