❓ Question regarding cuts to parenting support programs and the reallocation of funds to the non-profit sector. The Minister confirms the cuts, citing competition with the non-profit sector and declining usage of government services, while announcing increased funding to the sector.
AnsweredQoN 331Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS
331. Ms S.F.
McGURK to the Minister for Community Services:
I
refer to the announced cutting of parenting support programs, including the
reported abolition of 60 staff who have to date been providing practical
support to WA families with parenting advice.
(1) Is it true that the minister said that
government programs were operating in competition with the community services
sector?
(2) If this is the case, will the minister
guarantee that all money saved from cutting those programs will go directly to
the non-profit community sector so that parenting advice is still available?
331. Ms S.F.
McGURK to the Minister for Community Services:
I
refer to the announced cutting of parenting support programs, including the
reported abolition of 60 staff who have to date been providing practical
support to WA families with parenting advice.
(1) Is it true that the minister said that
government programs were operating in competition with the community services
sector?
(2) If this is the case, will the minister
guarantee that all money saved from cutting those programs will go directly to
the non-profit community sector so that parenting advice is still available?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I thank the member for Fremantle
for her question. Yes, correct—Parenting WA is a great program helping
to support parenting. Quick research across shows that currently there are 1 391
listings for parenting program courses offered throughout Western Australia.
Parenting WA, which is funded by the state government, is in competition with
the non-profit sector, which is delivering those services as well. Patronage of
Parenting WA services has declined. Face-to-face contact has declined by 54 per
cent. Calls to the Parenting WA Line have declined by 30 per cent since 2011–12.
Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : In real numbers, the parenting line received 8 641 calls in 2014–15,
which is 3 500 fewer than were made in 2011–12. What we are noticing
more and more is that it is far better to have parenting services in the —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : It is important that we have parenting services in the suburbs and the
towns where people are.
Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : One of the key issues here is that the non-profit sector can do this so
much better. In answer to the question, member, as part of the government's
ongoing commitment, we are supporting parenting with an additional $3.5 million
to be invested into the sector over four years, bringing the total investment
into that sector from the department to $5.9 million per annum.
Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : More importantly, we are going to set up a centre of parent excellence.
That was a recommendation from the Commissioner for Children and Young People,
and we are working together to make sure that we can support parents. But the
face-to-face service, the ongoing support for parents, will be taken on by the
non-profit sector. We have been very well supported by the Western Australian
Council of Social Service, Ngala and a few other of those non-government
agencies. They can do a far better service. The days of government in the
sector competing with the non-profit sector delivering services are a bygone
era. From a government perspective, we are getting out into the community a better
quality of service. There are over 1 300 parenting services and we will add to
them with $3.5 million.
for her question. Yes, correct—Parenting WA is a great program helping
to support parenting. Quick research across shows that currently there are 1 391
listings for parenting program courses offered throughout Western Australia.
Parenting WA, which is funded by the state government, is in competition with
the non-profit sector, which is delivering those services as well. Patronage of
Parenting WA services has declined. Face-to-face contact has declined by 54 per
cent. Calls to the Parenting WA Line have declined by 30 per cent since 2011–12.
Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : In real numbers, the parenting line received 8 641 calls in 2014–15,
which is 3 500 fewer than were made in 2011–12. What we are noticing
more and more is that it is far better to have parenting services in the —
Ms J.M. Freeman interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Mirrabooka, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : It is important that we have parenting services in the suburbs and the
towns where people are.
Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : One of the key issues here is that the non-profit sector can do this so
much better. In answer to the question, member, as part of the government's
ongoing commitment, we are supporting parenting with an additional $3.5 million
to be invested into the sector over four years, bringing the total investment
into that sector from the department to $5.9 million per annum.
Ms S.F. McGurk interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for Fremantle!
Mr A.J. SIMPSON : More importantly, we are going to set up a centre of parent excellence.
That was a recommendation from the Commissioner for Children and Young People,
and we are working together to make sure that we can support parents. But the
face-to-face service, the ongoing support for parents, will be taken on by the
non-profit sector. We have been very well supported by the Western Australian
Council of Social Service, Ngala and a few other of those non-government
agencies. They can do a far better service. The days of government in the
sector competing with the non-profit sector delivering services are a bygone
era. From a government perspective, we are getting out into the community a better
quality of service. There are over 1 300 parenting services and we will add to
them with $3.5 million.
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