7 June 2017

, Minister for Human Services

Strengthening the safety and capability of our Child Safety Service

The Child Safety Service (CSS) is fundamental to supporting families in need and keeping our vulnerable children safe, which is why CSS staff need a safe and contemporary working environment.

Following the recommendations of the Strong Families, Safe Kids report, the Hodgman Liberal Government is investing in a range of actions to strengthen the capability and safety of CSS staff.

• Exempting Government-plated vehicles from the whole-of-government policy for private plated vehicles, as visiting homes in G-plated cars increases visibility of CSS staff and can create anxiety for families. To date, 14 child safety service vehicles - out of a total of 80 vehicles - have been changed, and others will be replaced as they reach the end of their service life.  It is expected that all relevant vehicles will transition to privately plated vehicles by the end of 2017-18;
• The 2017-18 Budget includes $6.3 million for a new Integrated Client Information System (ICIS), which will enable Children and Youth Services (CYS) to make faster and more accurate decisions about vulnerable children and young people. CYS, like many other human services organisations, is changing to ensure better communication not only within the department but also with other carers, community sector organisations, services and Agencies such as health, mental health, drug and alcohol, police, justice, and education.  This integrated system is expected to improve client outcomes, increase service delivery efficiency and improve staff effectiveness;
• Trialling mobile computing options for the Child Safety Service, to find the right computer systems for our staff that are suitable for both in the office (desk-top) and on the road (mobile). If suitable, these or similar devices will be progressively rolled out to Child Safety Officers as existing equipment reaches the end of its service life.

These are in addition to the recruitment of 31 new child safety service positions announced as part of Strong Families, Safe Kids.

As a Government we have got the Budget back on track and can invest the dividends of that hard work into essential services, like Tasmania’s children and families in need.

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