$12.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

ROGER JAENSCH MP, Minister for Education, Children and Youth

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a priority for the Rockliff Liberal Government.

Every dollar in the 2023-24 State Budget is targeted towards getting things done and building a strong economy and a safe, caring community.

The Rockliff Liberal Government has committed $12.6 million over the forward estimates to provide continued care, safety and stability to children, young people and families in our Child Safety System as well as support for our valued and hardworking Child Safety Service staff.

Education, Children and Youth Minister, Roger Jaensch, said this carefully considered Budget ensures targeted and considered investment to continue to build a Child Safety Service system that positively benefits children, young people and their families.

“Our Government is investing an additional $8.3 million in 2023–24 and 2024–25 to continue to support the Intensive Family Engagement Service to help children remain with their families where it is safe to do so and prevent them from entering statutory care where possible,” Minister Jaensch said.

“This continues the important work under our $51 million Strong Families Safe Kids reforms where we are now seeing more and earlier support for families at risk, fewer cases referred for statutory child safety intervention and a decrease in the rate of children and young people entering out-of-home care.”

This Budget also includes $3 million in 2024–25 to support young people exiting care to build independence skills to help stay engaged in education and learning as a pathway for improved life outcomes.

A further $1.3 million of permanent funding will also be invested in the capacity of the Child Safety Service to continue to meet increased demand.

This ongoing funding includes additional frontline workers in the Advice and Referral Line and the Child Safety Service to ensure these services are properly resourced and supported.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government is delivering targeted and considered investment to help improve the lives of Tasmanian children and young people, particularly those who come into contact with the child safety system,” Minister Jaensch said.

For more information about Department for Education, Children and Young People 2023–24 Budget initiatives, visit www.decyp.tas.gov.au.