15 August 2022

Roger Jaensch, Minister for Education, Children and Youth

New initiatives help bolster Child Safety workforce

The safety of children and young people is a priority for the Tasmanian Liberal Government and we are taking action to support those who are most at risk.

Our Government recognises the important and challenging role played by our Child Safety staff and we thank them for their efforts to protect and improve the lives of the most vulnerable Tasmanians.

We have increased Child Safety staffing by about 40 per cent since 2014 and, as part of the 2022-23 budget, we committed a further $5.4 million for an additional 10 FTEs to be added to the Child Safety workforce around the state.

Despite these significant investments, challenges remain, particularly in the recruitment and retention of staff in a tight market for allied health professionals.  

Today, I am pleased to advise that following a successful recruitment campaign, 16 Child Safety Officer appointments have been made, with staff to begin in August. Another round of recruitment will now be immediately progressed to address remaining vacancies.  

Our Government recognises the need for ongoing investment to further bolster the Child Safety workforce and that is why we are progressing a number of initiatives:

• We are approving recruitment of additional relief positions above the current full staff complement to act as backfill when there are vacancies, or when staff need to take leave;
• New Case Coordinator positions will be recruited to ease administrative workload for Child Safety Officers, allowing them to focus on their core responsibilities to children and families;
• As part of the transition to the new Department of Education, Children and Young People, we will invest $2 million in new tablets and associated equipment for child safety officers, as well as upgrades to video conference facilities across the state; and
• An enhanced student pathway is being developed with the University of Tasmania to enable fourth year social work students to be employed as case aids during their final placement.

Along with new investments, we continue to progress our Strong Families, Safe Kids reforms of the Child Safety System which are already delivering significant results with more support being provided to families at risk, fewer children referred for statutory intervention and fewer children entering Out of Home care.

We know there is always more to do and we will continue to consult with staff about what they need to continue to do their difficult, but important work supporting families and keeping Tasmanian children and young people safe.

More Media Releases from Roger Jaensch

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