Latest child safety data shows first signs of improvement in three years

Strictly embargoed 12.15am January 24, 2017

For the first time in almost three years, the latest child safety data is showing signs of improvement in Queensland.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman said the new September 2016 quarterly data shows clear improvements on investigation timelines, which are up three per cent from the June quarter, despite an increase in notifications.

“What this data tells us is the department is delivering more timely responses to child safety cases – we are beginning to turn the corner on these performance measures despite being busier than ever,” she said.

“The September 2016 data clearly reflects the growing complexities faced by families who come to the department, including mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and criminal justice history,” she said.

Turning the corner

“The data shows improvements in commencing and completing investigations, and this is happening at a time when notifications are also increasing, with around 1200 more than the same time last year.

“I am pleased investigation timelines have improved by three per cent compared to the last quarter, despite staff working through more notifications.

“In particular, 89 per cent of investigations needing to be started within 24 hours – are starting on time.

“It is important to note our efforts to lift response times are starting to pay off, with a five percentage point improvement from 2015-16 figures for cases that need to be started within 10 days.

“We have more intakes than before, and we are completing more investigations than in previous years.”

Investment in early intervention

Data from the Productivity Commission’s 2017 Report on Government Services (ROGS) also released today shows the Queensland Government’s growing investment in early intervention and prevention is having an impact.

“The work we are doing to better support families is helping break the cycle of children being re-abused,” she said.

“What it shows is the number of children re-entering the child protection system in Queensland has fallen from 19 per cent to 17.1 per cent over five years.

“This is an early positive sign that Queensland families are getting the support they need, when they need it, and this is great news for keeping children safe and supported at home.  We have committed $152 million in 2016-17 to family support services.”

In another positive sign for the child protection system, both the September 2016 quarterly data and the ROGS data show that for children who are unable to remain living at home, more had been placed in kinship care than in previous quarters.

ROGS data

Ms Fentiman said there was always work to be done to improve child safety, and much of the ROGS data did not provide an accurate picture of Queensland’s child safety system due to differences in the way investigations are carried out between different states and territories.

“Here in Queensland we investigate every notification - we are the only state to do this.” she said.

“Queensland is also different because we do not record that an investigation has commenced until we have physically sighted the child.

“Before this time, child safety workers will undertake multiple actions to support the investigation process, including liaising with other agencies like health and police, or obtaining interstate records. It doesn’t mean that no action was taken.”

She said the cost per notification in Queensland was not comparable to other states and territories because it didn’t include all the matters dealt with by child safety workers, only those that reach the threshold for investigation.

“Our own performance data, published quarterly, presents a much more accurate and relevant picture of the state of our child safety system,” Ms Fentiman said.

Play Your Part

The September 2016 quarterly data shows more and more every day Queenslanders are reporting concerns about the safety of children to authorities, with an increase in the number of notifications received and investigations carried out by Child Safety Services.

“The September quarterly data, shows that the ‘play your part’ message is not just being heard, but also being acted upon, with more neighbours, friends and family members reporting suspected abuse and harm than the three months prior,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Our non-government partners are also continuing to provide a safety net for vulnerable children by reporting concerns about abuse or neglect to the department.”

Ms Fentiman said more and more Queenslanders were putting their hand up to play their part by becoming foster carers. The data shows there are 116 more carer families.

“I’d encourage anyone who is in a position to open their hearts and their homes to our most vulnerable children to do so,” she said.

The future

Ms Fentiman said it was clear the strong focus on investigation and assessment was having a positive impact on child safety in Queensland, with an extra 129 staff and the rollout of specialist investigation and assessment teams, having a positive impact.

“All of the improvements we are seeing have happened before new staff hit the ground,” she said.

“The extra 129 frontline and frontline support staff we are hiring will go a long way towards further improvements.

“To date, 100 of the 129 additional staff are on the ground, with the remaining positions to be filled by March.”

The quarterly data is published online at:https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/about-us/our-performance

Media contact: 0400 774 303