Continuing improvement across Child Safety system despite growing use of ice

Key investments to improve the Child Safety system are having an impact, but ice continues to devastate families and harm children, according to the latest Child Safety data.

Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman, releasing the new figures as part of the June 2017 quarterly data report, said they showed a fourth consecutive quarter of improved performance in the Child Safety system.

The data shows the Palaszczuk Government’s hiring of 129 new child safety staff last financial year is having a clear impact right across Queensland and is working to keep more vulnerable children safe.

Ms Fentiman said 93 per cent of notifications had an investigation commenced in 2016–17, the highest proportion at any time since this data was first measured in 2009/10.

“For the fourth consecutive quarter we are seeing more of our most urgent cases within the target timeframe, with 91 per cent seen within 24 hours, up from 89 per cent last year,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Here in Queensland we have a very high benchmark with our 24 hour, 5 day and 10 day response timeframes, and require Child Safety staff to sight children before any investigation can be recorded as having started.”

In the year to June 2017 the proportion of 5 day investigations started on time rose 4 per cent and the proportion of all 10 day investigations started on time rose 5 per cent.

The number of investigations commenced is up 525 compared to the previous year.

These improvements come in the wake of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to adding more than 400 new Child Safety staff over the last two State Budgets, the biggest investment in frontline staff in well over a decade.

“We have restored frontline Child Safety services after the devastating cuts of the LNP and we are making massive progress with our $200 million commitment to increase the Child Safety workforce,” Ms Fentiman said.

“The data shows our investment in staff is working, with Child Safety officer caseloads remaining below 19 for the third quarter in a row despite an increase in demand.

“Our amazing Child Safety staff are out there saving lives every day and we are backing them with the tools and support they need to get the job done.”

Consistent improvement despite rising tide of ice use

The fourth consecutive quarter of improvement in Child Safety performance comes despite the ongoing rise of ice use among parents.

In the year to June 2017 the number of children who needed protection where one or both parents were using ice increased 5.5 per cent compared to the year to December 2016.

The latest data shows that:

• One in three children coming into care during the 12 months to June 2017 had a parent with a current or previous methamphetamine use recorded.

• Children whose parents used ice were more likely than other children who came into care to have a parent with a criminal history, have a parent with a mental illness, have experienced domestic and family violence in the past year and be homeless.

• Where methamphetamine use was recorded, 47 per cent of children suffered from neglect as the most serious harm type, 37 per cent experienced emotional harm, 15 per cent had experienced physical harm and one per cent had experienced sexual abuse. 

• 56 per cent of these children were aged under five. 

Families facing more complex issues

Ms Fentiman said improvement had continued for the fourth consecutive quarter despite the increasing complexity of the issues facing vulnerable families.

“Drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and Domestic and Family Violence have all increased as risk factors where children were found to have been harmed, compared to four years ago.” Ms Fentiman said.

“This reflects the increasingly complex issues families and Child Safety staff are grappling with day-in day-out.

“Issues including domestic and family violence and ice use continue to be prevalent in too many homes.

“These are some of our most vulnerable children and they need the community to speak up for them,” Ms Fentiman said.

New data reveals family support measures are getting results

Ms Fentiman said the amount of data included in the quarterly release had been further expanded, with figures on family support services included for the first time.

Ms Fentiman was pleased to see thousands of families reaching out to Family and Child Connect (FaCC) services for in-home, hands-on support.

Since January 2015, 17 Family and Child Connect (FaCC) services have been rolled out across Queensland, receiving 39,000 enquiries, with 25,126 of these received in 2016‑17.

“Almost 5000 enquiries in 2016-17 came from parents themselves – I’m thrilled to see parents who realise they need help are reaching out and getting the assistance they need,” Ms Fentiman said.

Ms Fentiman said the June quarterly data showed the number of children subject to a child protection order had increased slightly.

The latest data shows more than 1300 extra intakes were received from concerned family, friends and neighbours, compared to 30 June 2016, and more than 2000 extra intakes were received from school staff.

“Everyone has a role to play in keeping Queensland’s most vulnerable children safe, and this is reflected in the June data,” Ms Fentiman said.

Ms Fentiman said she expected continued improvement in the Child Safety system as almost 300 new staff are employed over the next two financial years.

The latest Child Safety data can be found on this page: https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/about-us/our-performance

ENDS

Media Contact:          Ron Goodman            0427 781 920