More men needed in Child Safety
Published Monday, 13 November, 2006 at 10:59 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle wants more men working in the Department of Child Safety, especially on the frontline.
“The figures show that we are way out of balance with very many more women than men on the staff. We need more gender balance in the workforce for a variety of good reasons. What we need, I think, is the ‘blokification’ of the Department of Child Safety," Ms Boyle, a former Minister for Women, said.
The Child Safety Department presently has more than 2200 full time equivalent employees - 85% of which are women.
“It’s good that 83% of our staff are front line field staff. Front line workers include Child Safety officers (who go to people’s homes to check on children), Child Safety Support officers, local team leaders, senior practitioners and alternative care workers.
"But of the 834 Child Safety Officers, 725 are women (87%) and 109 men (13%). (Figures as at 26 October 2006)
“There is a public perception that most Child Safety Officers are young, white, female social workers - and this is true. Don't mistake me - I appreciate the excellent work our current staff do, but a greater diversity of skills and backgrounds and more gender balance would be beneficial.
“A lot of the parents and family members that Child Safety Officers deal with are men.
“It is a sad fact that of those parents who abuse alcohol, are violent in the home or are perpetrators of sexual abuse, the majority are men.
“It will send a different and, I believe, a stronger message if men as much as women investigate and act on notifications of child abuse. It is a different thing for a man to account to another man eyeball to eyeball," Ms Boyle said.
Aside from attracting more men Ms Boyle also wants to widen the skills base of the department.
“In setting up the Child Safety Department it has been appropriate to focus on people with qualifications in social work, human services or behavioural sciences.
“However, I think it is now time to look at a broader range of work backgrounds.
“Adding people with experience in education, health, policing and management to the mix would enrich the Department.
“We are already working on this. For instance teachers, nurses and others can complete a short bridging course to qualify as a Child Safety Officer.
“More men and a wider skills base would create a better workforce and add to our credibility in the community,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
“The figures show that we are way out of balance with very many more women than men on the staff. We need more gender balance in the workforce for a variety of good reasons. What we need, I think, is the ‘blokification’ of the Department of Child Safety," Ms Boyle, a former Minister for Women, said.
The Child Safety Department presently has more than 2200 full time equivalent employees - 85% of which are women.
“It’s good that 83% of our staff are front line field staff. Front line workers include Child Safety officers (who go to people’s homes to check on children), Child Safety Support officers, local team leaders, senior practitioners and alternative care workers.
"But of the 834 Child Safety Officers, 725 are women (87%) and 109 men (13%). (Figures as at 26 October 2006)
“There is a public perception that most Child Safety Officers are young, white, female social workers - and this is true. Don't mistake me - I appreciate the excellent work our current staff do, but a greater diversity of skills and backgrounds and more gender balance would be beneficial.
“A lot of the parents and family members that Child Safety Officers deal with are men.
“It is a sad fact that of those parents who abuse alcohol, are violent in the home or are perpetrators of sexual abuse, the majority are men.
“It will send a different and, I believe, a stronger message if men as much as women investigate and act on notifications of child abuse. It is a different thing for a man to account to another man eyeball to eyeball," Ms Boyle said.
Aside from attracting more men Ms Boyle also wants to widen the skills base of the department.
“In setting up the Child Safety Department it has been appropriate to focus on people with qualifications in social work, human services or behavioural sciences.
“However, I think it is now time to look at a broader range of work backgrounds.
“Adding people with experience in education, health, policing and management to the mix would enrich the Department.
“We are already working on this. For instance teachers, nurses and others can complete a short bridging course to qualify as a Child Safety Officer.
“More men and a wider skills base would create a better workforce and add to our credibility in the community,” Ms Boyle said.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477