Bigger, better child protection centre for Atherton
Published Monday, 12 February, 2007 at 11:39 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Atherton’s new, purpose-built Child Safety Service Centre will help boost protection of the area’s vulnerable children and young people.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle officially opened the new centre at 34 Mabel St today after attending the Beattie Government’s 100th Community Cabinet.
“Child safety service centres are the bases for our frontline staff who deal directly with children who have been or are at risk of being abused or neglected,” Ms Boyle said.
“The new centre has a play area with toys to help children feel more at ease and a dedicated room for foster and kinship carers where they can meet among themselves,” she said.
“There are also meeting rooms, off-street parking and a new, modern and secure reception area.”
Ms Boyle said the new centre was developed by Mareeba business Sibi Girgenti Holdings Pty Ltd and built by Mareeba’s Unison Homes.
“The State Government has spent $681,000 on the fit-out to make children, parents and foster carers feel comfortable,” she said.
Ms Boyle said feedback from staff showed they were settling in well.
“Staff numbers in the Atherton office have almost doubled, from 11 to 20 in the past two years, and the new centre has room for further growth.”
“Our Atherton team includes four Indigenous staff and that is very important.
“There are over 100 children in care in the Atherton area and 67 per cent of those are Indigenous.
“Indigenous children, parents and foster carers are often more comfortable dealing with Indigenous child safety workers and we are always trying to boost their number.
“One of our Indigenous officers used to be a teacher and received a scholarship from the Department to do the extra study to become a Child Safety Officer.
“This week I’ve announced a further 15 scholarships – one which goes to a woman from Herberton and another to a woman at Ravenshoe.”
Ms Boyle said in 2005-06, the Atherton Child Safety Service Centre recorded 450 notifications of harm, or risk of harm, to children and young people.
“After investigations, harm or risk of harm was confirmed in 187 cases.
“It’s disappointing that so many parents are not providing their children with a safe and loving home.
“The district has 60 foster carers and they do a terrific job but, in Atherton, as in the rest of the state, we need more.” Ms Boyle said.
To become a foster carer, phone 1300 550 877.
The new Atherton Child Safety Service Centre is part of the new Department of Child Safety’s $30 million plan to improve facilities across Queensland.
Staff moved out of the old Atherton centre in Main St in December.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
12 February 2007
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle officially opened the new centre at 34 Mabel St today after attending the Beattie Government’s 100th Community Cabinet.
“Child safety service centres are the bases for our frontline staff who deal directly with children who have been or are at risk of being abused or neglected,” Ms Boyle said.
“The new centre has a play area with toys to help children feel more at ease and a dedicated room for foster and kinship carers where they can meet among themselves,” she said.
“There are also meeting rooms, off-street parking and a new, modern and secure reception area.”
Ms Boyle said the new centre was developed by Mareeba business Sibi Girgenti Holdings Pty Ltd and built by Mareeba’s Unison Homes.
“The State Government has spent $681,000 on the fit-out to make children, parents and foster carers feel comfortable,” she said.
Ms Boyle said feedback from staff showed they were settling in well.
“Staff numbers in the Atherton office have almost doubled, from 11 to 20 in the past two years, and the new centre has room for further growth.”
“Our Atherton team includes four Indigenous staff and that is very important.
“There are over 100 children in care in the Atherton area and 67 per cent of those are Indigenous.
“Indigenous children, parents and foster carers are often more comfortable dealing with Indigenous child safety workers and we are always trying to boost their number.
“One of our Indigenous officers used to be a teacher and received a scholarship from the Department to do the extra study to become a Child Safety Officer.
“This week I’ve announced a further 15 scholarships – one which goes to a woman from Herberton and another to a woman at Ravenshoe.”
Ms Boyle said in 2005-06, the Atherton Child Safety Service Centre recorded 450 notifications of harm, or risk of harm, to children and young people.
“After investigations, harm or risk of harm was confirmed in 187 cases.
“It’s disappointing that so many parents are not providing their children with a safe and loving home.
“The district has 60 foster carers and they do a terrific job but, in Atherton, as in the rest of the state, we need more.” Ms Boyle said.
To become a foster carer, phone 1300 550 877.
The new Atherton Child Safety Service Centre is part of the new Department of Child Safety’s $30 million plan to improve facilities across Queensland.
Staff moved out of the old Atherton centre in Main St in December.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
12 February 2007