Published Tuesday, 29 May, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Minister for Child Safety
The Honourable Desley Boyle
New child protection centres open in Ipswich
Two new child safety centres in Ipswich will help to increase child protection services for children and young people at risk of abuse and neglect in Queensland’s growing south-east region.
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle officially opened the new centres today with Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan and Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt.
“Child safety service centres are the bases for frontline staff, Child Safety Officers and their team leaders - who deal directly with children who have been or are at risk of being abused or neglected,” Ms Nolan said.
“When parents can’t - or won’t - keep their children safe, Child Safety Officers work in partnership with foster carers and the community to protect them. Their work is so important,” she said.
Mr Wendt said: “The two new centres in Brisbane Street were purpose-built for the Department of Child Safety at a cost of $5 million and replace the Ipswich Child Safety Service Centre which operated from the Court House Building in East Street.
“The Department spent $1.66 million for the fit-out of the new centres, which include play areas with toys to help children feel more at ease and a dedicated room for foster and kinship carers where they can meet among themselves.
“There is more room for staff to do their important work, as well as a new, modern and secure reception area,” he said.
Ms Boyle said the Ipswich Child Safety Service Centre - which previously serviced both Ipswich north and south areas - recorded 1365 notifications of harm or risk of harm to children and young people in the past financial year.
Of those notifications there were 473 confirmed cases of harm or risk of harm in the Ipswich district, she said.
“It is absolutely dreadful that so many children are being hurt,” Ms Boyle said.
“Child protection is everyone’s business and in Ipswich, it is good to see Child Safety staff working with foster and kinship carers, community agencies and other government departments to help these children to heal,” Ms Boyle said.
“There are more than 160 foster and kinship carers in the Ipswich area and they do a tremendous job, but we really do need more,” Ms Boyle said.
Foster carers receive a fortnightly allowance to help cover the costs of raising a child. Depending on the age of the children, these are from $370-$434.
To become a foster carer, phone 1300 550 877.
The Ipswich centres are part of the Department of Child Safety’s $30 million plan to improve offices across Queensland.
New child safety service centres which have recently become operational include Edmonton, Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Atherton and Redcliffe.
New child safety service centres are expected to open in the next three months at Loganlea, Caloundra and Nerang, as well as branch offices at Murgon and Weipa.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
29 May 2007
Child Safety Minister Desley Boyle officially opened the new centres today with Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan and Member for Ipswich West Wayne Wendt.
“Child safety service centres are the bases for frontline staff, Child Safety Officers and their team leaders - who deal directly with children who have been or are at risk of being abused or neglected,” Ms Nolan said.
“When parents can’t - or won’t - keep their children safe, Child Safety Officers work in partnership with foster carers and the community to protect them. Their work is so important,” she said.
Mr Wendt said: “The two new centres in Brisbane Street were purpose-built for the Department of Child Safety at a cost of $5 million and replace the Ipswich Child Safety Service Centre which operated from the Court House Building in East Street.
“The Department spent $1.66 million for the fit-out of the new centres, which include play areas with toys to help children feel more at ease and a dedicated room for foster and kinship carers where they can meet among themselves.
“There is more room for staff to do their important work, as well as a new, modern and secure reception area,” he said.
Ms Boyle said the Ipswich Child Safety Service Centre - which previously serviced both Ipswich north and south areas - recorded 1365 notifications of harm or risk of harm to children and young people in the past financial year.
Of those notifications there were 473 confirmed cases of harm or risk of harm in the Ipswich district, she said.
“It is absolutely dreadful that so many children are being hurt,” Ms Boyle said.
“Child protection is everyone’s business and in Ipswich, it is good to see Child Safety staff working with foster and kinship carers, community agencies and other government departments to help these children to heal,” Ms Boyle said.
“There are more than 160 foster and kinship carers in the Ipswich area and they do a tremendous job, but we really do need more,” Ms Boyle said.
Foster carers receive a fortnightly allowance to help cover the costs of raising a child. Depending on the age of the children, these are from $370-$434.
To become a foster carer, phone 1300 550 877.
The Ipswich centres are part of the Department of Child Safety’s $30 million plan to improve offices across Queensland.
New child safety service centres which have recently become operational include Edmonton, Toowoomba, Beaudesert, Atherton and Redcliffe.
New child safety service centres are expected to open in the next three months at Loganlea, Caloundra and Nerang, as well as branch offices at Murgon and Weipa.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 7477
29 May 2007