NEW NERANG CENTRE BOOSTS CHILD PROTECTION FOR GOLD COAST

The Gold Coast’s newest child protection centre will help to keep local children and young people safe, Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech said today.

Speaking at the official opening of the Nerang Child Safety Service Centre (CSSC) at White Street, Mrs Keech said the Department of Child Safety offices were a welcome addition to child protection efforts in the area.

“The CSSC can accommodate 47 staff and will deliver services to an area spanning the coast’s northern growth corridor from Nerang through to Oxenford, Upper Coomera and Mount Nathan,” Mrs Keech said.

“With the opening of the centre in the heart of Nerang we have the capacity to provide local, responsive and accessible services for children and young people at risk.

“The Nerang centre has been designed to provide a modern and secure workplace for staff and clients.

“The department spent $809,610 on the office fit-out, including a children’s play area, a dedicated foster and kinship carers room, family and meeting rooms, baby change facilities and a secure reception area.”

Mrs Keech said the department was also recruiting more foster carers on the Gold Coast and would provide them with the training and support needed to carry out their important role.

“The department values foster carers and the role they play in providing a safe and stable home for children and young people whose parents are unable to provide this role.”

Mrs Keech said having a centre in Nerang had enhanced the department’s relationships with local government and community agencies.

”The real winners from the improved office accommodation are children and young people at risk and the community that supports them,” she said.

Mrs Keech said the centre has worked closely with Griffith University’s Parent Child Interaction Program since 2005.

“The centre also features an observation room to support Griffith University’s Parent Child Interaction Program.

“The room was designed to allow therapists, child protection practitioners and students to observe family interactions and to use these observations to help improve and sustain family relationships.”

Media contacts: Jo Crompton 3224 7081.