Improved child protection services for Caloundra

At risk children in Caloundra and surrounding areas will be safer from today, thanks to the opening of a new Child Safety Service Centre (CSSC), says Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech.

The centre will accommodate up to 45 staff and houses the department’s child protection services for children, young people, families, and foster and kinship carers for Caloundra, Kawana, Maleny, Beerwah and the Glasshouse hinterland.

“Caloundra’s new Child Safety Service Centre has greatly increased the department’s ability to help local vulnerable children and young people,” Mrs Keech said.

“Every day Department of Child Safety staff are confronted with a challenging range of child protection matters and we are committed to providing them with the support, training and resources they need to deliver a high quality service.”

Last year there were 1233 notifications of harm or risk of harm to children and young people within the service centre’s district.

Of those notifications, there were 461 confirmed cases of harm or risk of harm.

“This new centre helps ensure all Coast parents and vulnerable children can access assistance, delivering on the government’s commitment to improve the protection of our children,” said Mrs Keech.

“Staff at the centre have for many years shared premises with the Sunshine Coast North Child Safety Service Centre in Maroochydore.

“Moving to the new centre has hugely boosted staff morale and the Government considers the $810,844 investment in this project money well spent."

Mrs Keech said the new centre was part of the Department of Child Safety’s $30 million plan to improve offices across Queensland.

Features of the centre include a children’s play area, a dedicated foster and kinship carers’ room, family and meeting rooms, baby change facilities, off street parking and a modern and secure reception area.

Caloundra CSSC’s Manager Chris Campbell said having a centre in Caloundra also enhanced the department’s ability to build closer relationships with local government and community agencies.

“The Sunshine Coast Evolve Interagency Services team, consisting of Department of Child Safety, Queensland Health, Disability Services Queensland and Education Queensland staff can now meet regularly at the Caloundra CSSC,” he said.

“This especially helps some young people with high needs gain better access to a range of services.

“Evolve is giving them a fresh chance by bringing together government and community agencies on the Coast to help children with complex or extreme needs and includes mental health, behavioural support and education services.”

Mr Campbell said the centre also works closely with the CREATE Foundation to improve the lives of young people in care on the Sunshine Coast.

“We have just started a joint project with CREATE to encourage young people in care to develop skills such as goal setting, public speaking, personal presentation and leadership,” Mr Campbell said.

Media Contact: Matthew Hyde 3235 9236