Child Safety Minister developing stronger partnerships to enhance child safety

Child Safety Minister developing stronger partnerships to enhance child safety

Stronger partnerships between government and community organisations are ensuring the on-going protection and rehabilitation of Queensland’s vulnerable children, says Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech.

Minister Keech today met with the new CEO of the Abused Child Trust (ACT), Len Bytheway, at her Ministerial office in Brisbane.

Mrs Keech says that the rehabilitation of children in care has been further enhanced thanks to the appointment of Mr Bytheway.

“I was delighted to be able to meet with Mr Bytheway to ensure my Department has open lines of communication with the Abused Child Trust, we are focussed on developing stronger partnerships with all organisations that are helping to protect children.” said Mrs Keech.

“By developing stronger partnerships, where all organisations actively work together, we can ensure our resources are enhanced and that every dollar spent is a dollar utilised in providing all supports possible to children in care.”

The Abused Child Trust is an independent community-based not-for-profit organisation that provides counselling services to children aged 0-18 years, and their families, who are all involved in the cycle of child abuse and neglect.

These counselling and intervention services aim to improve the individual therapeutic and behavioural needs arising from personal experiences of harm, abuse or neglect.

“These services contribute to the overall stability of a child in their out-of-home care arrangements and are crucial to the child’s future well being.” Mrs Keech said.

“It is vital that I and my department work in close consultation with other organisations that are dedicated to the protection of children.

“By combining all of our resources and abilities in stronger partnerships we improve the lives and safety of our children, and that’s what this meeting, and all of our organisations are all about.”

Mrs Keech says the Department of Child Safety’s funding of the ACT, to the tune of $1,124,566 per year, is a vital element to the stability of children in care.

“Mr Bytheway brings a vast amount of experience to this role and I look forward to working with him and the ACT in ensuring that children in care receive the best support possible.”

ENDS

Media Contact: Matt Hyde 3235 9236