Child Safety specialist team readying to land

A new frontline child safety team will be working in regions across Queensland from early next month, Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech said today.

“The team is a key component of our $12 million One Chance at Childhood program,” Ms Keech said.

“This program is designed to ensure very young children who are already in Foster or Kinship care are given that one chance at a stable and loving childhood.

“Thirty-one officers will receive specialist training before beginning their assessments of about 200 babies and toddlers aged 0 – 4 who are already in the care of the Department.

“Parents of these children will be offered intensive assistance and support to help them address the issues which caused their children to be removed in the first place.

“Departmental officers will work closely with these families to help them meet their children’s protective needs.”

Mrs Keech said parents had around one year to prove they were willing and able to provide a safe, loving home for their children if they were to return home.

If they failed to meet this target, specialist stability planning officers would cease working towards reuniting the family and would seek alternative long-term care options for the children, she said.

“Case reviews for these young children occur every three months. If at four consecutive reviews parents fail to show they are addressing the issues required to have their children returned to them, alternative plans will be made for the child’s long term care,” Mrs Keech said.

“This is about protecting the best interests of the child. Decisions will be based on what is determined to be the best outcome for each child.

“It’s important to note this is not a ‘one size fits all’ policy. In some cases it will be clear very early on that a child cannot be safely returned to their parents and that alternative long term options should be sought.

“In other cases parents must be given the chance to prove that they deserve to have that child live with them, that are committed to proper parenting and that they can provide a loving, stable, and above all, safe home for that child.

“It’s about putting the child’s safety first. Whatever decision is made must be made with the best interests of the child, not the parents, at heart.”

Mrs Keech said One Chance at Childhood was designed to stop young children ‘drifting’ in care, waiting and being damaged while their parents tried to get their act together

“Research from the US department of Health and Human services shows this can include impaired brain development – the brain becomes ‘wired’ to experience the world as hostile and uncaring,” she said.

“Many abused children develop social difficulties, have trouble trusting others, understanding their and other peoples emotions, and can find forming relationships difficult.

“Juvenile delinquency, adult criminality and drug and alcohol abuse can also result.

“That’s why it’s clear children need a stable environment from an early age, to ensure they reach their full development potential.”

The targeted program will work by funding specialist staff to intervene at three critical stages:

• When babies and toddlers enter the child protection system;
• When babies and toddlers are reunified with their parents; and
• When reunification fails and alternative homes must be found for babies and toddlers

“Intervention is the best form of prevention and this plan aims to minimise the impact of what these children have already been through,” said Mrs Keech.

"Our message to neglectful parents is absolutely clear.

"The department will offer you intensive help but if you don't get your act together then your children will get their chance for a stable future elsewhere.”

Media Contact Jo Crompton 3224 7081