20 year hero honoured at Child Protection Week Awards

After nearly 20 years on the front-line protecting Queensland’s abused and neglected children, Moorooka’s Leanne Scoines is being officially recognised as a community hero.

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today announced Ms Scoines has won the Child Protection Week Public Sector Award for her decades on the front-line and now at the after hours service centre.

“The Department of Child Safety’s after hours centre is a crucial component of our child protection system ensuring children are protected around the clock,” Mrs Keech said.

“20 years on the front-line and now in directly supporting those workers Ms Scoines has dedicated her life to Queensland’s children and she is a community hero.”

“The Bligh Government allocated $85,000 to community groups across Queensland so they can highlight Child Protection week.

“Through our Toward Q2 strategy the Bligh Government is helping build stronger, safer, more caring communities – principles embraced by Child Protection Week.”

A team leader at the Department of Child’s Safety’s after hours service centre, Ms Scoines is a self-confessed frontline “addict”.

“I like frontline work. I don’t have direct contact with carers and families now, but the people who work with me do and we get all sorts of calls here after hours,” Ms Scoines said.

“I’m surrounded by skilled, experienced practitioners and I get a lot of satisfaction from what we do.”

Ms Scoines and her colleagues at the after hours centre assess risks to children, monitor families, arrange support for children and carers and ensure vulnerable children are protected ---- around the clock.

Armed with three university degrees, and working on her fourth, in law, Ms Scoines sees her future in working with people who need her help.

“I have a real love for assessing situations and the immediacy of what we need to do to protect children,” she said.

Mrs Keech publicly honoured Ms Scoines and seven other child protection workers and advocates at this year’s Child Protection Week Awards at Parliament House on Thursday, September 11.

“These awards are an acknowledgment of the dedication, hard work and commitment of many individuals and organisations towards the protection of children and young people in Queensland,” Mrs Keech said.

“This year’s theme, Children See. Children Do…Make Your Influence Positive, reminds us that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect our children.

“I commend the award recipients and I hope they inspire others to work towards the safety and wellbeing of Queensland’s children and young people.”

Department of Child Safety’s Child Protection Week Awards

·Professional (non-government) – Commitment to promoting child protection issues in their capacity as a professional working in the child protection (or related) field.

Lifeline Community Centre’s Robgill Project Team: Brett Sceats, Trent Savill, Stephen Hoban and Clare Breaden

·Volunteer – Invaluable contributions made by volunteers working in government or non-government agencies.

Peter Jukes of the Pyjama Foundation

·Public Sector – Outstanding contributions to child protection at a practice, policy or service development level within the public service.

Leanne Scoines, child protection worker with Child Protection After Hours

·Regional Program – Program that operates within part of, or across, a whole region to address some aspect of child protection.

Sonia Townson, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs education officer, Bamaga

·Education Initiative – Development of an innovative approach or resource to promote child protection.

Detective Senior Sergeant Charysse Pond of Safehands

·Youth Participation – Involvement of young people in a local activity to enhance the wellbeing of children and young people.

St Francis Xavier School, Goodna

·Research Initiative – Academic research or project work that contributes to improved child protection outcomes.

Dr Maree Crawford, paediatrician, Child Advocacy Service, Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane

·Media – Recognises an article or series which highlight child protection issues.

Caroline Hutchinson, 92.7 Mix FM, Sunshine Coast Daily

For more details on Child Protection Week, visit www.cpwonline.org

Media contact: Matthew Hyde 3235 9236