New Forest Lake centre boosts child protection

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

Mrs Keech joined with local MP Karen Struthers, Member for Algester, to officially open the Forest Lake Child Safety Service Centre (CSSC).

The CSSC at Forest Lake Boulevard can accommodate up to 33 staff and delivers services from Forest Lake to Algester, Acacia Ridge to Calamvale, Carole Park, Darra, Doolandella, Ellen Grove, Heathwood, Larapinta, Pallara, Wacol and Willawong.

“With the opening of the centre in one of Queensland’s fastest growing areas we have the capacity to provide local, responsive and accessible services for children and young people at risk,” Mrs Keech said.

“The centre, which is part of the Bligh government’s $30 million plan to improve its Child Safety offices across the state, also provides a modern and secure workplace for child protection staff.

“The Department committed $736,000 to 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.

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

Ms Struthers said the Department of Child Safety offices were a welcome addition to the fast growing area.

“Queensland’s population continues to boom and it’s vital that we continue to develop services to meet that growth,” she said.

“The Bligh Government is looking over the horizon and planning for the future, building or refurbishing new centres like this one that will help us continue to protect Queensland’s vulnerable children and young people.”

During her visit Mrs Keech honored long serving staff and foster carers for their dedication and commitment to protecting the region’s vulnerable children and young people.

She said Child Safety staff deserve to be acknowledged with awards and to be treated like true community heroes that should be applauded and acknowledged alongside police officers, fire fighters, doctors and ambulance officers.

"These are people who have dedicated their lives to helping vulnerable children and young people," she said.

"They face complex and challenging situations every day and handle these situations with professionalism knowing they are making a difference to the lives of children and young people.”

At a lunch in Middle Park to thank local foster and kinship carers, Mrs Keech continued the call for more people to consider becoming foster or kinship carers.

Inala MP Anastacia Palaszczuk and Mt Ommaney MP Julie Attwood also attended the events to show their support for carers in their areas linked to the Forest Lake CSSC.

Mrs Keech urged people in the Forest Lake area to continue to help their most vulnerable children – and move the region Toward Q2 – Tomorrow’s Queensland.

"The efforts of foster carers and the commitment of all Child Safety staff goes a long way to building a fairer Queensland and achieving the goals of the Bligh Government’s new strategy Toward Q2 through creating more caring, connected communities,” she said.

“The Bligh government is urgently seeking more foster carers to provide homes, love and support for vulnerable children and young people who are unable to live at home because of abuse or neglect.

“As part of our Toward Q2 strategy the Bligh Government has made a commitment to increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their community as volunteers.

“As we grow Toward Q2 we desperately need more carers, more of these community heroes to step in and help transform a child’s life.”

For more information on becoming a foster or kinship carer, phone the Department of Child Safety on 1300 550 877 or visit www.childsafety.qld.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Jo Crompton 3224 7081