Palaszczuk Government to make child safety everyone’s business

Published Sunday, 04 September, 2016 at 10:30 AM

Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

The Palaszczuk Government is making “child safety everyone’s business” through a new community campaign and a $60 million hands-on family support package.

Minister for Child Safety Shannon Fentiman launched the package today ahead of National Child Protection Week on September 4 to 10.

“Our Government is committed to keeping children safe and what better time to announce additional support than on the eve of Child Protection Week,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This funding will be used to deliver intensive support to the most vulnerable families across Queensland to help them better care for their children safely at home.

“This support includes case management to respond to complex family circumstances and practical assistance to deal with issues impacting the family’s ability to care for children.

“It will also create 128 new frontline jobs.”

Ms Fentiman said Queensland’s hard-working child safety staff and dedicated non-government agencies work every day to keep children in this state safe.

“But, the reality is, child safety is everyone’s responsibility. And when we see a child who could be in harm’s way or whose parents aren’t coping, all Queenslanders have an obligation to take action,” Ms Fentiman said.

“That’s why we are also pleased to be announcing a $2 million community campaign to be launched in partnership with the NAPCAN to help remind us all that children are among our most valuable and most vulnerable Queenslanders.

“Our package will also include new funding for Bravehearts so they can provide counselling and other support services to young people who are victims of sexual abuse as well as their families.”

The child protection package includes:

  • $60 million over four years for intensive grassroots family and child support at high-need locations across Queensland including the creation of 128 frontline jobs;
  • $2 million over four years to fund a state-wide campaign urging Queenslanders to call out child abuse, because “child safety is everyone’s responsibility”;
  • $500,000 new funding over four years for Bravehearts to support families who have experienced sexual abuse.

NAPCAN president Teresa Scott congratulated the Queensland Government for committing to real prevention approaches for protecting children.

“It is exciting to see a State Government prioritising the need for prevention and for committing to the implementation of recommendations from the Carmody Inquiry and other investigations around the nation,” Ms Scott said.

“This $2 million will give us the opportunity to implement a whole-of-community education program that will create real change by engaging all levels of the community from children and young people themselves, to families, professionals and decision makers.

“This is a cost effective strategy that perfectly reflects our National Child Protection Week message that everyone has a part to play.

“I urge all Queenslanders to move away from a culture of blame, and towards a culture where we ask ourselves 'what can I do to help protect children?'”

Bravehearts founder Hetty Johnston AM said the funding will bring much needed counselling to children on a wait list.

"This funding will be immediately applied to help Bravehearts meet unprecedented demand on our services in the Moreton Bay region,” Ms Johnston said, ahead of the organisation’s 20th annual White Balloon Day said.

“The Strathpine counselling team is at capacity and under duress to try and meet increasing demand for support for children and their families. This funding will help to alleviate some of that pressure.”

The Palaszczuk Government has invested a record more than $1 billion into keeping Queensland children safe in 2016-17.

Ms Fentiman said an almost $200 million investment in domestic and family violence services will also help to keep children at risk safe.

“We have 166 more frontline child safety and child safety support staff than we did two years ago,” she said.

“But government cannot do this alone. We need the whole community to keep Queensland children safe, whether they be in care or supported by their parents.

“And we must continue to deliver Queensland families in crisis the helping hand they need to stay safely together.”

Minister Fentiman: 0400 774 303

Bravehearts: 0448 028 291

NAPCAN: 0410 541 997