Palaszczuk Government continues historic investment in child safety

Positions for more than 150 new frontline child safety workers will be created to boost services for Queensland’s most vulnerable children and families.

Children and Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard said the significant increase in numbers meant child safety officers (CSOs) could create more meaningful relationships with children and families in need.

“Covid and the increasing abuse of methamphetamines and ice have created an unprecedented demand on our child safety network,” the Minister said.

“More frontline staff means we’ll be working more intensively with children and families, sooner.

“The new staff will be rolled out across the next two years.

“Our child safety workers do incredible work in often unimaginable circumstances and I can’t tell you how much that work is valued and appreciated.

“Since 2015, we have invested more than $850 million in our child safety system, including restoring and increasing child safety staff levels by 550, including 39 this financial year.”

Today’s announcement follows a record $1.475 billion investment in child and family services in the 2020/21 budget, including:

• $166.6 million to continue our commitment to early intervention through Family and Child Connect, Intensive Family Support, Family Participation Programs and Family Wellbeing Services, and continued implementation of key reforms, such as Supporting Families Changing Futures, with sector and community stakeholders.
• $98.4 million to manage increasing demand in the child protection system.

The 154 positions announced today will be made up of 105 CSOs, 18 senior team leaders, 18 child safety support officers and about 13 administration officers.

Media contact: Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116