7/03/07
The State Government has announced it will invest an extra $100million and implement a raft of major structural reforms in one of the biggest overhauls of child protection operations in Western Australia's history.
Responding to the independent review of the Department for Community Development by Prudence Ford, Premier Alan Carpenter also announced that a new Department for Child Protection would be established and the State would introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.
"There is nothing more important than the safety and protection of our children," Mr Carpenter said.
"The Government's response to this report addresses the historical, practical and cultural issues that have stood in the way of this department delivering effective service to the people who need it most.
"This is significant reform and I am confident it will give us tangible results."
Of the 70 recommendations contained in the Ford Report, there was only one that was not endorsed by the State Government - and that was a recommendation not to expand mandatory reporting.
"We believe it is now time to expand mandatory reporting in WA, providing it is done in a sensible and workable manner," the Premier said.
"In the first instance, legislation will be introduced requiring the key professions of doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers to report when they have evidence that child sexual abuse has occurred or is occurring.
"Implementation of the legislation would be preceded by drafting and passage of the legislation in the second half of 2007, with recruitment and training of staff.
"There will also be a comprehensive education and training campaign to ensure that people know how to identify abuse and what to report.
"Currently, departmental protocols require departmental child protection staff to report child abuse and the law requires Family Court and child care staff to report child abuse.
"Evidence from other jurisdictions is that mandatory reporting can overload the system with unsubstantiated reports.
"However, we have the advantage of being able to learn from the mistakes of other jurisdictions and implement a system that is workable."
The new Department for Child Protection would be officially created from July 1 this year, with the existing Department for Community Development being split into two. All other auxiliary and policy offices would be absorbed by a new Department for Communities.
Mr Carpenter said the response would also see children removed from parents who put them at risk and additional placement options made available for these at-risk children.
"We also recognise the important role played by foster carers and additional support will be provided through increased subsidies, respite care, additional training and renewed efforts to recruit more to their ranks," he said.
Other key initiatives include:
- the construction of new group homes across the State as part of sweeping reforms to the residential care system. A two-tiered regime will cater for young people of all ages and needs in both metropolitan and regional areas;
- the appointment of a Child Safety Director in each key State Government agency to ensure the delivery of appropriate care and services to vulnerable children and their families, including children in the care of the CEO;
- the establishment of a Child Safety Directors' Group and District Child Safety Co-ordinating Groups to ensure a co-ordinated, across-agency response to vulnerable children;
- the onus on the Departments of Health and Education to develop health and education plans for every child or young person in care;
- relocating the Child Death Review Committee, established by the State Government, to the Office for Parliamentary Investigations (the Ombudsman), thereby giving it greater independence; and
- introducing mandatory minimum qualifications for every caseworker in the Department of Child Protection and opportunities for staff to undertake further training and tertiary education.
The recommendations also address better collaboration between agencies and the non-Government sector, as well as greater consultation with the indigenous community to promote strong, safe and self-reliant people and communities which can protect and nurture healthy children and families.
"Child protection is, quite simply, one of the most important issues we have to tackle as a Government, and this report provides us with a blueprint on how to do that," Mr Carpenter said.
"I thank Prudence Ford and her team for the immense and professional effort in this vital area.
"While there is more to do, we already have much to be proud of.
"In the 2006-07 Budget, the department received $140million - the single biggest injection of funds in its history. In September, I announced another $50million to recruit 133 staff, including 88 caseworkers, and we have just embarked on a massive recruitment campaign to fill the remainder of those positions.
"We established and acted on the Gordon Inquiry. We established the Child Death Review Committee. We overhauled antiquated child protection legislation. We passed Working With Children laws. We are appointing a Commissioner for Children and Young People.
"We have reviewed the department's response to children abused in care and we have also acted on a critical case review."
Premier's office - 9222 9475
