Clarence Council Aspirant, Hans Willink today called for a joint Federal / Local Government takeover of child protection services and foster care in Tasmania, following a series of spectacular recent failures by the State Government.
“Clearly the State Government is incapable of ensuring adequate care for some of our most vulnerable children, especially teenagers” Mr Willink said.
“It has proven that it cannot adequately resource Child Protection Services nor can it provide adequate support for over worked and under-valued foster carers”.
Mr Willink said it is time for the State Government to be removed from the picture altogether and replaced by a joint federal and local government partnership.
“Such a model is nothing new,” Mr Willink said,” and has worked well with the provision of family day care for many years.
“Most Councils have community participation officers and well developed networks that interact with welfare providers. I propose that staff currently working for Child Protection Services be transferred to Councils to supplement them”.
“There are many things that Local Government does well and understanding and interacting with its local community is one.
“Local problems are best solved by local solutions.”
