Investing in family-focused reform

Tasmania has the opportunity to follow Victoria’s lead and invest in improving this state’s
child protection system.

Earlier this week the Victorian Government announced a five year plan which included
additional funding for out-of-home care services. The Victorian Council of Social Service said
the package announced contained a total of around $40 million in new funding.

Anglicare has been calling for $10 million to be allocated in the 2014-2015 Tasmanian
budget as a first step in implementing a range of measures to reform this state’s child
protection system. This was based on the findings of two research reports prepared by our
Social Action and Research Centre. “Our research found that despite the admirable motives
of many working within the child protection system, children and their families were being
significantly damaged by their experiences with it,” said CEO Dr Chris Jones.

Anglicare identified initiatives from around the world that were improving outcomes for
children and families. “There is clear evidence about what is working interstate and
overseas,” he said. “What is needed now is a funding commitment from government to
make these things a reality”.

The research report Parents in the Child Protection System recommended the provision of:
– the kind of intensive support many families need in order to make changes, with
better collaboration between different organisations;

– clear, easily understood and accessible information for families;
– free, expert and independent advocates to explain what’s happening and spell out
parents’ rights and responsibilities;
– a consistent service where outcomes do not depend on the personality of individual
child protection workers;
– ways for parents to have positive contact with children who are in out of home care;
and
– opportunities for parents to participate in the design and delivery of services.

There has been a steady increase in the number of children in the state’s out-of-home care
system over the last ten years. Current government predictions are that this number will
continue to rise by up to 9% a year. “Children and young people must be the Government’s
number one budget priority,” said Dr Jones. “Allocating the necessary resources to promote
their health and wellbeing is a sensible budget measure. The decisions we make now will
shape the Tasmania of tomorrow”.
Bronwen Hayes, Anglicare