The Liberal Government is committed to reforming the child protection system in Tasmania to deliver better outcomes for vulnerable children, parents and families.
Today I opened a new advocacy service for parents and families involved with Child Protection Services.
The Red Cross Parents and Families Advocacy Service will provide advice, information and support to parents and families.
The service is based on a peer advocacy model where a professional advocate recruits, trains and coordinates a pool of community volunteers who will be paired with parents and family members referred to the service.
The Liberal Government recognises that both parents and children require support when dealing with Child Protection Services.
This service will empower and enable parents and families to participate in the process in a meaningful way and take advantage of opportunities to be involved in decision making that impacts on them.
It is a new alliance that brings with it the opportunity to build on the State Government’s commitment to working in partnership with families.
The face to face service will be provided by Red Cross at its Bridgewater office, with information and booklets and access to a web portal for parents available statewide.
It complements the Liberal Government’s new approach, which seeks to promote early intervention and collaboration with families to keep children safe and protected from abuse.
Jacquie Petrusma, Minister for Human Services
