Child Protection

The Hon. C. BONAROS (15:01): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Primary Industries, representing the Minister for Human Services, a question about child protection social workers.

Leave granted.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: Yesterday, InDaily ran a deeply troubling story exposing the fact that one in five state government social workers who support families at risk of having their children taken into care have quit over the past two years. Data provided to the online media outlet shows 30 out of a total of 170 social worker positions are vacant within the Department of Human Services' child and family support services division. Over the past two years, that section of the department has experienced an average social worker turnover of about 20 per cent.

These statistics show that social workers on the frontline are identifying and combating child abuse and the ongoing battle that involves. The community was shocked earlier this year by the deaths of six-year-old Munno Para girl, Charlie, and seven-year-old Craigmore boy, Makai. In both cases, their families were both known to multiple government agencies, including DHS and Child Protection, and their deaths sparked a review now underway by former police commissioner Mal Hyde. My questions to the minister are:

1. What is the government doing to address the shortage of child protection social workers?

2. What contingency plans are in place to cover the shortfall?

3. Does the minister believe more children are at risk due to the shortage?

4. What reasons have been given by social workers for leaving the system; for instance, better pay, burnout, stress, exhaustion, etc.?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:02): I thank the honourable member for her very important question. I will refer it to the relevant minister in the other place and bring back a response.