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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 3 Hansard (28 May) . . Page.. 709 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

The ACT Government has continued to promote a local strategy for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Part of this strategy has included the establishment of local networks of government and non-government child and family service agencies. These networks specifically consider ways of preventing child abuse and minimising its harmful effects on children and young people. Between July 1997 and April 1998 there have been 18 network meetings involving 65 agencies and 233 participants. These networks have proven to be very effective forums for information exchange about existing services and new family support initiatives.

Mr Speaker, a number of training and staff development initiatives have been undertaken within Family Services, and this is an area that the Social Policy Committee commented on in its report. To increase the number of graduates in social work and psychology, Family Services is actively encouraging staff enrolment in professional courses at relevant universities. In addition, new staff are being provided with a comprehensive welcome pack and a 26-day series of core training workshops. This training is offered twice a year. The training workshops have been made available to all agencies in the wider child and family service system. The first series of workshops is nearing completion and has been attended by 81 participants from 26 other agencies. The value of this training in reinforcing a more holistic approach to child protection has already become apparent. Participants from agencies represented have indicated that they now have a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all agencies which work with children at risk.

As the Government has said in its response to the report, we have, in our previous term of office, already made significant progress in providing services to children at risk. Major achievements of the last Government were founded on establishing key links and partnerships between the Government and the community sector for the provision of integrated support programs. Examples of those programs include the cooperation between Tuggeranong Community Service and Kambah High School for access to family support services and the arrangements between the Child Health and Development Service and the Marymead substitute care organisation for delivering home-based parenting skills development programs. We will continue to encourage and develop these links. But all those with a commitment to providing support services for children at risk must also acknowledge that this serious issue is not just for the Government to address; it is an issue which requires supporting cooperation from the whole community.

Another of the Government's achievements was the implementation of mandatory reporting of child abuse, and we are committed to its continued support. Over 2,500 people who work with children in a variety of occupations have been trained in the new processes, and this training is continuing. As part of our commitment to improving services, we are also reviewing current practice in a number of key areas. These include the ACT substitute care system and service provision under the supported accommodation assistance program. As Mr Hird remarked in his address in this debate, the results of these reviews will be available shortly.

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