Media Release
May 4 2010
Skills investment targets better protection for Australia's children
Families
and children affected by homelessness, domestic violence and substance
abuse will have access to a network of workers specifically trained as
adult and child service providers as part of a new $2.1 million
workforce development program to be implemented by
UniSA’s
Australian Centre for Child Protection.
Announced today by the
Federal Minister for Families Jenny Macklin as part of the National
Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, the Building Capacity
Building Bridges initiative will see the delivery of workforce
strategies to equip service providers to manage the complex needs of
vulnerable families in 12 locations across Australia.
The program will target a variety of service providers – including those
working in alcohol and drug, domestic violence, mental health,
homelessness, and children's services – equipping them with the skills
to read the early-warning signs in vulnerable families and, importantly,
to know how and where to follow up on the issue.
Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection,
Professor Dorothy Scott says that the initiative recognises that
vulnerable families often have complex and multiple needs stemming from
problems such as mental illness, substance misuse, homelessness and
domestic violence.
“A family may seek help for drug and alcohol problems, for instance, and
the substance abuse service provider may also identify housing, domestic
violence, or early childhood education needs and problems,” she says.
“This initiative is about providing a coordinated national approach to
child protection and strengthening service providers' ability to prevent
neglect and abuse, rather than responding after the event.
“People working in adult-centred services often come into contact with
vulnerable families and children, however many don't have the skills or
confidence required to deal with the complex issues associated with
child wellbeing.
“The funding will also enable us to support service providers to work
together more effectively.”
Contact for interview
-
Professor Dorothy Scott mobile 0411 779 739 email dorothy.a.scott@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Charlotte Chalklen mobile 0421 855 835 email charlotte.chalklen@unisa.edu.au