Profit model for child protection under fire

THE State Government’s use of profitmaking care providers for children has come under fire following new allegations of mistreatment.

Child and Youth Services insiders say provider Total Support Services (TSS) used heavy-handed discipline on disabled children in its care, resulting in a teenager being hospitalised in a psychiatric ward. TSS has denied the claims. New Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch faced a barrage of questions from Labor and the Greens yesterday over the allegations.

Mr Jaensch said his department had begun an investigation after being made aware of the claims by media.

Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Kym Goodes said for-profit organisations were not appropriate providers of out-of-home care.

“Using a business to provide this care is, in effect, a business transaction,” Ms Goodes said. ALEXANDRA HUMPHRIES

“This is not appropriate except in extreme and one-off situations.”

The new claims included clients being abused, restrained and “sat on” by staff with inadequate training.

A former employee of Safe Pathways, which faced allegations of child neglect in 2016, had also been employed by Adelaide-based TSS, it was claimed.

A TSS spokeswoman said the allegations had been fully investigated and were unfounded.

“It’s just completely false,” she said. “Safe Pathways has nothing to do with us.”

Mr Jaensch said his department didn’t know the details of the new allegations when contacted by media.

“I don’t know the details of the cases that are being reported in the media beyond what I’ve heard in the media,” he told State Parliament.

“I cannot at this point confirm the details of those allegations.”

The minister said he had been briefed about earlier claims involving TSS, which had been investigated and resolved without the removal of any child.

Mr Jaensch said any such claims were fully investigated.

Labor spokesman Josh Willie said Mr Jaensch had provided differing versions of what he knew about the allegations.

“The minister must ensure that when these types of allegations arise they are investigated as a matter of urgency and ultimately kids are safe,” Mr Willie said.

Interim Children’s Commissioner David Clements said a stronger monitoring system for out-of-home care was being established along with new standards.