Push for safety in numbers
CHILD safety services in the Far North are being expanded after a foster father was charged with child sex offences last week.
Child Safety Minister Shannon Fentiman confirmed there would be an additional 3.5 fulltime positions in Cairns by the end of the year.
This is despite figures released showing Cairns’ two child safety centres, in Cairns North and at Edmonton, will receive less funding this financial year.
Opposition child safety spokeswoman Ros Bates raised concerns over the cuts and said it was vital more money was pumped in.
“Child safety workers are crying out for more resources and more frontline staff who can work directly with at-risk children and help work through a growing number of caseloads,” Ms Bates said.
But Ms Fentiman said legal staff had been transferred from these offices to join new specialist legal teams as part of recommendations of the Child Protection Commission of Inquiry.
“We are committed to keeping Queensland children safe and to driving record investment into early intervention services to help families stay safely together, before they come into contact with the child protection system,” she said.
The expansion details come days after an Edmonton foster father, 41, was charged with a series of child sex and child pornography offences.
The State Government announced a review into the foster care system last week following the alleged murder of Brisbane schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer at the hands of her foster father.