- Meeting with residential care sector begins pathway forward for 24-hour duel-carer model
- The forum forms part of the Crisafulli Government’s first 100 days plan
- $383 million safer children, safer communities policy will deliver better outcomes for children and young people
Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm has today met with the Residential Care sector to begin building a pathway to better outcomes for children and young people.
The forum forms part of the Crisafulli Government’s First 100 Day’s Plan and a promise to deliver a new dual-carer model with two carers working at Residential Care facilities 24-hours a day.
Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm said there was recognition from all stakeholders about the need to transform the Residential Care system.
“There was a positive energy in the room, as we formulate a path to transform the Residential Care system,” Minister Camm said.
“There was also a focus on the need for children on supervision to have more individualised case management, which would lead to better outcomes.
“As we formulate a path, it is clear this is a catalytic opportunity to more broadly reform the out of home care approach from vulnerable children and young people.”
Under the former Labor Government, many Residential Care facilities only had one worker at any time, with little oversight and inability to provide focussed care for children.
The Crisafulli Government is committed to put an end to Residential Care being a funnel into a life of crime, with all Residential Care facilities working with the new duel-carer model by the end of 2030.
In addition, $180.3 million has been allocated for Foster and Kinship Care services providing recruitment, training and direct support to help those supporting children in the care system.
It comes after the Crisafulli Government uncovered Queensland Labor’s half a billion-dollar budget blowout this financial year in residential care for our state’s most vulnerable children.
In addition, it was revealed Labor planned to sack 91 critical regional child safety staff at Christmas.
Then there is the damning report by the Queensland Family and Child Commission proving Labor’s Residential Care roadmap was a road to nowhere, with no money.
Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm said the former government’s management of the Residential Care sector was a disgrace.
“The former Labor government had a complete disregard for a department that is already under enormous pressure on the back of Labor’s record,” Minister Camm said.
“They have planted budget blackholes across every department and as a result, we’ve seen a record number of children in residential care.
“There has been a 381 per cent increase in the number of children under 12 living in residential care and for the first time ever, more than 2,000 children.
“Labor cared more about how things looked, than how they really were and didn’t have attention to detail.
“We promised Queenslanders a fresh start and the Crisafulli Government’s Safer, Children, Safer Communities Plan will deliver that by protecting our state’s most vulnerable children and repair the broken system that’s putting communities at risk.
“Under our $383 million Safer Children, Safer Communities policy, we are focussed on delivering better outcomes for children and young people, including delivering Queensland’s first SecureCare facility and piloting a new professional foster care program.
“Today is just the start of an ongoing conversation with the residential care sector to achieve transformational change.
“I’ve made a commitment to an ongoing partner relationship with the sector, including follow-up forums to be held, as we reform the Residential Care sector.”
