Department for Child Protection and Family Support Public Hearing

Update: Rikki Hendon will speak to ABC720 Perth's Jane Marwick on this issue just after the 2pm news.

Listen live.

The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association has called for a broader inquiry into the Department for Child Protection and Family Services because inadequate resources are hindering the management of children at risk.

CPSU/CSA branch assistant secretary Rikki Hendon made the request after giving evidence at a public hearing on Monday afternoon that is reviewing how the department manages children at risk.

Background
Representatives from your Union will attend a Community Development and Justice Standing Committee to a Public Hearing concerning the Department of Child Protection and Family Support and its management of Children at Risk. 

The hearing will make particular reference to the case of a teenage father in Department care who was convicted of the manslaughter of his infant son earlier this year.  

We know that this incident is indicative of a wider problem of a department with staff ready and willing to assist but who are finding their hands tied due to inadequate resourcing.

Branch Assistant Secretary Rikki Hendon will present many examples of the impact of an under-resourced department that is struggling to meet increasing demands and renew our call for the scope of the hearing to be widened.

More to come.