Media Response: Concerns over Child Protection Workload

Statement from Mel Bray, CPSU/CSA Assistant Secretary;

“We know that Child Protection workers are constantly on the front-line looking after some of the most vulnerable in our community.

“Our latest survey of caseworkers shows that workload is overwhelming, with 70% stating their concern about being able to adequately assist the needs of children and families. 

“Our members reported that 1:15 ratio does not reflect the true situation, and instead, is an average spread across all caseworkers.  

“It does not take into account the Nominated Liaison Officer List (the monitored list), which is a list of children that are being monitored by the department but do not have a designated caseworker. This is currently close to 1000 children. 

“This list includes hundreds of West Australian children and over 30% of caseworkers have to work on NLO cases weekly, on top of their existing case load.   

“With the highest number of children in care we’ve ever seen, there is no doubt, more resources are required across the whole department in order to ensure our most vulnerable are protected.”