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Early intervention is critical for our most vulnerable children
A focus on early intervention and ensuring adequate case workers are available would be the most effective response to this week’s Ombudsmen Victoria’s report into child protection services says Professor Cathy Humphreys.
Professor Cathy Humphreys holds The Alfred Felton Chair of Child and Family Welfare at the University of Melbourne and is available for interviews on:
PHONE: 8344 9427
MOBILE: 0437392181
EMAIL: cathy.humphreys@unimelb.edu.au
For more information contact:
Emma O’Neill
Media Unit
University of Melbourne
T: 03 83447220
M: 0432758734
E: eaoneill@unimelb.edu.au
“It is crucial that in response to this report, resources aren’t now misdirected as a band-aid solution into the statutory end of protecting children. We would miss the critical point of early intervention which can direct support to families earlier,” she says.
“A system for creating safety and well being for children is not built on public outcry, but on reflection, review and improving family and specialist services which support vulnerable children and families.”
The report highlighted that as at June 19, 2197 cases, representing 22.6 per cent of all child protection cases, were not allocated to a case worker and Professor Humphreys says this shows the consequences of inadequate funding.
“The Report shows how critical it is to resource workers to do their jobs. Our most vulnerable children deserve the best and this means improving services across the spectrum, from early intervention in family services through to the pointy end of child protection and the court system.”
