S.A Failing at Risk Children.

[Sojourner]

Article in todays Advertiser makes me feel sick, mainley because I know that its factual and that the article does not actually go far enough into what is happening. My information is that FAYS are so overloaded with work that various reports being made are not being followed up because of a sheer lack of resources. I love footy as much as the next person, but to see the state ripping the guts out of the Mt Gambier Timber Industry to fund Sports Stadiums whilst children are being abused and not being followed up by FAYS is a total and utter disgrace irrespective of which party is in power and i suggest that both of them are as guilty.


THE Guardian for Children has branded the State Government's approach to helping families of at-risk children "disjointed, opaque and unplanned".

Pam Simmons, who has been in the government-funded role for seven years, said the state was spending just one-fifth the national average on intensive family services per child.

Ms Simmons has warned that the number of children under state care will continue to grow from an already record annual high of 2410.

Ms Simmons' warning comes as national figures released today show the number of reports about abused or neglected children has risen sevenfold in two decades, from 42,695 in 1989-90 to 286,437 in 2009-10.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies report also shows children taken from their parents into state care, due to neglect and abuse, has trebled in the same time.

State Education and Child Development Minister Grace Portolesi admits more needs to be done to prevent children going into state care.

Ms Simmons said the number of children in state care had risen by more than 35 per cent in the past five years.

"They are children and young people where abuse and neglect has been demonstrated to such a degree that they are no longer safe with their families," Ms Simmons said.

"Unless we are prepared to put more into supporting families who may be able to in fact look after their children safely, then that growth is likely to continue.

"If more money can be invested at an earlier stage to support families, the benefits are realised by both the state and also by the children and their families."

In her 2010-11 annual report, Ms Simmons outlines a number of shortfalls in the state's child protection system, including:

INCREASING instability in placements, resulting in more children in tenuous care arrangements.

ONE in three young people approaching adulthood not having a plan for their leaving state care.

ADULTS working in child protection feeling under more pressure, with available time for sound decision-making falling while demand grows.

MORE needing to be done to ensure children and young people have a record of their history and achievements, and to include them in decisions about their lives.

Ms Simmons also said there was strain on those providing and supporting alternative care for children.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 232f73cb7d

[southee]

Spot on Soj. Good Post.

Having seen this 1st hand with a job I was in (yes I have seen it.....its FACT!!!!). The under resourcing is a absolute joke mate. Its laughable!!!

We can sit here in our own little worlds and get all excited about hospitals and a new football stadium .....purly built for political gain!!!! ( No arguements there!!) and to see innocent children suffer is heartbreaking and the current government should hang their heads in shame!!!

The generation coming through is going to be scary......but with what is NOT being done you can understand why......