Government boost helps Innisfail families keep their kids safe

by | Sep 6, 2009 | Media Releases

A Bligh Government boost of more than $430,000 over three years will mean more help for local families struggling to keep their children safe at home.

Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt today announced funds for the Community Support Centre Innisfail Inc to provide a family intervention service for local parents referred by child safety officers from Innisfail Child Safety Service Centre.

“The ideal place for children to be is with their families,” Mr Pitt said.

“It’s better for everyone if we as a government can do more work with families so that children can stay at home safely with support or be reunited safely with their family.

“The Community Support Centre will provide practical intensive family support where children are already in care or where the family need support to keep them safe at home or address child protection concerns.

“Staff will teach parents skills that relieve stress, family conflict and anxiety – how to manage anger, budget, prepare healthy meals, establish routines and set guidelines in the home.

“The Community Support Centre should be able to assist up to 12 families every year” Mr Pitt said.

The funds are part of almost $16 million in this year’s child protection budget for family intervention services to provide practical advice and support to about 1700 families across Queensland.

The new service in Innisfail is part of an expansion drive to have services across the state to which every child safety service centre can refer families.

Child Safety Minister Phil Reeves said the Queensland Government has doubled the workforce and trebled the budget for child protection since 2004.

“Our boost to family intervention services will now maximise the number of children and young people who can remain safely at home with support, or be reunited with their parents after time in care” Mr Reeves said.

“It will also create about 60 full-time equivalent new jobs per annum in non-government organisations like the Community Support Centre across the state, including 1.5 full-time equivalent jobs in Innisfail.”