Shadow Minister for Families and Communities Stephen Wade today welcomed the announcement of Liberal Leader Isobel Redmond’s plan to overhaul Families SA.
“I can now announce that a Redmond Liberal Government will prepare a new child protection plan for South Australia based on a public health, whole-of-family approach,” Ms Redmond said.
“Our plan will have an increased focus on factors which contribute to the dangers facing ‘at risk’ children.”
Mr Wade said that risks facing children are increased if we merely monitor child protection notifications but fail to get parents to address the underlying issues which threaten children, such as alcohol or drugs.
“The State Liberals understand that the ideal outcome is for a family to be able to stay together as a unit,” he said.
“However, the evidence clearly shows that drug and alcohol abuse increases the risk of neglect and abuse of children.
“Under Mr Rann, the Department of Families and Communities has failed South Australians.
“As part of the reforms, a Redmond Liberal Government would trial a family intervention court in South Australia, engaging parents in a problem-solving approach.
“The aim of problem-solving in child protection is to give parents with drug, alcohol and domestic violence issues an opportunity to address those issues before the Youth Court makes a final determination in relation to care and protection applications.
“The program will require parents to demonstrate they have addressed their issues and will not harm their children.”
A Redmond Liberal Government will:
· Prepare a new child protection plan for South Australia based on a public health paradigm;
· Address the problems in the Department highlighted by the Families SA Select Committee, through a comprehensive overhaul of the leadership and management of the Department, refocussing priorities and resources and strengthening the role of community organisations;
· Focus statutory child protection on significant, entrenched or complex abuse or neglect;
· Provide alternative pathways and wrap-around services to protect children, engaging the resources of service providers and the community and the coordination of non-government organisations; and,
· Support community-wide efforts to prevent abuse and neglect.
“South Australia’s children have been let down for too long now – it’s time that changed,” he said.
”The State Liberals have listened and are taking action on child protection.”