AT-RISK children are living in motels with DOCS staff because there are not enough care facilities in Armidale.
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The crisis sparked a walk-out by staff from Armidale’s Department of Community Services yesterday as part of a statewide action.
Public Service Association regional organiser Stephen Mears stated a case where several children had been living with the DOCS officers for about one month because there was nowhere else to place them.
“It’s far from an ideal situation,” Mr Mears said.
“Staff don’t mind helping the kids but having to stay in motel rooms to care for them, ensuring they are fed and clothed properly, being available 24-hours a day and attending other work is not on.
“This is leading to mental health issues and burn-out, not just for staff in Armidale but across the state.”
The industrial action was called because staff are angry with the state government’s failure to adequately address resources for child protection, Mr Mears said.
Low staffing levels, a lack of care placement for children needing protection and overworked staff are at the root of the matter.
“This was a stop-work action initiated by staff because they are reaching burn-out as far as a lack of government support and staffing issues go,” Mr Meirs said.
Mr Mears said there were about 55,000 children reported as being at significant risk of harm across NSW.
Mr Mears said the government’s own figures showed there was a 21 per cent increase over the past two years of children at risk of harm, with only a one-in-four risk of serious harm being seen by caseworkers because of a lack of resources.
“Much of the foster care scheme has been privatised and staff are aware that out-of-home care is often hard to find locally, and the care provided by the private sector is sometimes not adequate,” he said.
A Family and Community Services spokesman said the department is working hard to build support for its caseworkers.
REQUESTS by DOCS workers seeking urgent help have gone unanswered since April last year.
Public Service Association Regional organiser Mr Stephen Mears said at least two requests, one sent in about April last year and the other sent earlier this year, had gone unanswered and there was no sign the SOS for more help would be addressed.
“I’m very disappointed in the government’s approach to our plight and the desperate need for increased staff and services for children,” Mr Mears said.
“The situation is getting worse, especially for indigenous children as placements are not available locally and they are being sent off country, away from their families.”
Association assistant general secretary Steve Turner is angry that the government repeatedly refuses to address such an important issue, adding that child protection case workers have “had a gutful”.