Page 1169 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 24 March 2009
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What we are not seeing—yet, at least—is an evaluation of how all these programs are working and, just as importantly, working together. Reviews are being undertaken by the Institute of Child Protection Studies at the Australian Catholic University, and the departments do collect some figures on the take-up of the programs. It seems, however, that the information being collected by the government on some programs is quantitative, not qualitative. We know how many people are using these services, but we do not know the situations of these families.
It has also been raised with me that, while we do offer a large number of programs, many people are not aware of them. And, with such a large number of programs, how are we ensuring that the people who come into contact with these families—for instance, teachers and healthcare, welfare and community workers—know all about these programs and know who to refer where? The government note that they provide training to mandatory reporters and to staff in the relevant agencies but, in my experience, if you are not using something regularly you will forget about it—and things change over time, so being kept up to date on current programs and eligibility is essential. Is information on these programs provided to all staff? Are staff regularly attending community forums such as inter-agencies or establishing other ways to stay informed of changes to community programs? I will be seeking a meeting with Minister Barr to discuss these questions.
The committee’s report calls for education programs, for better assessment tools and for the expansion of the programs and services already available, with the aim of improving the outcomes for the vulnerable infants of the ACT. The government response agrees, but does not seem to offer much more than listing what is already there. I would like to see ongoing in-depth evaluation of current programs and supports to ensure that they are adequately meeting the needs of our vulnerable families and children. I ask the minister to keep me and the Assembly informed.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (11.03): The standing committee reports on early intervention and the care of vulnerable infants. I do apologise to the Assembly: I read before that it was tabled in April last year; I have just looked at it again and I realised it was August. So I do apologise for the comment I made before that it could have been replied to in the last Assembly.
This is an important tool in the whole process of ensuring that we get right care and protection, and the protection of our young children, in the ACT. It is important to note that there is a lot of work that is done in relation to vulnerable children in the ACT outside the care and protection system. It has long been the view of the Canberra Liberals, and it is a policy position that we have taken to successive elections since I have been involved as a candidate and as a member, that one of the most important things that we can do in this area is to intervene with young mothers at risk of falling foul of the system and not being able to provide the care that is necessary to ensure that their children grow and thrive physically, emotionally and developmentally.
There have been substantial improvements and developments in this area in the last four or five years on the back of the Vardon report, the Murray audit of the Vardon report and the Murray-Mackie report. There has been an increased emphasis on providing as many of those services as possible outside the formal care and protection
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