THE region’s frontline child protection workers were in the spotlight last week as Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson undertook her maiden visit to Mount Gambier.
She visited ac.care and Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation to meet with service providers in the South East as part of a tour of the state.
Ms Sanderson also visited Limestone Coast Department of Child Protection teams to gain an understanding of the issues around children in care.
The minister discussed the State Government’s reforms in the child protection sector, including broadening the accepted qualifications for workers and providing greater financial assistance for foster carers.
She said the State Government’s pre-election pledge to extend foster care payments for young people up to 21 years would benefit the Limestone Coast’s 189 children and 106 carers.
“There have been a number of studies that show outcomes for young people supported beyond 18 years old include better education and employment prospects, along with improved physical and mental health,” Ms Sanderson said.
“It also decreases interaction with the justice system.”
Ms Sanderson said the full uptake and impact of the extended foster care payments initiative would be reviewed after 12 months and costs would be dealt with as part of the upcoming state budget.
“The extended foster care payments to families has a range of long-term benefits, including reduced long-term costs to government,” she said.
“These positive steps forward are yet another example protecting some of the state’s most vulnerable young children is an absolute priority of the new State Government.”
