A SYSTEM LOST AND CHILDREN FORGOTTEN
THE ‘Lost, not forgotten’ report of Victoria’s Commissioner for Children and Young People (Liana Buchanan) includes chilling revelations about continued failures across child protection and family services, including the repeated and severe neglect of 35 children.
These 35 children, all aged between 12 and 17, ultimately committed suicide, typically after their cases were closed or passed to other agencies, none of whom were appropriately placed or equipped to help them.
The report is damning and uncovers systemic issues, ones that our community expects will be addressed as part of a cohesive response to supporting children who are at risk. These issues include inadequate tracking of families’ engagement with services; the disproportionate number of indigenous among those neglected; a pattern of reports and referrals essentially gathering dust; wholly ineffective intervention approaches; and a general culture (in the commissioner’s own words) of increasing hopelessness and despair.
Over 14,000 calls made to the state’s Child Protection Hotline were not even answered during a 20-month period in 2018 and 2019. Ninety percent of reports received were closed at intake or investigation, despite reports of severe harm and escalating concerns. The report uncovers that where families were diverted to community-based child and family services, they were hampered by delays, inadequate services and poor engagement.
These findings are not unique. A recent report by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office was equally scathing about inadequacies in the Department of Health and Human Services and other public health services responsible for child youth mental health support.
There is numerous research around ‘the first 1000 days’ and the benefits of early investment in intervention and prevention programs to support children and families during this critical period. The vulnerable children who come to the attention of child protection have often endured any or all combinations of family violence, abuse, neglect and poverty. Their likelihood to have contact with the justice system, out-of-home or residential care, mental illness and drug use is subsequently high.
This week I have called on the state Parliament to acknowledge the need for early intervention strategies to be prioritised in addressing the requirements of vulnerable families. Systemic failures within child protection, from intake to closure of cases, needs to be urgently addressed. DHHS’ public reporting of child protection issues, including the outcomes of public programs and initiatives, needs greater transparency.
The state government needs to significantly lift investment in evidence-based, early intervention programs.
The Social Ventures Australia Report commissioned by Berry Street and the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare has modelled the case for and reports that additional investment of $150 million a year in long-term effective early intervention will deliver a $1.6 billion net saving to the government. A $2 saving for every $1 invested.
As we approach a new decade, we cannot continue to tip money into the crisis end without sustained funding to address the root cause that leaves vulnerable children exposed. More than economic sense, we cannot continue to fail these children.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
– Tania Maxwell
Member for Northern VictoriaDear Editor,
WE are writing to thank the Swan Hill community for your support of McHappy Day in 2019 – the largest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
The Swan Hill community helped us celebrate 28 years of McHappy Day by raising more than $5.9 million for RMHC nationally.
These donations will go toward supporting families while their seriously ill or injured child undergoes treatment, helping them to stay together in their time of need.
Throughout the country we saw communities, including residents from Swan Hill, help raise vital funds for RMHC.
We saw local bucket brigades, emergency services, community heroes, as well as sporting and TV personalities visiting McDonald’s restaurants to help make a difference.
We want to personally say a big thank you to everyone in the Swan Hill community who got involved on November 16, making generous donations, which helped McHappy Day raise more money than ever before.
Fundraising efforts like McHappy Day are vital and ensure RMHC can be there for families with seriously ill children when they need it most.
With so many Australian children requiring treatment, every donation goes a long way to keep families together in their toughest times.
You can continue to support families in need by donating to rmhc.org.au all year round.
Thank you again to the local community for all your help on McHappy Day 2019.Barbara Ryan
CEO of Ronald McDonald House
Charities AustraliaKatie Holmes
National Ambassador, McHappy Day 2019The Editor,
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr McFee for his work behind the scenes.
Now we have a bridge that is clear of the encumbrance of a heritage overlay and therefore the business of replacing the aging structure is very much a possibility.
Taking into consideration the fact that we still have a water tower that is heritage listed and the old pumping station that is also under the protection of the heritage authorities the present situation offers at least some leeway for the design and construction experts to fashion a very much needed replacement river crossing.
We are reliably informed that the NSW government have pledged $60 million towards a new bridge, it is now time for action from the Victorian Government to chip in their share and lobby hard for planning for a new bridge to commence and some dates for construction to be decided.
The Swan Hill Rural City Council need to become a key player in discussions with the Andrews Government, to be relentless in their pursuit of kick starting the activity necessary to achieve positive outcomes in the necessary steps that will achieve the new Swan Hill bridge. Let’s do it!!
— name supplied.
Prayer to Scott Morrison PM
WE are working together as a team of
spirit filled people to bring about God’s
Purpose. And that is to bring back God’s
Blessings to his rural people.
He has heard our cries, our prayers and heartache.
We are his angel warriors to deliver God’s
word to the PM. “Can the Plan”
And bring back God’s Water Blessings to
His Rural People, Farmers & Communities.
I pray this is heard, so we can praise you.
AMEN
— From Convoy to Canberra Angels
