Child Protection Reports

Ms DIANE BEAMER: I address my question to the Minister for Community Services. What does the annual statistical report show about the reporting of children under the age of one to the Community Services Helpline?

Ms LINDA BURNEY: I thank the member for the question, and I appreciate this opportunity to inform the House about protecting children—in this case, very young children. The Department of Community Services 2006-07 report reveals some significant and worrying trends. The report shows a 41.2 per cent increase in the number of children under one who were reported to the Community Services Helpline between 2004-05 and 2006-07. While this is a concern, the increase in reports shows that we are now finding out about more problems. This enables us to help more children. While reports have risen across the board, babies have experienced the biggest increase of all age groups. In 2006-07 the helpline received more than 26,000 reports about almost 12,000 babies.

Little ones, babies, have no voice—no way of letting someone know that they are in trouble, and that they are hurting. Therefore they are particularly vulnerable. I am grateful to community members and professionals who raise the alarm by calling the helpline. These reports give children a voice. The figures show that in 39.6 per cent of total cases assessed there was evidence of emotional or psychological harm. For babies, the equivalent figure was 61.3 per cent. This speaks volumes about how babies sense and absorb what is happening around them. They absorb the tension, the violence and the chaos. They are the most vulnerable of the vulnerable—unable to speak out, unable to walk away and find a safe, quiet place. When people think about child abuse they often imagine broken bones and bruises. Yes, physical violence is not uncommon in the families we work with. But it is this silent trauma that leaves hidden scars that children carry throughout their whole lives.

Caseworkers are acutely aware of the vulnerability of babies. Children under one were the group most commonly referred by caseworkers for further assessment. From 2004-05 to 2006-07 the number of babies who were referred for further assessment increased by 54.4 percent. There was an increase of 54.4 per cent in the number of babies who were referred for further assessment. More reports about babies were investigated by Community Services caseworkers than in any other year. Despite the growing number of reports, our frontline staff are reaching more cases across age groups. We all have a role in keeping children safe. We must remember that even the smallest interaction with children in our lives, be it a neighbour, a niece or a grandchild, can have a big impact. The statistics also confirm that domestic violence and drug and alcohol abuse are the constant companions of the families we work with. I am sure that on occasions all members have seen evidence of this in their electorates.

Of the 286,000 reports received in 2006-07, approximately one in three listed domestic violence, and one in five listed drug and alcohol abuse issues. Changes are needed in the child protection system, but changes also need to happen in households and communities across our State. We need to recognise the enormous influence of underlying factors such as mental illness, poverty and entrenched intergenerational disadvantage. Last week in estimates hearings I spoke about the increase in the number of child deaths in 2007. As I said in that hearing, statistics are cold. It is disturbing to outline these figures when you know that each represents a precious human life, a young life.

As members will be aware, the Ombudsman released his annual report today. The Ombudsman has highlighted many issues that the Department of Community Services agrees must be addressed if we are to strengthen protection of children. I welcome the scrutiny of the Ombudsman and I respect the role his agency plays in revealing systemic problems. It is only through careful review and analysis of these cases that the necessary changes can be made. The Government initiated the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in New South Wales. Justice Wood will deliver his report before the end of the year. The Government recognises the need for reform. It is important to acknowledge the enormous amount of work that has been done. The Government's $1.2 billion five-year reform package has delivered huge changes in our system. The number of caseworker positions has increased—

The SPEAKER: Order! The House will come to order. I call the member for Bathurst to order.

Ms LINDA BURNEY: The number of caseworker positions increased from 1,202 in June 2003 to 2,197 in August this year. Staff are responding to almost 100 per cent of the most urgent reports within recommended time frames. We recognise, as the Ombudsman has pointed out today, there is still room for improvement. We are working in partnership with the non-government sector in the critical area of early intervention and out-of-home care. More than 2,800 families with children up to eight years are voluntarily working with caseworkers to improve their parenting and, in turn, the safety and wellbeing of children. We are strengthening families through the Brighter Futures early intervention program, providing much-needed services and, most importantly, preventing the escalation of problems, avoiding the acute situation of children needing to be taken into care.

Working in partnership with New South Wales Health we are providing innovative programs such as the Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Strategy. This program supports Aboriginal women, many of them young, during and after their pregnancies, for medical care, midwifery and education. We are not alone in facing increases in child protection reports. Jurisdictions around the Western world report similar trends, but that does not change the fact that the Government is fundamentally committed to improving child protection systems. This is a collective responsibility. The Government has a role but so does the community and so do families, and we are committed to working together to deal with this difficult problem.