Families and children affected by homelessness, domestic violence and substance abuse will have access to a network of workers specifically trained as adult and child service providers as part of a new $2.1 million workforce development program to be implemented by UniSA's Australian Centre for Child Protection.
Announced today [4th May 2010] by the Federal Minister for Families Jenny Macklin as part of the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children, the Building Capacity Building Bridges initiative will see the delivery of workforce strategies to equip service providers to manage the complex needs of vulnerable families in 12 locations across Australia.
The program will target a variety of service providers - including those working in alcohol and drug, domestic violence, mental health, homelessness, and children's services - equipping them with the skills to read the early-warning signs in vulnerable families and, importantly, to know how and where to follow up on the issue.
Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection, Professor Dorothy Scott says that the initiative recognises that vulnerable families often have complex and multiple needs stemming from problems such as mental illness, substance misuse, homelessness and domestic violence.
"A family may seek help for drug and alcohol problems, for instance, and the substance abuse service provider may also identify housing, domestic violence, or early childhood education needs and problems," she says.
"This initiative is about providing a coordinated national approach to child protection and strengthening service providers' ability to prevent neglect and abuse, rather than responding after the event.
"People working in adult-centred services often come into contact with vulnerable families and children, however many don't have the skills or confidence required to deal with the complex issues associated with child wellbeing.
"The funding will also enable us to support service providers to work together more effectively."
To access the original news item please visit: http://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2010/040510.asp
