CASE worker numbers will get a boost across the state after the NSW government announced a $63 million investment in frontline services.
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The Berejiklian government plans to invest the money over the next four years, with $18 million slated for the first year.
That includes 66 extra case work support workers for $9.3 million, $6 million in new funding for 42 additional case workers to see more children at risk.
They will also bolster the Joint Investigative Response Teams (JIRT) and Child Protection Helpline, hiring more than 30 additional case workers with $3 million of funding.
Family and Community Services Minister Pru Goward said case workers were the “frontline of child protection”.
“This investment will help our frontline case workers see more children at risk of significant harm.
“Better community awareness about child abuse and neglect, and how to recognise and report the signs has seen a rise in calls to the Helpline and our increased investment will help us continue this important service.”
Roughly 42 children and youths are reported as “at risk of significant harm” daily in the region, according to Department of Family and Community Services data.
That annual figure has not declined once since it was first published in 2013.
The number of vacant case worker jobs has also hit its highest point since June 2014.
Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery welcomed the decision, but said it left questions about where resources would go.
“In the Hunter/New England region more than 11,900 children at risk of serious harm were not seen,” she said.
“These figures are the worst in the state.”
Ms Hornery said the fact the government had cut 110 full-time case workers in 2014 meant there had still been a net loss of staff.
“The Minister hopes that the additional workers will reduce the number of children not being seen face to face to 50 per cent,” she said.
“There is a serious problem when the Minster thinks 50 per cent is acceptable. These figures are shocking and the government don’t seem to care.”
“Supporting the children and families who are most at risk in our society needs to be an absolute priority.”
