Wednesday, 21 February 2024

Ministers statements: child protection

Lizzie BLANDTHORN (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Children, Minister for Disability) (12:26): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is encouraging Victorians from all walks of life to consider a career in child protection. I have spoken many times in this house about the work we have undertaken to strengthen the child protection workforce, through funding 1180 additional child protection practitioners to promoting their vital work through the Go Where You’re Needed campaign. But today I want to focus on the child protection vacation employment program. Most recently funded through the 2022–23 budget, this $5.4 million program provides a paid rotation-based employment program that equips Victorian-based students studying a social work, psychology, welfare or related qualification with the experience and skills necessary for entry-level child protection practitioner roles.

Last year I attended the graduation of 56 participants of this program. On that day I was particularly struck by the story of one of the previous participants. For the benefit of the house I will highlight their story, and to protect their identity I will refer to them as Jill. Jill began her tertiary studies with the intention of working in criminology and the Australian Federal Police. However, the pandemic delayed her fitness tests that were required for her to join the AFP. During the pandemic she could not sit still, and her passion for learning led her to consider free TAFE. Before she knew it she had started a diploma of community services. Working as a disability support worker gave her exposure to advocating for those most at risk in our community.

As part of her placement requirements she applied for the child protection vacation employment program and put her career in disability on hold to try something new. In early 2022 she was able to experience and learn more than she could ever imagine. She saw the work and the efforts of child protection in areas such as intake, investigation and case management and witnessed practitioners’ advocacy for children. She saw the difference child protection can make in a child’s life just by taking an interest in what they had to say and making them feel safe. By the time she had finished the program she had accepted a position in child protection intake. The team were so welcoming, knowledgeable and supportive that she knew it would be the perfect environment for her. Jill was a very impressive young woman, and this is just one example of how our investments are making a real difference – (Time expired)