Children at further risk without additional early intervention and prevention funding

Peak social service organisation, the New South Wales Council of Social Service (NCOSS) has called for additional investment into early intervention and prevention services, as more vulnerable children are reaching crisis point in NSW.

It follows the release of the NSW Ombudsman report, which found almost half a million credible reports made to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) last financial year were not investigated due to ‘no capacity to allocate’ resources.

The Ombudsman has made a number of recommendations in the report, including a review and reform of the way ‘Risk of Significant Harm’ reports are handled, as well as comprehensive training for all relevant DCJ staff. NCOSS calls on the NSW Government to implement all recommendations in the NSW Ombudsman report.

Cara Varian, CEO of NCOSS, said the findings reveal a broken system due to chronic understaffing, leaving vulnerable children at risk.

“I’m really saddened by this report revealing almost 245,000 credible reports made to DCJ were not being investigated, meaning thousands of vulnerable children are crying out for help with no one to listen to them.

“While last year’s $1.2 billion dollar NSW Budget announcement to reform out-of-home care was welcomed, clearly more investment is needed to be able to reach these children through early intervention and prevention services.” Ms Varian said.

Holistic and culturally safe programs, such as the school gateway hub ‘Mirrung’, are examples of early intervention that use an integrated, family-centred, place-based approach to support communities in overcoming structural disadvantage.

‘Mirrung’ is a partnership between NCOSS and Ashcroft Public School in south-western Sydney that provides a place for students and their families to feel safe, accepted and supported.

“We’d like to see additional funding from governments urgently invested into early intervention and prevention to ensure children in NSW are kept from falling into crisis,” said Ms Varian.

Media contact: Bron Matherson, 0438 844 765