$13.1 MILLION TO SUPPORT 
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE 

The Stanhope Government will provide an additional $13.1 million over four years for individual support packages to assist the care and protection of children and young people.

The Minister for Children, Youth and Family Support, Ms. Katy Gallagher MLA said the support packages would be used for the direct benefit of children and young people in care, by providing additional alternative accommodation options.

“In 2005-06, $3.161m will be allocated to children and young people in need of care and protection who require intensive accommodation and support arrangements,” Ms Gallagher said. 

“Unfortunately the needs of these children and young people are such that they are unable to live in a family environment, including in foster care.  They require specialist staffing and intensive support.

“The funding serves the critical purpose of providing care that is individually designed for the young person concerned and will allow better integration of services, especially specialist services such as mental health and education services.” 

“Each year, a number of children and young people require intensive support and accommodation that provides a safer and more secure environment.”

“The new funding will ensure the ability of the Care and Protection Service to provide a safe environment for children and young people with high needs who have been neglected or abused.  It will enable them to contract a broader range of appropriate accommodation places.” 

“The demand for this type of accommodation has exceeded the availability and we have acted quickly and appropriately to address this.” 

“The 2004-05 2nd Appropriation Act provided an additional $8.512 million to further build service capacity by investing in the child protection workforce and in business systems critical to direct service delivery,” the Minister concluded.
Statement ends