Child protection caseworkers are to have more time in the field to visit at-risk children with the development of a new Department of Communities and Justice app, designed to revolutionise the way they work.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, Gareth Ward said ChildStory Mobile would transform how child protection caseworkers operated by giving them access to important documents and data at the touch of a button.
“Less time behind the desk means more time on the ground completing critical assessments that help ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of at-risk children,” Mr Ward said.
“The ChildStory app will enable caseworkers to record crucial information into the Department’s system from their mobile devices at any time, without the need for a time-consuming visit to the office,” he said.
“In the last 10 years there has been a 62 per cent increase in children seen by a caseworker after being reported at risk of harm, a significant reduction in the rate of children entering care, and a suite of reforms undertaken to prioritise permanency.”
Mr Ward said work was underway on the design of ChildStory Mobile, in consultation with caseworkers, and testing of the platform was planned for later this year.
“We are working hard to improve the rate of children reported at risk that our caseworkers see.” he said.
“Embracing this technology will help make caseworkers more agile, efficient, and productive.”
Mr Ward said there was still a lot more work to be done and he had no doubt that the app would contribute to better outcomes for vulnerable children and families in NSW.
