South Australia’s child protection system is to receive a boost of funding to begin the Government’s response to recent reviews.
According to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Stephen Mullighan, a $26.7 million increase will be in addition to $128.9 million committed in June’s State Budget and $7.5 million in child protection grants to non-Government organisations for supporting children and young people in care and their carers.
Mr Mullighan said the Government was ensuring the child protection system had the resources it needed, including addressing the recommendations of Mal Hyde and Kate Alexander in their reports into the child protection system.
He said an additional 33 full-time carers for residential care would also be employed.
The Minister for Child Protection, Katrine Hildyard, welcomed the Government’s policies saying the additional support would give young people the best chance to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally.
“I am working every day, with steadfast determination, towards improving South Australia’s child protection system and towards making this State a safer place for children and young people,” Ms Hildyard said.
“We are listening to recent reports into child protection and are swiftly and decisively acting to try to help children and young people in South Australia have better outcomes,” she said.
“This additional investment, and the investment made in our 2022/2023 budget, speaks to our commitment to helping enable children, young people, and their families to have the best opportunity to thrive.”
The Ministers said further measures were under consideration to address further child protection reviews, with more announcements to be made in the State Budget in June.
