The Department of Communities has developed a $3.7 million package aimed at attracting temporary staff to boost critical child protection workforce numbers across five regions of Western Australia.
The package will be made available for new and existing employees up until 30 June 2024 in identified critical roles to help bolster front-line staff.
It will offer eligible staff up to $13,000 in additional financial support in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions; up to $10,000 in Mid-West and Gascoyne regions, and up to $6,000 across the Goldfields-Esperance and Wheatbelt regions.
The payments will be in addition to existing employment entitlements.
In a statement, the Department said the front-line child protection workforce was critical in helping to protect vulnerable young people and their families.
“There is a need to continue to respond to challenges faced in the current labour market to attract suitably qualified and experienced staff,” the Department said.
Minister for Child Protection, Sabine Winton said she had had the opportunity to meet with and hear from hundreds of child protection workers throughout the State over the past six months.
“These staff care so much for the children they support and work tirelessly to keep them safe,” Ms Winton said.
“The work they do is incredible, and we value what they contribute to our community so much, which is why it’s important we support them as best we can.”
She said a big part of the new support was the ability to retain experienced staff and attract new people to fill vacancies in these critical regions, which is why the package had been created.
“This package further builds on a range of strategies that the State Government has already implemented to boost our child protection workforce, particularly in our regions,” the Minister said.
