The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs has launched a campaign calling on Queenslanders to consider becoming child safety officers (CSOs).
In a statement, the Department said it had a budget to employ an additional 107 frontline child and family services staff immediately and a further 47 in 2022-23.
“We have already employed an additional 55 CSOs, with a further 50 required over the next 15 months,” the Department said.
Minister for Children and Youth Justice, Leanne Linard said she had heard many stories from CSOs about how rewarding their work was.
“That’s why we have a new recruitment website featuring some of the 1,250 child safety officers already employed in Queensland,” Ms Linard said. “Our CSOs are committed to the work they do and now we’re asking other like-minded people with the right qualifications and skills to consider exploring a career in child safety,” she said.
The Minister said the career might suit people in their final year of university or who had a relevant qualification and had wondered what working as a CSO was like.
“We’ve put together a range of information and resources so you can dive a little deeper into what is involved in a career in child safety,” she said.
Ms Linard said people who took on the role would be helping to provide better services to communities across the State.
“They work with families in crisis, or who have gone off track and need extra support,” she said.
“Children, parents and families are at the centre of everything CSOs do.
“The services we provide families have a positive impact on their lives and improve their long-term outcomes and wellbeing,” Ms Linard said.
