More funding is to be allocated to a specialised child trauma training program delivered by the Australian Centre for Child Protection Western Australia (ACCP-WA).
The extra money is to be provided through the Department of Communities over 12 months to support 450 scholarship opportunities for child protection practitioners and other professionals, such as police and healthcare workers, who work with children affected by trauma.
The training programs will help specialised workers enhance their knowledge and understanding of treatment needs for children and young people with complex trauma.
Minister for Child Protection, Simone McGurk said the ACCP was a nationally-focused centre that conducted research and professional training to enhance policy and practice to safeguard children.
“Based at the University of South Australia since 2004, the ACCP has officially launched an ACCP-WA Branch, helping deliver local outcomes while raising the profile of WA research experts on the national stage,” Ms McGurk said.
“Working with children impacted by trauma is some of the most difficult work imaginable, and it’s sadly something professionals in a range of industries encounter on a daily basis.”
She said it was important to continue to build the skills of front-line child protection workers, police, healthcare workers and other professionals so they could strengthen their ability to help victims of child abuse.
“The establishment of the Australian Centre for Child Protection WA was a significant milestone in the State Government’s commitment to implement change following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse,” Ms McGurk said.
“The Government continues to deliver record investment in child protection initiatives and responses. We’re continuing to prioritise support where it’s needed and building capacity for those responding on the front line.”
