South Australia’s child protection system will receive a further $26.7 million to boost child protection services to begin the government’s response to recent reviews.

This funding is on top of the additional $128.9 million committed to in June’s state budget, and $7.5 million in child protection grants to non-government organisations to support children and young people in care and their carers.

The Malinauskas Government will employ an additional 33 full-time carers for residential care by 2026 at a cost of $9.6 million.

In addition, $9.8 million over four years will be invested into specialist services within residential care for children and young people requiring additional support to provide the best chance for them to physically, mentally and emotionally thrive.

$2.6 million over four years will be allocated to young people with complex needs leaving care, providing support for 18- to 21-year-olds at risk of homelessness and housing instability, extending the supports provided in the Next Steps pilot program and Stability in Family Based Care program.

Under the Social Workers Registration Act 2021, a registration scheme will be introduced with an investment of $4.7 million over four years.

Further measures to address child protection reviews are under consideration with further announcements to be made in the state budget in June 2023.

Quotes

Attributable to Stephen Mullighan

The Malinauskas Government continues to bolster resources in the State’s child protection system, with today’s funding following the substantial investments in June’s state budget.

We are committed to ensuring the child protection system has the resources it needs, including in addressing the recommendations of Mal Hyde’s and Kate Alexander’s reports into the child protection system.

Attributable to Katrine Hildyard

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.

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.

This additional investment, and the investment made in our 2022/2023 budget, speaks to our commitment to help enable children and young people and their families to have the best opportunity to thrive.