Child, Youth And Family Boosts Frontline Support

27 November 2000

CHILD, YOUTH AND FAMILY BOOSTS FRONTLINE SUPPORT

Child, Youth and Family is to beef up management support for frontline social workers with a new service delivery network structure, chief executive Jackie Brown has announced today.

“What we are essentially doing is getting managers to give more direct support to frontline social workers and thereby improve service to clients.

“Our frontline staff do an enormous amount of excellent work under intense pressure. By strengthening the quality of direct oversight of social workers, we’ll support them better in their difficult jobs and boost our ability to help at-risk children.”

Currently, Child, Youth and Family has 13 administrative areas across the country, each led by an area manager. Within those areas, a total of 51 site offices deliver frontline services.

Under the new service delivery network structure, the number of site offices will stay the same.

But the number of administrative areas will be reduced to six and 38 Practice Manager positions will be introduced to strengthen oversight of frontline social work.

The new service delivery network is due to be fully operational by June next year.

“We are confident the new system will give our important work of protecting children a significant boost, as it shifts management decision-making as close to the frontline as possible,” says Ms Brown.

“It is therefore a very positive response to the difficult child protection issues the department has faced over the past few years.”

ENDS

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