A FIRST glimpse into the state government's foreshadowed reform of the child protection system suggests a clawing back of power and responsibility.
While the word 'de-privatisation' was missing from a speech to the highest ranking managers within the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), the message was clear.
Communities and Families Minister and Port Stephens MP Kate Washington warned the reforms would be painful sector wide, for those inside and outside DCJ.
"I think it's fair to say that some people's vision of reform extends only to other people's responsibilities," Ms Washington told the DCJ assistant secretary, executive directors and directors.
"And they are likely to be disappointed."
The speech
In a speech obtained by the Newcastle Herald, the minister said her legal parental responsibility for the more than 12,000 children and young people in out-of-home care was a statutory and moral obligation she carried with her every day.
"I believe that the government's ultimate responsibilities cannot be outsourced, regardless of who has case-management," Ms Washington said.
"That power comes with even more significant responsibilities, that simply cannot be delegated.
"So, if we are to continue with a system where non-government providers receive a significant funding premium worth tens of thousands of dollars per child per year, we have an obligation to set clear expectations for the good of that child, and the taxpayers of this state.
"If those expectations are not met, we have an obligation to act. And I am not talking about a menial attempt to stamp our feet and wave our finger."
The goal was to land the upcoming reform with a genuine spirit of partnership with non-government providers, with clearer accountabilities "at every level of the system".
"And, with that, hopefully more radical options won't be necessary."
Three 'pillars'
Minister Washington identified three pillars of reform - helping more families stay safely together, providing safe and nurturing homes where that was not possible, and better supporting frontline workers.
The current system was a mishmash of quick fixes, layered on top of each other over decades, with spiralling costs, worsening complexities, caseworker vacancies, fewer children being seen, carer fatigue, placement instability, workforce culture, and a lack of accountability throughout the system, she said.
What was needed was boldness and bravery to embrace change.
"To be frank, that's not always what I've witnessed to this point," Ms Washington said, asking those in the room, "the leaders, decision makers, policy setters, quality assurance, and the voice and face of the system" to "lean in".
"On some occasions ... I see vindictiveness and retaliation towards carers and caseworkers," Ms Washington said.
"I see a system that sometimes wraps itself in cotton wool, instead of the child we're protecting, or the family we're supporting."
Union's response
The Public Service Association (PSA) has embraced the messaging, describing it as a dressing-down of management which demonstrated the minister's understanding of cultural illnesses that have plagued the agency.
"There was recognition that many caseworkers were struggling because of vacancies, because of the risk you wear and an unnecessarily complex system," PSA leadership has told union members.
"The solutions are more early intervention, more referral pathways and most importantly, meaningful mobility for the workforce."
Stop-work meetings are being held statewide at 12 noon on Monday (September 2) as part of an ongoing campaign in which members are seeking a 15 per cent pay increase after a decade-long wage freeze.
Hard truths
The minister both apologised for but did not shy away from her public description of a broken child protection system.
The system was not a reflection of the effort put in by the department's workforce, she said.
"Everyone's been so busy trying to manage the growing crisis, there's been no discernable strategic direction," she said.
"That may be challenging to hear - but deep down, I'm sure it resonates."
She pointed to the need for greater oversight as identified in recently published scathing reports from the Audit Office, the Ombudsman, Office of the Children's Guardian, the Advocate for Children and Young People, and the Productivity Commission.
"And I should warn you, there are more of these reports on their way."
As well as greater transparency and responsiveness, the reforms would involve a new mandatory mentoring and leadership program being introduced across the entire workforce in 2025, redeploying specialist caseworkers to the field with primary responsibility for a small caseload over the next few weeks, and changes to the triage and public reporting system.
