The Department of Human Services, namely Child Protection is understaffed, under funded, and under resourced! The workers are underpaid, overworked, and overwrought. This is in part a reflection of the value our governments place on children and families, just as we see it in the ‘justice’ system. For the most part, individual workers do the best they can to improve the situation for as many children as possible, but without a doubt the system is broken, and it will take a lot more than money to fix it. Time and again we hear of children left in situations where there is serious long-term neglect and abuse, while others are taken into state care as a result of revenge reports or a series of unfortunate events in an otherwise happy and healthy home. We have an expectation that case workers will be right one hundred percent of the time, and while that is ideal, it is not humanly possible, and it is an expectation that makes it difficult for the department to back down or change their position once they have made a decision. This is problematic because it might lead to a reluctance to act in cases that can not afford the luxury of a delay, or conversely, the unflinching pursuit of an unnecessary course of action for fear of what might come of admitting a mistake. The former can mean the difference between life and death, while the latter has the potential to destroy children and families; both scenarios result in damage that reverberates through several generations, multiplying problems rather than solving them. So what can we do? First of all we need to make it very clear to those in government that we value people over profit. When governments cut spending in areas that benefit vulnerable people such as the elderly, the disabled, children, or those in poverty, for the purpose of increasing the surplus, or appeasing their financial backers, we need to stand up and let them know that people mean more to us than money. There needs to be a more efficient system for filtering revenge reports from genuine concerns. It can not be a matter of ‘he said’ ‘she said’, where the person with the best rapport building skills, the most cunning, or the more favourable reputation can swing decisions in their favour. That is not how it works in a court of law, and it should not be the way it works where families are at stake! Priority cases must come first, and second, and third. Yes, that might mean that less-than-ideal situations are left alone, but it will also mean that serious cases are given the amount of time and effort they require. Put simply, it will save lives. The less-than-ideal situations can be improved in other ways: parenting classes in high schools, and during pregnancy, better mental health care, public counselling services, and financial assistance for families in need. Often, families just need a hand-up to get above a cycle of poverty and depression, for their situation to improve. Their children are not at risk in the long-term, and will only suffer further trauma being removed from their families. This not only frees up staff, resources, and funds, but it also lifts the burden off the already struggling foster care system, leaving beneficial placements open for children who REALLY need them. Finally, we need to allow room for error. Case workers should be able to do their jobs without fear of extreme repercussions should they make an error in judgement. What that means is that at any time during the process, they will be free to reassess their position in the best interests of the child, and will not be forced (implicitly, or out of fear) to continue along a path that they no longer feel is right. There are people on all sides of this debate who feel strongly about their position, but remember, above all we must put the welfare of the children FIRST - before our pain, before our anger, before our reputation, and before ultimately, before our pride.
Posted on: Sun, 04 May 2014 02:32:48 +0000
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