120 new Aboriginal workers to join Child Protection ranks

A in influx another 120 Aboriginal staff is set to boost the Child Protection Department’s ability to work with Aboriginal children in state care.

Jasmine Taylor-Harding is among 7 Aboriginal trainees recently hired by the Child Protection Department as part of a strategy to increase the proportion of Aboriginal staff. Picture: Image AAP/Mark Brake

The Child Protection Department has set a target to hire another 120 Aboriginal staff to better respond to the high numbers of Aboriginal children in state care.

About a third of children in care are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander but there are only 115 Aboriginal staff working in the department, or 4.8 per cent of the workforce.

While that is among the highest rates across government, department chief executive Cathy Taylor wants to grow the proportion to 10 per cent by 2024. Based on the current workforce, that would require an extra 120 staff. Ms Taylor said the increase was important to help children maintain connections to culture and family and boost the knowledge of staff to work in “a culturally respectful and appropriate way”.

However, she conceded the “complex nature” of the department’s “role within the Aboriginal community setting … can present a challenge with recruitment”.

The department is particularly seeking more Aboriginal child and youth workers in state-run homes.

KWY provides Aboriginal family services in South Australia. Chief executive Craig Rigney said some Aboriginal families were more comfortable with child protection workers who knew their culture and community.

“It’s really critical to have Aboriginal staff who understand the landscape from a cultural context and a legislative context,” he said.

However, Mr Rigney said it could also be difficult for some Aboriginal people to work in a field with such high numbers of Aboriginal families in need, and that may have contributed to the low staff numbers.

The department recently hired seven people through its Aboriginal Traineeship Program and is seeking a further three this year.

Among them is Jasmine Taylor-Harding, who is working in human resources.

Now 18, she was taken into state care at age eight and is now “drawing on” her experience in the new role. “There are many kids in care who are Aboriginal (so) having that connection (with Aboriginal workers) is really important,” she said.