HACSU slams Government over Child Safety Officers as staff walk off job in Launceston and Hobart

The Health and Community Services union says morale is at an all-time low among Child Safety Workers, as staff walk off the job across the state.

HACSU Tasmania assistant secretary Lucas Digney and ANMF Tasmania secretary Emily Shepherd at stop-work action at Launceston General Hospital on May 29, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

Tasmanian Child Safety Officers in Hobart and Launceston walked off the job on Wednesday over staff shortages they say are leaving at-risk children without support.

Health and Community Services union delegates met with Premier Jeremy Rockliff in September last year seeking an emergency workforce package to address their staffing crisis.

They say nothing has been done and workers are continuing to resign in frustration.

“At the very time Tasmanians are hearing from the Commission of Inquiry about how we have failed vulnerable children in the past, it is happening again,” HACSU assistant state secretary Lucas Digney said.

“Child Safety workers need pay and conditions that see people wanting to stay and work in this vital service area. But what do we see? Piecemeal offerings that will do nothing to address the ongoing crisis.”

HACSU industrial manager Robbie Moore, who attended the Launceston meeting, said members were angry that the Government have not provided a meaningful response to their concerns, despite knowing the gravity of the situation.

Mr Moore said ongoing staff vacancies meant vulnerable children had been placed on waiting lists, delaying appropriate interventions that could prove life-changing.

“Staff have taken action because they felt they had no alternative,” Mr Moore said.

“Morale is at an all-time low. Staff do this work because they want to help young people.

“But they just can’t cope knowing what’s going on.”

Minister for Education, Children and Youth, Roger Jaensch, said the stop-work meetings had not impacted services.

“I would like to thank our Child Safety staff for the work they do every day to keep Tasmanian children and young people safe,” Minister Jaensch said.

“We continue to negotiate in good faith to finalise the Child Safety Agreement.

“This Government is investing an additional $11 million towards a range of priorities to safeguard children and young people, including recruiting additional Child Safety Officers.”