Workers at Ashley Youth Detention Centre have been pulled from other areas to increase floor staff numbers to a safe level despite the state government's claiming the centre is adequately staffed for the current number of detainees.
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Health and Community Services Union assistant secretary Robbie Moore said youth workers have been moved from case management and other administrative roles to be put on the floor.
"They have actually taken action and put staffing up to safe levels," Mr Moore said.
Last week the union raised concerns about understaffing at AYDC creating unsafe conditions for both staff and residents.
However, Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch said the centre was staffed for up to 24 detainees, with resident numbers currently below 20, and that a recruitment process underway was for a pool of casual staff or to cover a rise in detainees.
"Staff duties and requirements are managed based on need day-to-day," Mr Jaensch said.
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As a result of the pressure on youth workers and other staff, AYDC health and safety representatives issued a Provisional Improvement Notice under the Workplace Health and Safety Act on June 17.
WorkSafe visited the centre this week and interviewed staff as part of its investigation into the safety notice.
"The fact that staff had to take this action - it's disappointing," Mr Moore said.
"It wasn't until the media and WorkSafe were contacted that concerns were addressed."
Mr Moore said staff had indicated their worry that the increased staffing levels were just a honeymoon period while the spotlight was on the centre.
"They need these safe staffing levels on the floor all the time," Mr Moore said.
Mr Moore said he was not yet worried about the flow-on effects of having to pull staff from other areas, but said this was something that would need to be monitored.