Human Services Dashboard reveals more at-risk children aren't being seen in time

Data released on the Human Services Dashboard Friday afternoon revealed the number of children in active transition, referred for an investigation who had not been allocated a case worker within priority timeframes, had blown out from 18 in April 2020 to 65 in March 2021.

It is an increase of more than 350 per cent - something Ms Lovell said highlighted funding and staffing issues.

"In April last year, there were 18 children who are potentially at risk who have not been responded to within the timeframes they should have been, now that has more than tripled," she said.

"It's clearly down to chronic underfunding of the child safety service and under resourcing, and that's something that the government have been aware of for a long time now.

"Child safety officers have been talking about it, the CPSU has been talking about it, Labor has been talking about it.

Children and Youth Minister Sarah Courtney said if a child was assessed to be in immediate danger they are seen within 24 hours.

"Otherwise, where it is safe to do so, our priority is to intervene early with wrap-around support services for families, not to automatically progress the notification through the statutory system," she said.

When asked whether the government would commit to more funding, Ms Courtney said that in 2018/19, $24 million was invested into the recruitment of 25 additional child safety officers and other frontline staff for the department.

"We are committed to continuing the work that's begun and will continue to improve our response to the most vulnerable children, young people and their families," she said.

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