State Plan Priority F6: Increased proportion of children with skills for life and learning at school entry
State Plan Priority F7: Reduced rates of child abuse and neglect
State Plan Priority F4: Embedding the principle of prevention and early intervention into Government service delivery in NSW
The Iemma Government’s commitment to vulnerable children and families in Lismore has been strengthened by
24 new caseworker positions and the new Lismore Community Services Centre (CSC), Minister for Community
Services Kevin Greene said today.
Mr Greene was speaking at the official opening of the new $1.1 million offices for the Department of Community
Services at Zadoc Street & Winterton Parade, his first visit to the city since he inspected local damage after
January’s devastating floods.
“The extra 24 DoCS caseworkers, coupled with the improved facilities at the new Lismore CSC, will strengthen
support to vulnerable children and families in Lismore and the surrounding area,” he said.
“Eight of the new caseworkers will focus on early intervention – helping families when things start to go wrong
rather than picking up the pieces at the end.
“Seven of the new caseworkers will work in child protection, another seven will focus on supporting children and
young people in out of home care and the remaining two will provide carer support and intensive support
services.
“The $1.1 million new Lismore CSC provides improved facilities such as increased security, better meeting
rooms for DoCS clients and space to house the additional staff.”
Mr Greene said the Iemma Government was committed to ensuring local DoCS offices got the support they
need. With $1.2 billion invested over the last five years to reform child protection the improvements are clear -
• DoCS caseworkers get to more cases than ever before;
• 12,700 children are being cared for in the Out of Home Care program;
• 2,000 families are involved in our new early intervention program, Brighter Futures, which helping
families to provide a safe, nurturing home for their children;
• Almost 800 staff are on the frontline since 2002, and we’re continuing to create more jobs for
caseworkers.
Mr Greene toured the new offices and talked to DoCS staff who have moved from cramped conditions in
Carrington Street to the new office.
While in Lismore he also took the time to visit and meet with staff at the Nimbin Parenting Centre in Uralba
Street which received a total of $56,810 in DoCS funding this year.
The centre runs four days a week to provide family support to parents and children aged 0-5.
“This parenting centre has been running successfully in Nimbin for five years and is well supported by the local
community. The kids are happy and the team are doing a great job,” Mr Greene said.
