A WHS Provisional Improvement Notice was issued to FACS on 16 November 2017.
Contravention
PCBU has failed to meet its legislative obligations under WHS by failing to have in place adequate policy, procedural and training systems that are designed to identify, manage and prevent vicarious and secondary trauma which is recognised as an inherent risk for child protection staff. Read PIN HERE.
Protecting our members’ health and safety
Your PSA is committed to protecting our members who work with the most vulnerable children in this state. We know, and the Department has acknowledged, the work you do can be extremely stressful and sometimes dangerous but have done far too little to protect you.
Some of the situations you face are:
- reading, writing about and discussing incidents of child neglect or abuse, domestic violence, traumatic life events of children and young people and/or incidents of violence against staff
- making difficult decisions involving the future of children and young people
- conducting face-to-face interviews with clients in their home, which can involve verbal abuse or violence
- managing situations of physical or verbal abuse involving threats against self, colleagues and family and/or other members of the public
- attending incidents of domestic violence/abuse/neglect to assess and remove children and young people
- providing support to carers and children/young people where the child is displaying challenging, sexualised and/or distressing behaviours
- abuse in the office for many administrative staff.
The PSA will continue to fight for your right to a safe workplace free from harassment, bullying and scapegoating. It is astounding that such committed public servants are not afforded the basic protections that are your right.