The Bligh Government is investing in the child protection with another 28 potential child safety officers about to start funded studies at the University of Queensland.
Minister for Child Safety Phil Reeves today said the government would invest up to $336,000 on scholarships for the students to study a Graduate Certificate in Human Services (Child Protection).
The scholarship program was established in 2005 in partnership with the University of Queensland.
The scholarships cover the costs of study-related expenses and the Higher Education Contribution Scheme during the course, which is two years part-time or one year full-time.
Mr Reeves said the program was developed to boost the government’s capacity to deliver culturally appropriate and responsive child protection services in rural and remote areas of Queensland.
“Child protection can be difficult, but rewarding work, and recruiting and retaining frontline people is an ongoing challenge,” he said.
“The Bligh Government has focussed on improving career paths and other strategies to attract and keep frontline people, and this scholarship program is a key element.
“The program is proving successful with 48 of the 60 graduates still currently working with Child Safety Services.”
Of the 28 students in the latest group of scholarship recipients, 19 are currently employed by Child Safety Services and are obtaining the qualifications to become child safety officers.
The other nine have degrees in other disciplines. They have agreed to work for Child Safety Services for a minimum of 18 months after they graduate with the Graduate Certificate.
“Scholarship recipients this year are from a range of regional areas including Kingaroy, Murgon, Innisfail, Rockhampton, Atherton, Townsville, Mount Isa and Maryborough,” Mr Reeves said.
“These recipients will now undertake Queensland’s leading postgraduate child protection course – one that will provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge to apply in their child protection duties.”
The scholarship recipients were formally welcomed to their studies by Head of the School of Social Work and Human Services Professor Howard Karger at the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus today [Thursday 23 April 2009].
“We are very proud of the strong partnership we have with Child Safety Services,” Professor Karger said.
“By providing specialist study in the theory and practice of child protection work, our program is responding to the need for improved education and training for front-line workers, and is fulfilling our commitment to establishing a skilled workforce.
“I wish each student all the success in their upcoming studies.”
Media contact: Minister’s office 3224 7081.
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