Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Communities for Children Plus in Playford

Children and families in Playford will benefit from a new Communities for Children Plus site in South Australia.

The Federal Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, the South Australian Minister for Families and Communities, Jennifer Rankine, and the Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion, today announced that the Playford local community would receive $2.8 million over three years to support local families and help reduce child abuse and neglect.

‘Communities for Children Plus will deliver a more coordinated approach between child and family services, state child protection authorities and adult services for parents where there may be a higher risk of child abuse and neglect such as mental health services,’ Ms Macklin said.

‘Local families and children will be supported through intensive parenting services, early learning and literacy programs, playgroups, after school recreation programs, home budgeting courses and child nutrition education.

‘This new site will provide local families the support they need to raise healthy and happy children.’

As with the Communities for Children model, a lead non-government organisation in each site will be funded to contract other local service providers. Anglicare South Australia is the preferred provider, building on their success delivering the local Communities for Families pilot program in Playford, which finishes in 2011.

This model allows the local community to develop and tailor the service to ensure it meets the needs of local children and their families.

Minister Rankine said the new Communities for Children Plus site will deliver much needed services and support to South Australian families.

‘The northern suburbs are a great place and have a strong community but there are pockets of disadvantage and families that need help. Many face complex problems that are often intergenerational and require a strategic long-term response,’ Ms Rankin said.

‘This package complements the significant body of work that South Australia has done in child protection and early intervention over the last eight years. It reinforces the commitment of both State and Commonwealth governments to the most vulnerable in our community.’

Mr Champion welcomed the announcement of Playford as the South Australian Communities for Children Plus site.

‘This is major win for the local community,’ Mr Champion said.

‘This new service will help make our community a safe and happy place for children to grow up in.’

The Australian Government is providing $19.9 million over four years to establish eight Communities for Children Plus sites in communities of high disadvantage.

Playford is the fourth site to be identified, joining locations in Launceston in Tasmania, Cardinia in Victoria and Ipswich in Queensland. Communities for Children Plus is a key initiative under the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020.