Victorian Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge has announced a $3.8 million package to recruit and retain frontline child protection staff.

 

Ms Wooldridge said the funding package included a targeted online and print campaign, graduate courses for 90 practitioners in child and family practice and professional, one-on-one coaching for around 300 team leaders.

 

Funding will also be made available for local initiatives addressing workforce and cultural issues identified in staff surveys.

 

"Over recent years there has been a crisis in child protection, with children being placed in harm's way and workers leaving in droves," Ms Wooldridge said in a statement.

 

“Last year, on average, we recruited 25 new frontline workers each month, but at the same time 21 frontline workers were leaving child protection services.”

 

A recruitment website will allow potential candidates to access information and videos about child protection work and register their interest.