South Australian Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard orders independent review into department’s complaints process
The State Government has announced it is reviewing the Child Protection Department’s complaints process amid concerns about the departments ‘toxic culture’ and treatment of foster carers. Critics say there is no need for another review, as a previous inquiry already recommended the creation of an independent body. Pressure is continuing to build on embattled Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard.
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00:00The performance of Child Protection Minister Katrine Hilliard and her department has been
00:06under the spotlight for months.
00:09There is a toxic culture that is well documented at DCP and nobody appears to be willing to
00:16get in and get rid of the bad actors.
00:19Carers say they've made Minister Hilliard aware of their concerns about bullying and
00:23harassment of foster carers by Child Protection staff and now in response the Minister has
00:29told them in a letter she's asked Chief Executive Jackie Bray to set up an independent review
00:35into the complaint system.
00:37A new review?
00:38No, we need action.
00:39We need to get an independent complaints unit now.
00:43Carers deserve it.
00:44The community deserve it.
00:46Stop kicking the can down the road and get on and do your job.
00:49Greens MP Tammy Franks and carers say there's already been numerous reviews, including the
00:55Arnie Inquiry in December 2022, which recommended an independent quality assurance unit be set
01:01up, but the department is continuing to investigate itself, with the Chief Executive bringing
01:06the complaints area into her office.
01:09Carers have been treated like mugs.
01:11They're being taken advantage of.
01:13The system is falling apart.
01:15It's in disarray.
01:16It's in absolute disarray.
01:18With criticism of the Minister and her Child Protection department ongoing, the pressure
01:23on Katrine Hildyard to resign is showing no signs of letting up.
01:28This is a Minister who is charged with one of the most important jobs in this Government
01:34of Child Protection and she is failing.
01:37She needs to be moved on.
01:39With Minister Hildyard on leave, the Premier was left to defend his Cabinet colleague.
01:44I think Katrine deserves a bit of credit for her steadfastness and her focus, which is
01:50exactly what people expect of her.
01:52And the Minister will no doubt be expecting more pressure on her return.