The PSA continues to receive complaints from Worksite Representatives and members about cutbacks to Families SA services. The PSA has been advised that District Centres have been directed to cut a further 2% from budgets over the remainder of the 2007-08 financial year. This follows a cut of 2% from July 1 from the 2007-08 State Budget. It is understood that other areas of Families SA are also expected to make additional cutbacks.

PSA believes that the cuts are a result of over-budget expenditure on emergency accommodation and related contracted agency carer payments.

The cutbacks are being dealt with in different ways in individual offices, but it all adds up to reduced services to the public, particularly those in need, and greater workloads for Families SA staff.

As a result of the cutbacks, PSA is advised that :

• Long-term temporary staff are being ceased with the loss being not only of staff, but experienced staff in areas that with recognised chronic recruitment and retention issues.

• Many District Centres are dealing only with Tier 1 notifications and Infants at Risk - Tier 2 and 3 matters are simply not allocated and receive a token service at best.

• District Centres have increasing numbers of staff vacancies, some as high as 4 vacant positions or more.

• It is understood that consideration is being given to closing the Victor Harbour office one day per week.

• There is an increasing demand for Anti-Poverty support yet resources are being reduced.  In some offices it is now routine for 15-20 emergency matters to be dealt with over and above a full Friday appointment list.

• Some foster carers are not receiving reimbursement of legitimate day to day expenditure - this at a time when demand is increasing and carers are becoming more difficult to find.

• There is increasing demand for support for the homeless and others in desperate need of emergency financial assistance.

It is clear that despite the good work that flowed from the Layton report - Our Best Investment - in some ways services, through withdrawal of resources, are back where they were years ago.

The PSA has written to the Minister for Families and Communities seeking an urgent meeting to discuss immediate action to ensure that Families SA has appropriate resources to carry out its vital work in the community. 

PSA WORKING FOR MEMBERS

12 October 2007