The ACT has been warned not to ''over-review'' its child protection operations after the latest breakdown of the care and protection system.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Cheryl Vardon, who headed a review of care and protection in 2004, also warned yesterday that making ''political mileage'' on child protection was not helpful to victims or care workers.
Children's Minister Joy Burch, who was censured by the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday over the findings of a Public Advocate's report into breaches of the law by her directorate, was still under pressure from the Canberra Liberals yesterday.
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher was forced to intervene in the affair and direct Ms Burch's department to keep its minister informed of its day-to-day operations to avoid any repeat of the 24 breaches of the Children and Young Person's Act identified in the advocate's report.
The advocate Anita Phillips is now moving to carry out a broader review of the territory's care and protection operation, which has about 550 children in its care.
But Ms Vardon, whose 2004 report prompted far-reaching structural change for child protection in the territory, warned yesterday that a costly full review may not be necessary.
''It is possible to 'over review' a service delivery area when funds [could be] better directed to services and retaining and training staff.''
Ms Vardon said there was a ''need to think carefully and with best interests of children in mind as major reviews can be detrimental to services to children ...''
Ms Burch endured a grilling from the Opposition during Assembly question time yesterday and Ms Gallagher was forced to come to her defence, saying Ms Burch had not been provided vital facts.