June 2003

$20 million program to support vulnerable children

The Victorian Government has committed $20 million to a new comprehensive program to identify and treat children and young people who have experienced severe abuse and neglect.

Take Two, the new intensive therapeutic services program, will target children and young people referred by Child Protection Services.

The $20 million program will help about 700 children and young people each year across the State over the next four years.

The program, for the first time, will establish specialist therapeutic and treatment worker teams across the State to work closely with Child Protection Services, child and adolescent mental health services and the child welfare sector, including foster carers and residential care staff.

Take Two will also research the needs of children and young people who have experienced abuse and neglect and training will be offered to further develop the knowledge base and skills of staff working with this vulnerable group.

Take Two was launched by Minister for Community Services Sherryl Garbutt.

It will be delivered in partnership by the Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Berry Street Victoria, La Trobe University and the Victorian Child Psychiatry Training Department.

It acknowledges that without treatment a number of children and young people are likely to suffer a range of post-traumatic symptoms and emotional and behavioural problems into adulthood.

Take Two includes an early intervention component that aims to ensure resources are directed where they are most needed and to stop problems escalating.

‘It will give families, foster caregivers and workers more confidence and capacity to deal with children and young people who exhibit challenging and at risk behaviours,’ Ms Garbutt said.

Take Two was developed in consultation with a broad range of agencies and is part of the Government’s commitment to improving therapeutic and treatment services for Child Protection clients to enhance their health and wellbeing.

The Take Two launch was addressed by Children’s Court of Victoria President Judge Jennifer Coate, Berry Street Victoria CEO Sandie de Wolf and Austin Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Director Dr Neil Coventry.