Minister unaware of allegations of mistreatment of children by Total Support Services
Updated
The fallout has begun over allegations staff of the for-profit provider Total Support Services (TSS) mistreated Tasmanian children with disabilities on protection orders in its care.
Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch has come under fire by the Labor Opposition and Greens about allegations revealed by the ABC that TSS staff had exposed children to inappropriate discipline resulting in escalating behaviours and contributing to the hospitalisation of one child in its care.
Today in Question Time, Mr Jaensch confirmed the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) had investigated previous concerns about TSS.
He also confirmed that despite the ABC first contacting his office on May 15 about allegations made against TSS, he was not briefed until last night — nine days later.
"My recollection is that the interaction I had with the department last night made reference to a previous care concern that had been raised by this provider, and investigated and resolved to the satisfaction of the department," Mr Jaensch said.
Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said an ex-TSS employee had written a damning review about the provider online.
Ms O'Connor said the worker was employed up until early August last year when TSS took on children under care and protection orders.
She said the worker described TSS as being "totally unprofessional … unqualified management, a poor workplace culture, no training of new staff, very little induction or managerial support".
'Due diligence undertaken'
Mr Jaensch said TSS had met the requirements of the DHHS.
"Regarding staffing concerns and others, I have said that when we do engage specialist providers, due diligence processes are undertaken," he said.
Mr Jaensch said the DHHS was investigating further allegations published by the ABC.
The ABC understands the department is aware of the allegations.
Labor leader Rebecca White pointed Mr Jaensch to the 2016 DHHS investigation into Safe Pathways, the for-profit care provider which was stripped of its contracts with government following allegations of neglect.
"Less than two years ago, your department was forced to launch a wide-ranging investigation after the for-profit provider was found to have neglected 12 children in its care," Ms White said.
"Why was another for-profit provider, Total Support Services, subsequently contracted last year, which is now at the centre of very serious allegations exposing very vulnerable children to inappropriate discipline?"
Mr Jaensch said the DHHS took great care in ensuring children were safe.
"In the unfortunate circumstances where children need to be brought into care, and where they have special complex needs, specialist providers are used to respond to those cases for a shorter or long period of time," he said.
A spokeswoman from Total Support Services has said the allegations against the provider were inaccurate and declined to make further comment.
Topics: child-abuse, child-care, government-and-politics, child-health-and-behaviour, political-parties, tas
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