Allegations of child mistreatment by Total Support Services is being probed, Minister says
Updated
For-profit service provider Total Support Services is being investigated over allegations of mistreatment of children with disabilities in its care, the Tasmanian Government says.
Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch came 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, denying he was unaware of the allegations communicated to his office nine days ago and published by the ABC today.
Mr Jaensch said he was briefed on Wednesday night about allegations made against TSS. He later issued a press release stating he had been briefed "multiple times" over the allegations against TSS first raised with his office by the ABC on May 15 and of the "new allegations that were raised late yesterday".
"Where concerns are raised regarding a child in care, there are well established processes to assess those claims and prioritise the safety of those children," the statement read.
"I receive regular briefings from my department and can confirm I have been briefed multiple times on concerns that were first raised by the ABC around Total Support Services on May 15, and of new allegations that were raised late yesterday."
Mr Jaensch said "all and any allegations are always investigated fully and professionals who provide services to children and families in Tasmania are mandatory reporters of child abuse, under the Act".
He accused Labor and the Greens as being "clearly not interested in the safety of children, they are only interested in playing political games".
"It is time to put child safety issues above petty politics and stop trying to undermine this critical reform.
"I urge anyone, including Labor and the Greens, with any concerns for the safety of a child to call the Child Safety Service on 1300 737 639."
Earlier today in Parliament, 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?"
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".
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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