DCP blasted by ex-worker
A former Laverton-based child protection worker has lashed out at her former bosses, arguing a lack of staff training and poor standards and practices have left the Department of Child Protection and Family Support at crisis point in the Northern Goldfields.
Zelda Edwardes, who worked for the DCPFS for three months before her termination last year, said a string of incidents-including three staff members almost becoming stranded during a trip to Tjuntjuntjara and a child protection team losing a teenage girl in their care in Warburton-prompted her to speak out.
While her employment was terminated last year over issues relating to "inconsistent" performance and professional conduct, Ms Edwardes said she received little to no training before starting the highly-sensitive role in the Laverton community.
"It was a complete nightmare, and I found out that I lasted three months and most people last two weeks," she said.
"Then I started to realise it wasn't me, once I started opening up (to people in Laverton) I realised DCP had such a bad reputation in town for not caring."
After just a few weeks on the job, she was sent to the Tjuntjuntjara community, a journey she said was categorised by breaches of established safety guidelines.
During the 500km journey, the three-member DCP team lost its way, got a flat tyre and almost ran out of petrol.
Matters were compounded when they discovered there was only one spare tyre, the team did not know where tools were located and were without a torch.
During a trip to Warburton weeks later, Ms Edwardes said DCPFS workers lost a teenage girl under their care, and had to drive around the community for hours to try and locate her.
Responding to questions from the Kalgoorlie Miner yesterday, the DCPFS said it took the safety and effective practices of all its employees very seriously.
"Any feedback or concerns raised are treated appropriately to ensure any improvements can be made," DCPFS director-general Emma White said.
Ms White also sought to answer Ms Edwardes' concerns in a letter dated November 21, 2014.
"I have considered your request to be reinstated as a CPW in light of the information you provided and have decided that your employment should not be reinstated," she said.
"I believe that the appropriate decision was reached based on the identified concerns."
Ms White also told Ms Edwardes concerns raised over workplace safety were being investigated and, if necessary, would be addressed.
