Queensland's child safety officers continue to respond to a growing number of children in care, while working with families presenting with multiple risks and complex needs.
The latest quarterly child safety data, which covers the 12 months to 31 March 2021, shows demand for family support and child protection services throughout the state remains on the rise.
Minister for Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard said despite increasing pressures on the child safety system, there had been some recent key improvements.
"The number of investigations commenced by Child Safety in the last year is up by seven per cent to 26,035, which is 1,771 more commenced investigations when compared to the same period last year," Ms Linard said.
"The number of investigations which began on time is also up to 13,896 or 53 per cent, an increase of almost 30 per cent when compared to the previous year.
"Importantly, 95 per cent of investigations in our most critical cases, our 24-hour cases, were commenced on time, meaning we are there when children and families need us most."
Ms Linard said the Queensland Government was dedicated to protecting children and young people who had been harmed or were at risk of harm.
"The number of children in care in Queensland continued to rise to 10,929 as at 31 March 2021, compared to 10,190 in the previous year," she said.
"I thank all 5,785 Queenslanders who provide care for these children when they are unable to stay at home safely, especially the 1,689 first-time carers that joined in the last year."
Ms Linard said Queensland's child protection system was continuing to work with families experiencing multiple risks, which in turn was increasing demand for services.
"There's no doubt parents coming into contact with the child safety system are dealing with a multitude of risk factors, including domestic and family violence, drug and alcohol issues, mental illness, criminal histories and child abuse," she said.
"Three out of every four households had more than one of these risk factors, adding to already complex and difficult home circumstances which is being further exacerbated by COVID.
"The use of methamphetamines continues to impact some Queensland families, with 42 per cent of children who came into care had a parent with methamphetamine use recorded. In almost 70 per cent of these cases, the type of methamphetamine was ice.
"However, help is available for families and they should seek it as early as possible.
"Families can call 13 FAMILY (13 32 64) and be referred to their local Family and Child Connect service."
For more data information visit www.csyw.qld.gov.au/child-family/our-performance
