Child Protection Caseworkers throughout NSW were honoured in September for Child Protection Week.

The PSA CPSU NSW put on a lunch at Bankstown Community Services Centre to celebrate the work they do with some of the state’s most vulnerable children.

The union also organised a morning tea at Ingleburn/Macarthur Community Services Centre on the same day.

“Our members working at Community Services perform some of the most vital work in the state,” said PSA CPSU General Secretary NSW Stewart Little. “Child Protection Week gives our members in this important field the recognition they deserve. Like all our members, they are Champions of the State. Our members in Child Protection face issues such as burn out in the workplace.

“The average time workers spend in this harrowing job is about 18 months.”

PSA Organiser Belinda Tsirekas said according to the dashboard used by the Department, only 23 per cent of children in need of intervention were seen by a Child Protection Caseworker.

“This shows the service is in dire need of more funding, better pay and working conditions and a level of resources that is up to the challenge,” said Ms Tsirekas.