Stabbed DOCS case worker wins

Date: 27 June 2008

The Public Service Association has won a case today on behalf of a DOCS child protection worker who was stabbed with a knife by a client's mother at work.

The case was brought against the Department of Community Services on the grounds that the department's Occupational Health and Safety systems failed to protect case workers from dangerous clients.

"Today's ruling is a break-through as it recognises the daily dangers faced by DOCS caseworkers," said Steve Turner, assistant secretary of the PSA.

"We took the decision to prosecute DOCS in order to get the Department to take poor safety conditions for staff more seriously.

"Hundreds of caseworkers are leaving this vital public service every year due to the stress and trauma of the role.

"We need to protect those who protect our state's children."

The DOCS Case Work Manager who walked into the middle of the attack was in Sydney today to hear the decision. He says workers feared for their lives when a child's violent mother walked into his Ballina office with a knife and stabbed a fellow case worker.

"The attack shows DOCS' so-called safety systems are not protecting workers from the known risks of violent clients at work," said Mr Turner on the case worker's behalf.

"DOCs case workers are already overworked so more staff leaving due to dangerous conditions will reduce the ability of DOCS to care for children in need.

"The PSA will continue to pursue the safety of vital public servants when the state does not."

For further information

Contact:	Steve Turner, Asst General Secretary
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	02 9220 0970
Contact Mobile:	0418 675 564
WWW:	http://www.psa.labor.net.au/

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