Now, Jasmine says the options are even more dire.
“Before the pandemic, the number of children coming into care was increasing. COVID-19 is really going to impact vulnerable families,” she told The Quicky.
With financial stress, job losses, and self-isolation, Jasmine says they’re worried about increases in family violence.
“We know it’s a big problem in Australia. We are predicting we’re only going to see another spike in notifications to child protection and subsequently children coming into care.”
Jasmine says there’s a lack of protective gear across all healthcare sectors, hers included, and yet they still have social workers meeting with families and going into homes.
She has this message for the public: “If people are willing and able to open their homes to children and young people, if you’ve ever thought about doing that, now is the time”.