Wednesday 15 January 2014

Child Support in Question

Staff at Hunter drug and rehab centre The Glen are preparing to sit down for compromise talks with the Department of Human Services.

The discussions come on the back of community outrage at the scrapping of a successful Child Support Outreach service.

The Glen is hoping anger at the axing will hold them in good stead for a revamped program, as they make arrangements to enter the negotiations.

There are fears cutting the Outreach service altogether could result in misinformation about the financial circumstances of The Glen's clients, meaning payments to ex-partners would be forfeited.

But CEO Joe Coyte says staff are only seeking the best outcome for fathers and families who benefit from the program.

"We just hope our clients get the opportunity to re-engage with important Government services such as child support."

"This way they can move on with their lives, and the ex-partners, mothers and children can move on with theirs."

Joe Coyte is warning the Government there could be a detrimental flow-on effect, if they fail to deliver on their promises for an improved Outreach service replacing the program already cut.

"The clients have got a good relationship with us, and we encourage them to go and see Child Support."

"They help clients get updated information into system, who then have often found the payments were actually quite affordable...and they move forward."