Youth worker numbers at Ashley have been too low for too long.

Although we’ve been raising this issue continuously for over a year, and worker representatives have formally warned management through the workplace health and safety system, and despite the fact that the operational roster has been covered by overtime for months, only 4 youth workers were at work to run the centre yesterday, and there was only 3 on the afternoon shift.

This is unacceptable and unsafe for workers and young people. We have talked to members before about what we think of being in a unit alone. You should not expose yourself to risk. You will be responsible for anything that goes wrong.

Ultimately, your employer is obliged to provide a workplace free from risk, and you have every right to stop any unsafe work.

We’ll be in touch with delegates and members more in coming days, but please do not accept placing yourself at risk. The implications on the young people at Ashley are sad, avoidable and a blight on those responsible, but it is not the fault of youth workers.

We’ll follow up with the Department of Communities on how to fix this issue and will keep you updated.