Workforce

Carpentaria Shire Council forced to close Normanton site after recruitment fails

Freya Lucas

May 27, 2022

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The Normanton Childcare Centre, a 29 place long day care setting which is operated by Carpentaria Shire Council, has been forced to close temporarily from 24 June to 11 July after extensive recruitment efforts by the Council failed to secure qualified staff.

Last assessed and rated in 2017, the service operates from 7:30 - 5:30 five days a week, and also offers before and after school care, meaning the closure is likely to have a significant impact to those families using the service.

Normanton is one of a number of Queensland outback communities who are struggling to attract and retain the staff needed to ensure continuity of care, with Julia Creek experiencing similar issues.

“Council has tried unsuccessfully to recruit suitably qualified staff,” a statement from the Council read. “Housing has been offered as part of the package but to date we have not received any applications.”

The Council does not have the capacity to backfill the role with existing staff, asking the community for support, looking for any community members holding a Diploma in Children’s Services, a Blue Card and a First Aid Certificate to come forward and offer their support to keep the service open.

“Should Council not be able to recruit suitably qualified staff by 11 July the Centre shall remain closed until further notice,” the statement continued, noting that the service may open in the future under a different operating model.

Further information is available on the Council website, here.

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