Overworked social workers who are responsible for protecting South Australia's neglected children say they're at "breaking point" because of understaffing.
Families SA workers are calling on the government to intervene to prevent the next child protection "tragedy" such as the high-profile death of four-year-old Chloe Valentine in 2012.
"Members are at breaking point - overworked, under-resourced and worried about the cases they simply don't have time to get to," SA Public Service Association general secretary Nev Kitchin said on Monday.
Chloe died from head injuries after she was forced to ride a motorbike that she repeatedly crashed in the backyard of her Adelaide home.
Families SA had received multiple notifications about her.
Mr Kitchin said social workers didn't expect an overnight solution to their workload crisis but needed short-term relief and a long-term plan.
"It's not uncommon for staff to have up to 20 cases on the go at one time when the number should be closer to 12," he said.
Mr Kitchin also said Child Development Minister Susan Close hadn't responded to the PSA's plea for help.
In a statement provided to AAP, Dr Close said the nature of the work meant it was often difficult to attract and retain social workers.
"I have visited a number of Families SA offices in the past year and heard first-hand the challenges they face and continue to support them through this period," she said.
The Department for Education and Child Development said it had hired more Families SA staff and formed a workload management group among other measures.
It was confident it could keep reducing vacancies over time.
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