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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 2481 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 September 2019 by Hon Nick Goiran

Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection
Parliament: 40 Session: 1


Question

I refer to your answer to my question without notice No. 822 in which you informed the House that in the first six months of 2019, the Department’s Goldfields District received 73 notifications, and I ask:
(a) were 5 of the 73 notifications of child sexual abuse during this period substantiated;
(b) of the other 68 notifications, how many were referred to other agencies; and
(c) further to (b), which agencies received those referrals?

Answered on 22 October 2019

(a) Yes

(b) Section 31 of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 enables the Department of Communities to receive information that raises concerns about a child’s wellbeing.  This information is called a “notification” for reporting purposes.  Section 31 enables the Chief Executive Officer to make enquiries as considered reasonably necessary for the purpose of determining whether action should be taken to safeguard or promote the child’s wellbeing.  All notifications should be recorded and assessed using the Interaction Tool. There are three possible outcomes from a notification; no further action, referral to another agency, progress to an initial inquiry.  This information is held on individual case files and, as such, it would impose a significant administrative burden on Communities to source this data.

(c) Not applicable.