CHILDREN IN CARE — WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
531. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's
answer to my question without notice 350 asked on 10 May 2022 in which the
house was informed that five children in the care of the CEO were recorded in the
placement type ''unknown'', and that one had been reported to the
WA Police Force as missing.
(1) Have these children been found?
(2) For how many days have each of
the children had their whereabouts recorded as unknown?
(3) How many
other children who are in the care of the CEO have their whereabouts currently
recorded as unknown, and how many have been reported to WA police as a missing
person?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) All the children
referred to on 10 May 2022 are no longer recorded as placement type ''unknown''.
(3) As of 15 June
2022, there are currently eight children recorded in the placement type ''unknown''.
One of these children has been reported missing to the WA Police Force. The
term ''whereabouts unknown'' or language
such as ''found'' may lead to the assumption that every child
with a placement type of ''unknown'' is a missing person,
not in contact with caseworkers and unable to be supported by the Department of
Communities. This is not always the case. Although a child is recorded in a placement
type ''unknown'', they may still be in contact with their
caseworker or other safety networks.