KIMBERLEY SUICIDES —
CORONER'S REPORT — RECOMMENDATIONS
228. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the State Coroner's
recommendations arising from the inquest into the deaths of 13 children and
young people in the Kimberley region,
delivered on 7 February 2019, and in particular to recommendation 1c which
addresses requirements in respect of a child entering the child
protection system for the first time, in addition to foetal alcohol spectrum
disorder universal screening.
(1) Are all
children entering the system for the first time now having preliminary
assessments and screening undertaken by Department of Communities'
district psychologists?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) How many
referrals were made in the 2020 calendar year for comprehensive IQ and functional
capacity assessments where and when required by presentation and behaviours?
(4) Which
other treatment and therapy services for trauma-related developmental and
behavioural issues are such children being referred to?
(5) Further to (4), how many such referrals were made in the
2020 calendar year?
Hon SAMANTHA ROWE replied:
I thank the member for some notice of the question. I provide
the following answer on behalf of the Minister for Child Protection.
(1)–(2)
As outlined in the government's Statement of intent on Aboriginal
youth suicide, the Western Australian government
supported the overall intent of the recommendation. There is presently no
universally accepted screening tool available for FASD and the accurate
diagnosis of this condition requires assessment by a multidisciplinary combination of clinicians. All children who come
into care are required to have an initial medical assessment with a general practitioner or other health
professional within 20 working days. Children in the care of the Department of Communities have access to
developmental, neuropsychological and cognitive assessments to identify
strengths and weaknesses and establish the presence of relevant diagnoses.
(3) There were 111 external referrals made for comprehensive
IQ and functional capacity assessments.
(4) Referral
depends on the availability of, and access to, services, especially in regional
and remote areas. Children receive a variety of therapies including cognitive
behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing.
(5) There were
869 external referrals made for therapeutic services.