Question On Notice No. 2034 asked in the Legislative Council on 19 March 2019 by Hon Nick Goiran
Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
I refer to your media statement on 12 March 2019 relating to WA Foster Carers Week, which stated “On 31 January, 2019 there were 2,043 foster carer households in Western Australia with 5,262 children in care. The majority of children in care are in family care arrangements, but where this is not possible foster carers provide a safe and stable home for children in care”, and I ask:
(a) of the 5,262 children in care on 1 January 2019, how many were in:
(i) foster carer households; and
(ii) family care arrangements;
(b) for children in foster carer households, how many had been in foster care for:
(i) less than 6 months;
(ii) between 6 months and two years;
(iii) between 2-5 years; and
(iv) 5 years or more; and
(c) for children in family care arrangements, how many had been in family care for:
(i) less than 6 months;
(ii) between 6 months and two years;
(iii) between 2-5 years; and
(iv) 5 years or more?
Answered on 7 May 2019
(a) Of the 5,262 children in care on 31 January 2019:
(i) 1,936
(ii) 2,380
Please note, a further 946 children in care were in other placements including residential care.
(b) For the 1,936 children in general foster carer households:
(i) 403
(ii) 500
(iii) 539
(iv) 494
(c) For the 2,380 children in family foster carer arrangements:
(i) 621
(ii) 656
(iii) 643
(iv) 460