CHILDREN IN CARE —
TEMPORARY EMERGENCY PLACEMENTS
1039. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I ask this question in behalf of Hon
Nick Goiran, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I refer to question without notice
986 in which the minister said that in reference to a case being brought to
light by the WAtoday article '''Into the fire': The WA
government took eight kids from their parents and put them here'', she
was satisfied that the conditions had been remedied because the department had
met with the service provider to discuss the issues raised and because the
suitability of both the service provider and property is assessed on a case-by-case
basis.
(1) What
follow-up has been undertaken by the department to verify that the issues discussed
with the service provider have been addressed and when did this occur?
(2) On what date
was this property assessed as being suitable for placement of this type and who
made that assessment?
(3) Did the
department's assessment of the service provider as suitable for this
type of placement include a number of personnel on shift to care for the
children and their required qualifications?
(4) If no to (3),
why not?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
Department of Communities is unable to comment on individual cases involving
children and young people. To do so would be contrary to the intent of the
Children and Community Services Act 2004. Communities is satisfied with actions
undertaken relating to this case and continues to work with the service
provider, including meeting regularly.
(3) The
suitability of a service provider is assessed on a case-by-case basis and
matched to the individual circumstances and needs of the child and/or family.
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children is a priority.
(4) Not
applicable.