❓ A parliamentary question addresses child neglect, requesting the tabling of relevant policies and risk assessment frameworks. The Minister acknowledges the need for a specific policy and provides existing resources.
AnsweredQoN 69Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILD NEGLECT
I refer to child neglect. Given that this is a very serious problem, both in terms of the number of children who are at risk of harm and in terms of the severity of the harm incurred, including loss of life, I ask - (1) Will the minister table the department’s policy on child neglect? (2) Will the minister table the risk of harm framework that is used by the department to identify neglect? (3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to child neglect. Given that this is a very serious problem, both in terms of the number of children who are at risk of harm and in terms of the severity of the harm incurred, including loss of life, I ask - (1) Will the minister table the department’s policy on child neglect? (2) Will the minister table the risk of harm framework that is used by the department to identify neglect? (3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(1) Will the minister table the department’s policy on child neglect? (2) Will the minister table the risk of harm framework that is used by the department to identify neglect? (3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(2) Will the minister table the risk of harm framework that is used by the department to identify neglect? (3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
[See paper 2537.]
(1) Will the minister table the department’s policy on child neglect? (2) Will the minister table the risk of harm framework that is used by the department to identify neglect? (3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(2) Will the minister table the risk of harm framework that is used by the department to identify neglect? (3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(3) Does the department have a stand-alone policy on child neglect? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(1) The department is in the process of developing a new policy on child neglect. The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing - Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
Hon Robyn McSweeney : That’s what you always say. Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
Hon SUE ELLERY : Does the member want the answer or not? The answer continues - The department’s existing policy position on safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing, including safety, of children and young people in need of protection because of child abuse and neglect is described in the child protection policy, which is tabled. A description of neglect is on page 13 of the child protection policy. In addition, the department has produced an information resource for professionals working with children and young people on “Identifying and responding to child abuse and neglect”, which I also table. The booklet seeks to promote professionals’ understanding of what constitutes child abuse and neglect, and what actions to take if concerned about a child’s wellbeing. A description of neglect is on page 8 of the booklet. (2) Yes. The department uses the child safety assessment framework to identify and inform critical decision making. (3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
(3) The department is in the process of developing a stand-alone policy on child neglect. [See paper 2537.]
[See paper 2537.]
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