❓ Question regarding the shortage of foster carers in the South West region of WA, particularly in Manjimup, and the Department's efforts to recruit more carers. The Minister acknowledges the need and outlines recruitment strategies, but admits it remains a challenge.
AnsweredQoN 1170Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FOSTER
CARERS — SOUTH WEST REGION
1170. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to a recent article in the Manjimup–Bridgetown Times entitled ''Children at
risk as carers diminish'', which states that Manjimup children may be
forced to leave town and siblings could be separated unless more foster carers
are found.
(1) How many foster carers are needed in the South West
Region?
(2) What
efforts are being made by the Department for Child Protection and Family
Support to find more foster carers in regional towns such as Manjimup?
(3) What
success have these efforts had?
(4) Does the
minister agree with the assessment by the department that children could be
separated from their siblings and sent to Albany?
CARERS — SOUTH WEST REGION
1170. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to a recent article in the Manjimup–Bridgetown Times entitled ''Children at
risk as carers diminish'', which states that Manjimup children may be
forced to leave town and siblings could be separated unless more foster carers
are found.
(1) How many foster carers are needed in the South West
Region?
(2) What
efforts are being made by the Department for Child Protection and Family
Support to find more foster carers in regional towns such as Manjimup?
(3) What
success have these efforts had?
(4) Does the
minister agree with the assessment by the department that children could be
separated from their siblings and sent to Albany?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
department always needs foster carers, both general and relative, in all
regions. The department hopes that, as a result of the article in the Manjimup–Bridgetown Times , the
community will have a greater understanding and awareness of the need for
foster carers.
(2) The
department advertises regularly in local papers and through school newsletters,
and encourages existing carers to encourage other community members to consider
becoming foster carers. The department had a recent recruitment drive over the
festival weekend in Manjimup, which included a shopfront presence on the main
street.
(3) Recruitment
of foster carers continues to be a challenge. Since January 2014, the
department has received three applications for the Manjimup office; however,
none of these applicants live in Manjimup. In the great southern, where
Bridgetown and Manjimup are located, general foster carers make up about
one-third of all carers. Most carers are relative carers.
(4) When
foster carers are not available, children may be placed away from their home
town. There is the possibility that children will be separated when sibling
groups are large; however, the department will always consider this as a last
resort.
(1) The
department always needs foster carers, both general and relative, in all
regions. The department hopes that, as a result of the article in the Manjimup–Bridgetown Times , the
community will have a greater understanding and awareness of the need for
foster carers.
(2) The
department advertises regularly in local papers and through school newsletters,
and encourages existing carers to encourage other community members to consider
becoming foster carers. The department had a recent recruitment drive over the
festival weekend in Manjimup, which included a shopfront presence on the main
street.
(3) Recruitment
of foster carers continues to be a challenge. Since January 2014, the
department has received three applications for the Manjimup office; however,
none of these applicants live in Manjimup. In the great southern, where
Bridgetown and Manjimup are located, general foster carers make up about
one-third of all carers. Most carers are relative carers.
(4) When
foster carers are not available, children may be placed away from their home
town. There is the possibility that children will be separated when sibling
groups are large; however, the department will always consider this as a last
resort.
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