❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks detailed information about children in emergency care placements, including the number awaiting long-term placement, duration of stay, and district breakdown. The Department of Communities' response indicates data limitations and emphasizes the dynamic nature of the child protection system.
AnsweredQoN 526Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to answer 5(e) of Questions Prior to Hearings for the Child Protection Budget Estimates 2025-26, which confirmed there were 125 children in emergency placements as of 30 June 2025, and I ask: (a) of the 125 children, how many were awaiting a long-term placement; (b) of these 125 children, how many have since transitioned into a long-term placement; (c) what was the longest amount of time any of the 125 had spent in emergency placement(s); (d) did any of the 125 children experience consecutive or back-to-back emergency care placements; (e) what is the maximum length of time for which an emergency placement may be approved; (f) at what point does the continuation of an emergency care placement require ministerial or departmental approval; and (g) will the Minister provide a breakdown of these 125 children by child protection district?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
6 days
The Department of Communities advises:
(a – g) Every effort is made to provide care arrangements that promote stability and connection for the child. The nature of the child protection system is dynamic and must be able to respond to the different needs of children on a daily basis, including ensuring they have a safe care arrangement that meets their needs at that point in time.
The dynamic nature of the child protection system means there will always be circumstances where Communities may be in the process of identifying different care arrangements for children in care, however, while this occurs every child has a care arrangement available.
The Child Protection information system does not record care arrangement types for children as being in a long-term placement or awaiting a long-term placement. Information regarding the detail of individual care arrangements is contained within individual case files and is not captured in a reportable format.
(a – g) Every effort is made to provide care arrangements that promote stability and connection for the child. The nature of the child protection system is dynamic and must be able to respond to the different needs of children on a daily basis, including ensuring they have a safe care arrangement that meets their needs at that point in time.
The dynamic nature of the child protection system means there will always be circumstances where Communities may be in the process of identifying different care arrangements for children in care, however, while this occurs every child has a care arrangement available.
The Child Protection information system does not record care arrangement types for children as being in a long-term placement or awaiting a long-term placement. Information regarding the detail of individual care arrangements is contained within individual case files and is not captured in a reportable format.
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