A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the number of children in care whose whereabouts are unknown, including those missing or unaccounted for, and the frequency of such incidents.

AnsweredQoN 698Legislative Council
Asked
12 June 2024
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

CHILDREN IN CARE —
WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
698. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the minister representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the answer to my question
without notice on 28 May 2024.
(1) Has the child recorded as
unaccounted for–not in contact been found?
(2) For how many days was the
whereabouts of the child unknown?
(3) How many
children who are in the care of the CEO have their whereabouts currently
recorded as —
(a) unaccounted for–in
contact;
(b) unaccounted for–not in
contact; and
(c) missing?
(4) In this calendar year, how many children have had
their whereabouts recorded in one of these three categories on more than
one occasion—in other words, repeat episodes?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the Minister for Child Protection. I note that the
response was correct as of yesterday, Tuesday, 11 June. The Department of Communities advises the following as of 11 June 2024.
(1) Yes.
(2) It was 19 days.
(3) (a) There are two children.
(b) There is nil.
(c) There is nil.
(4) There are 48
children. Out of the 48 children and young people, only 10 per cent of the instances
relate to the child or young person being recorded as missing.

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