❓ In 2016, a WA parliamentary question revealed that a number of foster carers did not have current Working with Children checks, including those with children placed in their care. The response details the breakdown of these carers by departmental management or non-government service provider.
AnsweredQoN 4133Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Working with Children screening unit, and I ask: (a) as at 1 May 2016, how many foster carers did not have a current Working with Children check card; (b) as at 1 May 2016, how many foster carers with children placed did not have a current Working with Children check card; and (c) as at 1 May 2016, what was the breakdown of foster carers with children placed who do not have a current Working with Children check card by departmental management or non-government service provider?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
30 June 2016
Responded by
Minister for Planning representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
50 days
a) As at 1 May 2016, 191 foster carers did not have a current Working with Children check card. This total number of carers without a Working with Children check card includes carers who have not had a child placed for some time and are in the process of being reviewed or withdrawn.
b) As at 1 May 2016, 113 foster carers with children placed did not have a current Working with Children check card.
c) As at 1 May 2016, the breakdown of foster carers with children placed who do not have a current Working with Children check card is as follows:
- 76 departmental foster carers - 37 non-government service provider foster carers.
Where a child needs to be placed with a carer in an urgent situation the carer must apply for a WWC Check within five days of the child being placed in their care.
The Working with Children Act provides this five day threshold for urgent situations.
A Working With Children Card must be renewed every three years. The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has a range of mechanisms in place that assist carers to renew their WWC cards. These include:
b) As at 1 May 2016, 113 foster carers with children placed did not have a current Working with Children check card.
c) As at 1 May 2016, the breakdown of foster carers with children placed who do not have a current Working with Children check card is as follows:
- 76 departmental foster carers - 37 non-government service provider foster carers.
Where a child needs to be placed with a carer in an urgent situation the carer must apply for a WWC Check within five days of the child being placed in their care.
The Working with Children Act provides this five day threshold for urgent situations.
A Working With Children Card must be renewed every three years. The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has a range of mechanisms in place that assist carers to renew their WWC cards. These include:
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