❓ Hon Nick Goiran asks about the implementation of universal FASD screening for children entering the child protection system, following a coroner's recommendation. The government acknowledges the intent but cites the lack of a universally accepted screening tool and outlines current assessment practices.
AnsweredQoN 202Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
KIMBERLEY SUICIDES —
CORONER'S REPORT — FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER
202. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the State Coroner's
recommendations arising from the inquest into the deaths of 13 children and
young people in the Kimberley region, delivered on 7 February 2019, and in
particular recommendation 1a that there be universal screening for foetal
alcohol spectrum disorder upon a child entering the child protection system for
the first time.
(1) Is universal FASD screening now
consistently being conducted in accordance with that recommendation?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) In what time frame is this
screening being implemented from the time a child enters the system?
(4) How many such FASD screening
assessments were completed in the 2020 calendar year?
CORONER'S REPORT — FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER
202. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the State Coroner's
recommendations arising from the inquest into the deaths of 13 children and
young people in the Kimberley region, delivered on 7 February 2019, and in
particular recommendation 1a that there be universal screening for foetal
alcohol spectrum disorder upon a child entering the child protection system for
the first time.
(1) Is universal FASD screening now
consistently being conducted in accordance with that recommendation?
(2) If no to (1), why not?
(3) In what time frame is this
screening being implemented from the time a child enters the system?
(4) How many such FASD screening
assessments were completed in the 2020 calendar year?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The answer is provided on behalf of the Minister
for Child Protection.
(1)–(2) As
outlined in the government's statement of intent on Aboriginal youth
suicide, the Western Australian government
supported the overall intent of the recommendation. There is presently no
universally accepted screening tool available for foetal alcohol spectrum
disorder and the accurate diagnosis of this condition requires assessment by a multidisciplinary
combination of clinicians. All children who come into care are required to have
an initial medical assessment with a general practitioner or other health
professional within 20 working days. The general practitioner can make any
referral as a result of this assessment, including for FASD.
(3) The time
frame varies depending upon the circumstances under which the child came into
care, as well as other factors, including trauma, that may complicate or
obscure problems that may lead to a hypothesis of FASD.
(4) There were 111 neurological and intelligence
quotient assessments undertaken in 2020. These assessments include
testing that screens and identifies potential FASD indicators. If these
indicators are present, a medical referral for the FASD assessment occurs.
some notice of the question. The answer is provided on behalf of the Minister
for Child Protection.
(1)–(2) As
outlined in the government's statement of intent on Aboriginal youth
suicide, the Western Australian government
supported the overall intent of the recommendation. There is presently no
universally accepted screening tool available for foetal alcohol spectrum
disorder and the accurate diagnosis of this condition requires assessment by a multidisciplinary
combination of clinicians. All children who come into care are required to have
an initial medical assessment with a general practitioner or other health
professional within 20 working days. The general practitioner can make any
referral as a result of this assessment, including for FASD.
(3) The time
frame varies depending upon the circumstances under which the child came into
care, as well as other factors, including trauma, that may complicate or
obscure problems that may lead to a hypothesis of FASD.
(4) There were 111 neurological and intelligence
quotient assessments undertaken in 2020. These assessments include
testing that screens and identifies potential FASD indicators. If these
indicators are present, a medical referral for the FASD assessment occurs.
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