Hon Nick Goiran asks the Minister for Child Protection about a reported increase in Indigenous children entering care. The Minister acknowledges the increase but highlights a decreased growth rate compared to the previous year and a long-term downward trend.

AnsweredQoN 3002Legislative Council
Asked
23 June 2020
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the article published in The Australian on 10 June 2020 entitled “Spike in number of Indigenous kids placed in care”, in which it was reported that there has been a 4.7 percent increase in Indigenous children entering care since March 2019, and I ask: (a) is the Minister aware of the increased intake; and (b) what are the reasons for the increased intake?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
8 September 2020
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
9 days
(a) Yes.
(b) Children come into the care of the Department of Communities’ Chief Executive Officer for a number of reasons including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, family and domestic violence, neglect and wellbeing concerns.
While noting the total number of Aboriginal children in care from March 2019 to March 2020 has slightly increased, this represents a decreased growth rate from the previous year, and a long-term downward trend overall.

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