❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the whereabouts of children in care, specifically those recorded as 'missing' or 'unknown—in contact'. The Minister provides answers regarding the status and duration of these cases.
AnsweredQoN 43Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILDREN IN CARE — WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
43. Hon
NICK GOIRAN to the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the answer to my
question without notice 1290, answered on 29 November 2022.
(1) Has the child recorded in the
placement type ''unknown—in contact'' been found?
(2) Have the four children reported
to the Western Australia Police Force as missing persons been found?
(3) For how many days was each
located child recorded as missing?
(4) For how many days has each
remaining child been recorded as missing?
(5) How many children who are in
the care of the CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as —
(a) a missing person; and
(b) unknown—in contact?
(6) Further to (5), how many have
been reported to WA police as a missing person?
43. Hon
NICK GOIRAN to the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the answer to my
question without notice 1290, answered on 29 November 2022.
(1) Has the child recorded in the
placement type ''unknown—in contact'' been found?
(2) Have the four children reported
to the Western Australia Police Force as missing persons been found?
(3) For how many days was each
located child recorded as missing?
(4) For how many days has each
remaining child been recorded as missing?
(5) How many children who are in
the care of the CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as —
(a) a missing person; and
(b) unknown—in contact?
(6) Further to (5), how many have
been reported to WA police as a missing person?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Child Protection.
Children and young people may move between living
arrangements, which are recorded by case management in the child's or
young person's placement type. A child is recorded in a placement type ''unknown—in
contact'' if the young person is unwilling to disclose their location
but is still in contact with their caseworker or other safety networks that
keep in contact with them.
If the child cannot be located or
contacted, they are recorded in placement type ''missing child'',
and a missing person's report is submitted to the Western Australia
Police Force. The Department of Communities and police work to contact and
locate the child and ensure their safety.
Many of these children are
teenagers. Every child still has access to the same supports that would be made
available to them if they were residing with their approved placement.
The Department of Communities has
provided the following advice.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes. One child has further
absconded and is currently recorded as a missing child.
(3)–(4) They
were missing for six days; 18 days; 41 days; and 20 days, before further
absconding and currently recorded as missing for 20 days.
(5) (a) There are two children.
(b) There are four children.
(6) There are two children.
some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Child Protection.
Children and young people may move between living
arrangements, which are recorded by case management in the child's or
young person's placement type. A child is recorded in a placement type ''unknown—in
contact'' if the young person is unwilling to disclose their location
but is still in contact with their caseworker or other safety networks that
keep in contact with them.
If the child cannot be located or
contacted, they are recorded in placement type ''missing child'',
and a missing person's report is submitted to the Western Australia
Police Force. The Department of Communities and police work to contact and
locate the child and ensure their safety.
Many of these children are
teenagers. Every child still has access to the same supports that would be made
available to them if they were residing with their approved placement.
The Department of Communities has
provided the following advice.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes. One child has further
absconded and is currently recorded as a missing child.
(3)–(4) They
were missing for six days; 18 days; 41 days; and 20 days, before further
absconding and currently recorded as missing for 20 days.
(5) (a) There are two children.
(b) There are four children.
(6) There are two children.
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