❓ Question on Notice regarding the placement of a vulnerable child with a known sexual abuser and the availability of suitable care placements following a critical review. The Minister acknowledges awareness, but provides a vague response about future commitments instead of direct answers.
AnsweredQoN 649Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the disturbing case of Macie and Lee, in which
the Department of Communities placed a vulnerable young girl, Macie, with a
known sexual abuser, Lee, in a residential care home, leading to Macie being
abused by Lee, and the subsequent report from the Commissioner for Children and
Young People’s Independent Review Into The Department Of Communities’ Policies
And Practices Into The Placement Of Children With Harmful Sexual Behaviours In
Residential Care Settings , tabled on 15 September 2021, and I ask: (a) is
the Minister aware that the review report states “the decision not to move
Macie or Lee from their shared placement was likely indicative of a broader
and ongoing departmental issue regarding a lack of suitable temporary and
long term care placements for vulnerable children and young people and/or
children who pose a risk to others, and for children and young people in
general. Information provided to the Review showed that family, foster
care and residential care placements are all limited and insufficient”; (b) have any additional family, foster and/or
residential care placements been secured since this report was released; (c) if yes to (b), how many and in which category; and (d) if no to (b), why not?
the Department of Communities placed a vulnerable young girl, Macie, with a
known sexual abuser, Lee, in a residential care home, leading to Macie being
abused by Lee, and the subsequent report from the Commissioner for Children and
Young People’s Independent Review Into The Department Of Communities’ Policies
And Practices Into The Placement Of Children With Harmful Sexual Behaviours In
Residential Care Settings , tabled on 15 September 2021, and I ask: (a) is
the Minister aware that the review report states “the decision not to move
Macie or Lee from their shared placement was likely indicative of a broader
and ongoing departmental issue regarding a lack of suitable temporary and
long term care placements for vulnerable children and young people and/or
children who pose a risk to others, and for children and young people in
general. Information provided to the Review showed that family, foster
care and residential care placements are all limited and insufficient”; (b) have any additional family, foster and/or
residential care placements been secured since this report was released; (c) if yes to (b), how many and in which category; and (d) if no to (b), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 May 2022
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
4 days
(a) Yes.
(b) – (d) Between 15 September 2021 and 31 March 2022:
The Department of Communities has committed to increase the number of Residential Group Homes in regional WA over the next four years.
(b) – (d) Between 15 September 2021 and 31 March 2022:
The Department of Communities has committed to increase the number of Residential Group Homes in regional WA over the next four years.
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