❓ This WA parliamentary question seeks data on the implementation and effectiveness of Responsible Parenting Agreements by the Department for Child Protection. The answer reveals low uptake of formal agreements, preference for informal plans, and some positive outcomes from parenting support services.
AnsweredQoN 3481Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) For the period 1 September 2010 to 30 November 2010, how many Responsible Parenting Agreements have the Department for Child Protection implemented?
(2) How many of those Responsible Parenting Agreements listed above originated from a referral from another State Government Department, and how many were referred by each Department?
(3) How many parents approached to enter into a Responsible Parenting Agreement during this period, refused the agreement?
(4) How many Responsible Parenting Agreements included an agreement for the parents to, -
(a) take part in counselling or parenting skills training;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure their child attends school;
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure their child avoids contact with particular people or places; or
(d) undertake other measures?
(5) How many juveniles, whose parents agreed to a Responsible Parenting Agreement have, -
(a) improved their attendance at school; and
(b) re-offended since the Agreement was made?
(2) How many of those Responsible Parenting Agreements listed above originated from a referral from another State Government Department, and how many were referred by each Department?
(3) How many parents approached to enter into a Responsible Parenting Agreement during this period, refused the agreement?
(4) How many Responsible Parenting Agreements included an agreement for the parents to, -
(a) take part in counselling or parenting skills training;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure their child attends school;
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure their child avoids contact with particular people or places; or
(d) undertake other measures?
(5) How many juveniles, whose parents agreed to a Responsible Parenting Agreement have, -
(a) improved their attendance at school; and
(b) re-offended since the Agreement was made?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 March 2011
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
22 days
(1) Three.
The Department for Children Protection (the Department) also makes extensive use of informal agreements with parents to develop a plan aimed at addressing parenting issues. This planning occurs in response to the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and in particular through the Signs of Safety framework.
In addition, during the 2009-2010 financial year, 214 families completed informal plans with the Department's Parent Support service. The more formal Responsible Parenting Agreements are only taken up where the Department has not been able to successfully engage with families on an informal basis.
(2) One from Education.
The Department of Education indicates that it is currently utilising the provisions of the School Education Act 1999 to deal with issues of truancy. That department is in the process of reviewing and updating its attendance policy and procedures, including guidelines for the use of education-related Responsible Parenting Agreements.
The Department of Corrective Services engages with parents of young people subject to the Young Offenders Act 1994. That department also provides support and assistance to parents through the Youth and Family Support Services; a prevention and diversion service that aims to engage with families to prevent young people from becoming involved in the formal criminal justice system.
The use of Responsible Parenting Agreements provides a mechanism for these departments where the more informal or voluntary engagement practices are not working.
The Department for Child Protection is encouraging greater consideration of the use of Responsible Parenting Agreements through the development of a new
interagency group convened to review and address implementation of the Parent Support and Responsibility Act 2008.
(3) Four.
(4) (a) One.
(b) Three.
(c) One.
(d) Two.
(5) (a) Four.
(b) None of the Responsible Parenting Agreements related to offending behaviour.
The voluntary Parenting Support service is achieving its aims of enabling parents to re-establish and maintain authority to control their children's behaviour. For those families who completed the program in 2009; 38% of parents made significant gains; 54% made some gains and only 9% made no gains.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
The Department for Children Protection (the Department) also makes extensive use of informal agreements with parents to develop a plan aimed at addressing parenting issues. This planning occurs in response to the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and in particular through the Signs of Safety framework.
In addition, during the 2009-2010 financial year, 214 families completed informal plans with the Department's Parent Support service. The more formal Responsible Parenting Agreements are only taken up where the Department has not been able to successfully engage with families on an informal basis.
(2) One from Education.
The Department of Education indicates that it is currently utilising the provisions of the School Education Act 1999 to deal with issues of truancy. That department is in the process of reviewing and updating its attendance policy and procedures, including guidelines for the use of education-related Responsible Parenting Agreements.
The Department of Corrective Services engages with parents of young people subject to the Young Offenders Act 1994. That department also provides support and assistance to parents through the Youth and Family Support Services; a prevention and diversion service that aims to engage with families to prevent young people from becoming involved in the formal criminal justice system.
The use of Responsible Parenting Agreements provides a mechanism for these departments where the more informal or voluntary engagement practices are not working.
The Department for Child Protection is encouraging greater consideration of the use of Responsible Parenting Agreements through the development of a new
interagency group convened to review and address implementation of the Parent Support and Responsibility Act 2008.
(3) Four.
(4) (a) One.
(b) Three.
(c) One.
(d) Two.
(5) (a) Four.
(b) None of the Responsible Parenting Agreements related to offending behaviour.
The voluntary Parenting Support service is achieving its aims of enabling parents to re-establish and maintain authority to control their children's behaviour. For those families who completed the program in 2009; 38% of parents made significant gains; 54% made some gains and only 9% made no gains.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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