❓ Hon Nick Goiran asks the Minister for Child Protection about the number of children in care who are missing or whose whereabouts are unknown, and the duration of their missing status. The Minister provides specific figures and clarifies the recording process for missing children.
AnsweredQoN 1290Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILDREN IN CARE — WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
1290. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the answer to question
without notice 1109, answered on 15 November 2022.
(1) How many of the five children
recorded as a ''missing person'' have been found?
(2) For how many days was each
located child recorded as missing?
(3) For how many days has each
remaining child been recorded as missing?
(4) 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?
(5) Further to
(4), how many have been reported to the Western Australia Police Force as a missing
person?
1290. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the answer to question
without notice 1109, answered on 15 November 2022.
(1) How many of the five children
recorded as a ''missing person'' have been found?
(2) For how many days was each
located child recorded as missing?
(3) For how many days has each
remaining child been recorded as missing?
(4) 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?
(5) Further to
(4), how many have been reported to the Western Australia Police Force as a missing
person?
AnswerView source ↗
Just before I give the answer to
this question, I am advised that the Minister for Finance had to leave
Parliament early today for urgent personal reasons. Members were advised, I think
by email, that he would not be available to answer questions.
With respect to Hon Nick Goiran's
question, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
Children
and young people may move between living arrangements, which are recorded by
case management in the child or young person's placement type. A
child is recorded in a placement type ''unknown—in contact''
when 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. Every child still
has access to the same supports that would be made available to them if they
were residing in their approved placement.
(1) Three have
been found. One was located before further absconding and is currently again
recorded as a missing child.
(2) They were missing for nine days, 12 days and 11
days respectively. In the case of the young person missing for 11 days,
that person was located and then further absconded. This young person has
currently been recorded as a missing child for five days.
(3) They have been recorded as
missing for 32 days and 20 days.
(4) (a) Four children; and
(b) one child.
(5) Four children have been
reported.
this question, I am advised that the Minister for Finance had to leave
Parliament early today for urgent personal reasons. Members were advised, I think
by email, that he would not be available to answer questions.
With respect to Hon Nick Goiran's
question, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
Children
and young people may move between living arrangements, which are recorded by
case management in the child or young person's placement type. A
child is recorded in a placement type ''unknown—in contact''
when 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. Every child still
has access to the same supports that would be made available to them if they
were residing in their approved placement.
(1) Three have
been found. One was located before further absconding and is currently again
recorded as a missing child.
(2) They were missing for nine days, 12 days and 11
days respectively. In the case of the young person missing for 11 days,
that person was located and then further absconded. This young person has
currently been recorded as a missing child for five days.
(3) They have been recorded as
missing for 32 days and 20 days.
(4) (a) Four children; and
(b) one child.
(5) Four children have been
reported.
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