❓ Hon Barbara Scott asks about an audit of child abuse allegations by foster carers. Hon Ken Travers responds, confirming the audit, reporting 80 substantiated cases, and detailing an ongoing review process by the Department for Community Development.
AnsweredQoN 10Legislative Council
Asked
2 March 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
The West Australian of 28 January 2004 referred to a proposed audit of all alleged cases of child abuse by foster carers, and I ask the minister to inform the Parliament of the details of that proposed audit. (1) Has the audit been undertaken, and did it cover a period of 10 years, as was proposed? (2) If it has been undertaken, could the minister inform the Parliament of the number of instances that have been reported? (3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(1) Has the audit been undertaken, and did it cover a period of 10 years, as was proposed? (2) If it has been undertaken, could the minister inform the Parliament of the number of instances that have been reported? (3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(2) If it has been undertaken, could the minister inform the Parliament of the number of instances that have been reported? (3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(1) Has the audit been undertaken, and did it cover a period of 10 years, as was proposed? (2) If it has been undertaken, could the minister inform the Parliament of the number of instances that have been reported? (3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(2) If it has been undertaken, could the minister inform the Parliament of the number of instances that have been reported? (3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(3) Will the minister conduct an inquiry into the allegations? (4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(4) If an inquiry is to be conducted, what is the estimated cost of the inquiry? (5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(5) How many staff will be engaged to conduct the inquiry? (6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(6) Will the inquiry be conducted by the Department for Community Development or an independent person? Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
Hon KEN TRAVERS replied: On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
On behalf of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development, Women’s Interests, Seniors and Youth, I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(1) Yes. The period covered is 1993 to ongoing. (2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(2) There were 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 23 February 2004. (3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(3) At the direction of the minister, the Department for Community Development established a review process in May 2003 to identify, review and quality-assure all reported cases of physical, sexual and emotional abuse that are alleged to have occurred while children were in the care of the department. This work is ongoing. (4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(4) The review team established in June 2003 was created with the department’s existing resources. (5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(5) The review team consists of two full-time senior officers supported by four project officers to fast-track any work identified that will ensure the department’s duty of care to children is completed. (6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
(6) The review team comprises officers from the Department for Community Development. The officers are not reviewing cases in which they were involved, and are able to review objectively all actions taken.
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