❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the whereabouts of children in care. The Minister provides updates on the status of missing children and changes to placement type nomenclature.
AnsweredQoN 623Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILDREN IN CARE — WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN
623. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the minister representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
answer to my question without notice 432 asked on 9 May 2023.
(1) Have the two
children recorded in the placement type ''unknown—in contact''
been found?
(2) Have the two
other children reported to Western Australia Police Force as a missing person
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?
623. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the minister representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
answer to my question without notice 432 asked on 9 May 2023.
(1) Have the two
children recorded in the placement type ''unknown—in contact''
been found?
(2) Have the two
other children reported to Western Australia Police Force as a missing person
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 response 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
or young person's placement type. 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 in their approved placement. The Department of
Communities and WA Police Force work to contact and locate the young person and
ensure their safety. Communities and WA Police have aligned nomenclature
regarding missing children that includes updating the previous placement type
of unknown—in contact and missing children with the following placement
types: unaccounted for—in contact; unaccounted for—not in
contact; and, missing.
(1) Yes, one child. One child continues
to be recorded as unaccounted for—in contact.
(2) Yes.
(3) Each located child was recorded
as missing for 26 days and 11 days.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) (a) None; and
(b) unaccounted for—not in
contact, four children, and unaccounted for—in contact, three children.
(6) Not applicable.
some notice of the question. The following response 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
or young person's placement type. 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 in their approved placement. The Department of
Communities and WA Police Force work to contact and locate the young person and
ensure their safety. Communities and WA Police have aligned nomenclature
regarding missing children that includes updating the previous placement type
of unknown—in contact and missing children with the following placement
types: unaccounted for—in contact; unaccounted for—not in
contact; and, missing.
(1) Yes, one child. One child continues
to be recorded as unaccounted for—in contact.
(2) Yes.
(3) Each located child was recorded
as missing for 26 days and 11 days.
(4) Not applicable.
(5) (a) None; and
(b) unaccounted for—not in
contact, four children, and unaccounted for—in contact, three children.
(6) Not applicable.
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