❓ This parliamentary question and answer reveal ongoing concerns about the whereabouts of children in the care of the WA Department of Child Protection, with several children still unaccounted for or missing, and some having been missing for extended periods.
AnsweredQoN 483Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Children in care–Whereabouts unknown
483. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Child
Protection:
I refer to the
answer on 7 May 2026 to my question without notice 308.
(1) Has the one child that the department
reported to WA police as a missing person been found?
(2) Have the whereabouts of the nine
children record as "unaccounted for, in contact" now known?
(3) For how many days were the
whereabouts of the 10 children unknown and has the minister or the senior
leadership received any reports that one or more of these children were victims
of crime during this period?
(4) How many children who are in the care
of the CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) unaccounted for, in contact;
(b) unaccounted for, not in contact; and
(c) missing?
483. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Child
Protection:
I refer to the
answer on 7 May 2026 to my question without notice 308.
(1) Has the one child that the department
reported to WA police as a missing person been found?
(2) Have the whereabouts of the nine
children record as "unaccounted for, in contact" now known?
(3) For how many days were the
whereabouts of the 10 children unknown and has the minister or the senior
leadership received any reports that one or more of these children were victims
of crime during this period?
(4) How many children who are in the care
of the CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:
(a) unaccounted for, in contact;
(b) unaccounted for, not in contact; and
(c) missing?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the Leader
of the Opposition for some notice of the question and I answer on behalf of the
Minister for Agriculture and Food. The answer provided to me is accurate as of
9 June 2026.
(1) The whereabouts of the one young
person was known; however, the young person is currently listed as "unaccounted
for, not in contact".
(2) The whereabouts of eight of the young
people are now known. The whereabouts of one of the young people is unknown;
however, they remain in contact.
(3) The period the 10 young people's
whereabouts were unknown ranges between one day and 90 days. When a child or
young person is located, every effort is made to ensure they are safe and have
the service and supports they require. Any disclosures related to these 10
children will have been managed in accordance with the reporting requirements
of the Child Protection Guide .
(4) There are:
(a) two;
(b) two; and
(c) one.
of the Opposition for some notice of the question and I answer on behalf of the
Minister for Agriculture and Food. The answer provided to me is accurate as of
9 June 2026.
(1) The whereabouts of the one young
person was known; however, the young person is currently listed as "unaccounted
for, not in contact".
(2) The whereabouts of eight of the young
people are now known. The whereabouts of one of the young people is unknown;
however, they remain in contact.
(3) The period the 10 young people's
whereabouts were unknown ranges between one day and 90 days. When a child or
young person is located, every effort is made to ensure they are safe and have
the service and supports they require. Any disclosures related to these 10
children will have been managed in accordance with the reporting requirements
of the Child Protection Guide .
(4) There are:
(a) two;
(b) two; and
(c) one.
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