❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding discrepancies in the Child Protection Guide concerning emergency care procedures and responsibilities, particularly outside of standard business hours. The Minister provides clarification on the roles of the Care Arrangement Hub and the Statewide Referral and Response Service (SRRS) in managing care arrangements.
AnsweredQoN 527Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to answer 5(g) of Questions Prior to Hearings for the Child Protection Budget Estimates 2025-26, which stated that “processes relating to care arrangements, including emergency care, are outlined in section D.08” of the Child Protection Guide, and I ask: (a) is the Minister aware that section D.08 of the Child Protection Guide provides no information about emergency care other than listing it as one of the responsibilities of the Matching and Referral Team; (b) further to (a), what is meant by (weekdays between 3-5pm)? Does this mean that another team manages emergency care outside of these hours; and (c) can the Minister please provide a document or information that specifically outlines the procedure for placing a child into emergency care?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
6 days
The Department of Communities advises:
(a – c) The Child Protection Guide (Guide) provides practice guidance to support the Department of Communities (Communities) delivery of child safety, family support and out-of-home-care services in Western Australia.
The Care Arrangement Hub manages the referral and matching process of children by organising care arrangements when no district care arrangements are available. The matching process is an important part of identifying care arrangements that best meet the child’s needs at that point in time.
The first priority will always be to locate a care arrangement with family or significant others, and if that is not possible then a local care arrangement within a District is sought via departmental foster carers. Where a District is unable to provide a suitable care arrangement that best meets the child’s needs, a care arrangement referral is submitted to the Care Arrangement Hub (the Hub).
Once a referral is received the Hub will liaise with out of home care providers to identify a care arrangement that best matches the young person’s needs, including situations where emergency care may be required. If a care arrangement from within District arrangements has been unable to be identified prior to 3pm, then a referral through the Care Arrangement Hub can be made.
Where care arrangements are required outside working hours after 5pm (weekdays) or weekends/public holidays, the Statewide Referral and Response Service (SRRS) will manage care arrangements.
(a – c) The Child Protection Guide (Guide) provides practice guidance to support the Department of Communities (Communities) delivery of child safety, family support and out-of-home-care services in Western Australia.
The Care Arrangement Hub manages the referral and matching process of children by organising care arrangements when no district care arrangements are available. The matching process is an important part of identifying care arrangements that best meet the child’s needs at that point in time.
The first priority will always be to locate a care arrangement with family or significant others, and if that is not possible then a local care arrangement within a District is sought via departmental foster carers. Where a District is unable to provide a suitable care arrangement that best meets the child’s needs, a care arrangement referral is submitted to the Care Arrangement Hub (the Hub).
Once a referral is received the Hub will liaise with out of home care providers to identify a care arrangement that best matches the young person’s needs, including situations where emergency care may be required. If a care arrangement from within District arrangements has been unable to be identified prior to 3pm, then a referral through the Care Arrangement Hub can be made.
Where care arrangements are required outside working hours after 5pm (weekdays) or weekends/public holidays, the Statewide Referral and Response Service (SRRS) will manage care arrangements.
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