Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding discrepancies in reported numbers of children in various 'other' living arrangements under the care of the CEO, seeking clarification on the placement of a significant number of children.

AnsweredQoN 601Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 August 2025
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

Communities—Home care services
601. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Child
Protection:
I refer to the
minister's answer to my question without notice on 14 August 2025, in which the
house was advised that the "other" living arrangement type includes
hospital, detention, independent living, prospective adoptive and unknown.
(1) How many children in the care of the CEO are
in each of the following "other" living arrangements:
(a) hospital;
(b) detention;
(c) independent living;
(d) prospective adoptive placement; and
(e) unknown?
(2) Does the minister recall that on 25 June 2025
she stated there were 1,051 children whose accommodation category was recorded
as "other arrangements", and that "other arrangements" may
include arrangements with parents or former guardians, hospital, independent
living arrangements in which a young person may self-select, or prospective
adoptive carers?
(3) Given that the number of children in care in
the above categories as provided in the table on 14 August 2025 totals 560, as
at 31 May 2025 where were the remaining 491 children placed?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the Leader
of the Opposition for some notice of the question. This response has been
provided by the Minister for Child Protection. The Department of Communities
advises the following.
(1) As of 30 June 2025, there are:
(a) five children in
hospital;
(b) nine children in detention;
(c) nine children in independent living;
(d) 17 children in prospective adoptive placement;
and
(e) six children unknown.
(2)–(3) The following is the number of
children in care as at 31 May 2025 by their living arrangement. The remainder
of the answer is in tabular form. I seek leave to have that incorporated into Hansard .
Leave granted for
the following material to be incorporated.
Living Arrangement
As at 31 May 2025
Foster Care
with Family Member
2390
Department
General Foster Care
1124
Funded
Service Foster Care
598
Parent/Former
Guardian
210
Funded
Service Residential
502
Self-selected
Arrangement
334
Departmental
Residential
93
Other
39
Total
5290

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