❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on case manager turnover in a specific child protection case and vacancy rates in Department of Communities Child Protection offices across WA, following the death of a First Nations child in care. The Department declined to comment on the specific case but provided general vacancy data and initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 2015Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the tragic death of the 10-year-old First Nations boy, while under the care of the Department of Communities, and media reports that the family has had "26 different case managers since their son was taken into care", and I ask: (a) how many case managers were assigned to this family; (b) in reference to (a), over what time period; (c) for each of the Department of Communities Child Protection offices in Metropolitan Perth, please provide to the end of each month, or nearest reporting date, for the current financial year to date, the following: (i) the vacancy data, in full-time equivalent (FTE) and as a percentage of total allocation, for all roles; and (ii) the vacancy data, in FTE and as a percentage of total allocation, for case carrying roles; and (d) for each of the Department of Communities Child Protection offices in regional Western Australia, please provide to the end of each month, or nearest reporting date, for the current financial year to date, the following: (i) the vacancy data, in FTE and as a percentage of total allocation, for all roles; and (ii) the vacancy data, in FTE and as a percentage of total allocation, for case carrying roles?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 May 2024
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
10 days
The Department of Communities (Communities) advises:
(a – b) In keeping with the intent of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 , Communities does not comment on individual cases.
(c - d) See Tabled Paper X . The Child Protection FTE has increased since 2017. Workforce challenges in the Child Protection profession are experienced across Australia, with workforce a national priority area in Safe and Supported; The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2021-2031). Communities is progressing a range of initiatives to attract and retain staff. This includes targeted recruitment campaigns, social work placements and regional talent registers.
(a – b) In keeping with the intent of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 , Communities does not comment on individual cases.
(c - d) See Tabled Paper X . The Child Protection FTE has increased since 2017. Workforce challenges in the Child Protection profession are experienced across Australia, with workforce a national priority area in Safe and Supported; The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children (2021-2031). Communities is progressing a range of initiatives to attract and retain staff. This includes targeted recruitment campaigns, social work placements and regional talent registers.
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