❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on adoption inquiries and placements, particularly concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The response reveals limited data collection prior to 2000 and an inability to track ethnicity at the inquiry stage.
AnsweredQoN 522Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 October 2002
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
(1) During each of the past five years, what were the procedures available to allow birth parents to make enquiries about placing their child for adoption?
(2) In each of the past five years how many birth parents -
(a) made enquiries about placing their child for adoption; and
(b) went ahead with the adoptive placement?
(3) In each of the past five years, how many of the children that birth parents sought to place for adoption were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent?
(4) In each of the past five years, how many children of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent were placed for adoption?
(5) How many children of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent have been placed for adoption so far this year?
(2) In each of the past five years how many birth parents -
(a) made enquiries about placing their child for adoption; and
(b) went ahead with the adoptive placement?
(3) In each of the past five years, how many of the children that birth parents sought to place for adoption were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent?
(4) In each of the past five years, how many children of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent were placed for adoption?
(5) How many children of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent have been placed for adoption so far this year?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
25 February 2003
Responded by
Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
Response time
124 days
(b) went ahead with the adoptive placement?
The Department for Community Development, including Adoption Services, operates a duty system comprising teams of experienced Social Workers. The Duty teams are based in each service delivery unit Statewide and respond to enquiries and/or requests for assistance from individual members of the public, families, community organisations and Government Departments. The duty system operates daily, during office hours and can be accessed by telephone, fax, mail or in person either by appointment or 'walk in off the street' basis. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry directly with Adoption Services in relation to placement of a child, they will be provided with information and advice as well as the opportunity of a personal meeting with a Social Worker to discuss issues and commence planning and /or receive direct assistance if required. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
The duty system operates daily, during office hours and can be accessed by telephone, fax, mail or in person either by appointment or 'walk in off the street' basis. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry directly with Adoption Services in relation to placement of a child, they will be provided with information and advice as well as the opportunity of a personal meeting with a Social Worker to discuss issues and commence planning and /or receive direct assistance if required. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry directly with Adoption Services in relation to placement of a child, they will be provided with information and advice as well as the opportunity of a personal meeting with a Social Worker to discuss issues and commence planning and /or receive direct assistance if required. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
(a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
(b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
4. None 5. None
5. None
The Department for Community Development, including Adoption Services, operates a duty system comprising teams of experienced Social Workers. The Duty teams are based in each service delivery unit Statewide and respond to enquiries and/or requests for assistance from individual members of the public, families, community organisations and Government Departments. The duty system operates daily, during office hours and can be accessed by telephone, fax, mail or in person either by appointment or 'walk in off the street' basis. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry directly with Adoption Services in relation to placement of a child, they will be provided with information and advice as well as the opportunity of a personal meeting with a Social Worker to discuss issues and commence planning and /or receive direct assistance if required. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
The duty system operates daily, during office hours and can be accessed by telephone, fax, mail or in person either by appointment or 'walk in off the street' basis. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry directly with Adoption Services in relation to placement of a child, they will be provided with information and advice as well as the opportunity of a personal meeting with a Social Worker to discuss issues and commence planning and /or receive direct assistance if required. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry directly with Adoption Services in relation to placement of a child, they will be provided with information and advice as well as the opportunity of a personal meeting with a Social Worker to discuss issues and commence planning and /or receive direct assistance if required. Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
Should a birth parent, or their representative, make enquiry with any other Departmental work unit then they can, depending on the nature of the enquiry, be referred to Adoption Services whereby they will be offered the same service as outlined above. 2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
2. Prior to 1/7/2000, when the Duty Log was introduced to Adoption Services, the unit did not collate the information requested on enquiry. (a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
(a) Data only available for 2 yrs for enquiries 01/07/2000 – 30/06/2001 = 116 calls 01/07/2001– 30/06/2002 = 80 calls (b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
(b) 97/98 98/99 99/00 00/01 01/02 23 6 10 6 13 3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
3. Unable to determine – ethnicity not asked at enquiry stage. 4. None 5. None
4. None 5. None
5. None
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