A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding screening procedures for foster parents after a news article about child abuse in foster care. The answer details the screening procedures undertaken and explains why the family was assessed twice.

AnsweredQoN 760Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 March 2006
Portfolio
Community Development

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the news article that appeared in the
West Australian
newspaper on 13 March 2006 about children abused in foster care and ask -
(1) What specific screening procedures did the Department of Community Development undertake when it assessed the foster parents in this case?
(2) What did the procedures in (1) entail?
(3) Why was the family assessed twice?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
12 April 2006
Responded by
Minister for Community Development
Response time
15 days
· National Police clearance and overseas clearance (New Zealand) for the male carer · Departmental records check · two character references · a medical report for each applicant. The assessment occurred over a number of months and at least six home visits were made 3. The carers were initially assessed as "particular child carers" ie they were assessed in terms of being able to meet the needs of identified children. The carers then indicated they wished to be assessed as "general foster carers" and this led to the second assessment ie they were assessed to meet the needs of any children in the care of the CEO.
· Departmental records check · two character references · a medical report for each applicant. The assessment occurred over a number of months and at least six home visits were made 3. The carers were initially assessed as "particular child carers" ie they were assessed in terms of being able to meet the needs of identified children. The carers then indicated they wished to be assessed as "general foster carers" and this led to the second assessment ie they were assessed to meet the needs of any children in the care of the CEO.
· two character references · a medical report for each applicant. The assessment occurred over a number of months and at least six home visits were made 3. The carers were initially assessed as "particular child carers" ie they were assessed in terms of being able to meet the needs of identified children. The carers then indicated they wished to be assessed as "general foster carers" and this led to the second assessment ie they were assessed to meet the needs of any children in the care of the CEO.
· a medical report for each applicant. The assessment occurred over a number of months and at least six home visits were made 3. The carers were initially assessed as "particular child carers" ie they were assessed in terms of being able to meet the needs of identified children. The carers then indicated they wished to be assessed as "general foster carers" and this led to the second assessment ie they were assessed to meet the needs of any children in the care of the CEO.
The assessment occurred over a number of months and at least six home visits were made 3. The carers were initially assessed as "particular child carers" ie they were assessed in terms of being able to meet the needs of identified children. The carers then indicated they wished to be assessed as "general foster carers" and this led to the second assessment ie they were assessed to meet the needs of any children in the care of the CEO.
3. The carers were initially assessed as "particular child carers" ie they were assessed in terms of being able to meet the needs of identified children. The carers then indicated they wished to be assessed as "general foster carers" and this led to the second assessment ie they were assessed to meet the needs of any children in the care of the CEO.

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