❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the Department of Community Development's handling of a child involved in multiple burglaries, focusing on communication with police, support services provided, and school involvement. The Minister's response defends the Department's actions and outlines the support provided.
AnsweredQoN 3055Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 August 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
(b) was the Department informed on each occasion that the child was taken into the custody or interviewed by police in relation to the 60 burglaries he admitted to; (c) if not, what action will the Minister take to ensure that there are no further communication breakdowns; (d) if yes to (b), what action did the department take on each occasion; (e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(c) if not, what action will the Minister take to ensure that there are no further communication breakdowns; (d) if yes to (b), what action did the department take on each occasion; (e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(d) if yes to (b), what action did the department take on each occasion; (e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
· regular home visit by the case manager to provide supports as and when needed and to discuss arrangement for school and medical appointments · respite care · Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family · transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
· respite care · Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family · transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
· Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family · transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
· transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
(c) if not, what action will the Minister take to ensure that there are no further communication breakdowns; (d) if yes to (b), what action did the department take on each occasion; (e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(d) if yes to (b), what action did the department take on each occasion; (e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(e) what support services were in place for the grandmother to look after the boy; (f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(f) did the department know which school the boy was enrolled to attend; (g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(g) did the department approach the school offering support services or asking to be kept informed if the boy was away from school; (h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(h) if not, why not; and (i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
(i) given that action to protect the child from harm was not taken until the media became involved, will the Minister ensure that there are no other children, that the department knows about, in a simular situation?
· regular home visit by the case manager to provide supports as and when needed and to discuss arrangement for school and medical appointments · respite care · Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family · transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
· respite care · Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family · transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
· Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family · transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
· transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy · financial supports (f) Yes. (g) Yes. (h) Not applicable. (i) Not applicable.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 September 2004
Responded by
Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
Response time
29 days
(a) It did not require media coverage for the Department to take action.
(b) The Department became aware of ?the 60 burglaries? approximately 10 days before the media were advised. As far as the Department was aware, the boy was taken to the Police Station on one occasion. Departmental Officers were in attendance. The Department has not been made aware of any other interviews in relation to the burglaries.
(c) Clear lines of communication have been established between Cannington Police Station and departmental staff at the Cannington District Office.
(d) Departmental officers attended the Police station. Alternative placements were considered with the boy and his family. The boy was placed with members of his family.
(e) Supports and services included:
· regular home visit by the case manager to provide supports as and when needed and to discuss arrangement for school and medical appointments
· respite care
· Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family
· transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy
· financial supports
(f) Yes.
(g) Yes.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
(b) The Department became aware of ?the 60 burglaries? approximately 10 days before the media were advised. As far as the Department was aware, the boy was taken to the Police Station on one occasion. Departmental Officers were in attendance. The Department has not been made aware of any other interviews in relation to the burglaries.
(c) Clear lines of communication have been established between Cannington Police Station and departmental staff at the Cannington District Office.
(d) Departmental officers attended the Police station. Alternative placements were considered with the boy and his family. The boy was placed with members of his family.
(e) Supports and services included:
· regular home visit by the case manager to provide supports as and when needed and to discuss arrangement for school and medical appointments
· respite care
· Youth and Family Engagement Officer involvement with the whole family
· transport provided for referrals to health services for the boy
· financial supports
(f) Yes.
(g) Yes.
(h) Not applicable.
(i) Not applicable.
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