Question regarding the Department for Child Protection and Family Support's involvement in cases of family eviction from public housing and measures to prevent youth homelessness upon exiting care.

AnsweredQoN 2093Legislative Council
Asked
23 October 2014
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to child homelessness, and I ask: (a) what involvement does the Department for Child Protection and Family Support (DCPaFS) have when a family with children is evicted from a HomesWest property under the disruptive behaviour management strategy; (b) will the Minister table the bilateral schedule between the DCPaFS and the Department of Housing; and (c) how does the schedule ensure young people do not exit care into homelessness?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
17 February 2015
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
117 days
(a) The Department for Child Protection and Family Support (the Department) and the Department of Housing (Housing) have entered into a bilateral schedule aimed at preventing the eviction of families with children as a consequence of the Disruptive Behaviour Management Strategy (DBMS).
The Department is notified when a 'strike' is issued to a family with children and assesses what supports, in addition to those provided through Housing, could be provided to limit the likelihood of further strikes or eviction.
Where the family has been evicted and is reported to the Department, an assessment is made about whether eviction will impact the safety and wellbeing of children and what referral or services, such as referral to a specialist homelessness service can be offered.
(b) Yes. Please see tabled papers [...].
(c) The bilateral schedule provides for young people leaving care to be referred to Housing for priority social housing. This option is intended as a contingency plan for those young people who have no other option for accommodation and whom would otherwise exit care into homelessness.

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