❓ Hon Stephen Dawson questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding the number and duration of open safety and wellbeing assessments at the Midland office of the Department for Child Protection and Family Support. The Minister provides data and explanations for delays.
AnsweredQoN 1155Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT
FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT — SAFETY AND WELLBEING
ASSESSMENTS
1155. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Minister
for Child Protection:
I refer to safety and wellbeing
assessments undertaken by the Midland office of the Department for Child Protection
and Family Support, and ask, as at 1 September 2014 —
(1) How many open safety and
wellbeing assessments were recorded at that office?
(2) How many of those safety and
wellbeing assessments were open beyond the 30-day time frame?
(3) How many safety and wellbeing
assessments were open beyond 60 days?
(4) What was the longest open safety
and wellbeing assessment recorded in the past 12 months?
FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT — SAFETY AND WELLBEING
ASSESSMENTS
1155. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Minister
for Child Protection:
I refer to safety and wellbeing
assessments undertaken by the Midland office of the Department for Child Protection
and Family Support, and ask, as at 1 September 2014 —
(1) How many open safety and
wellbeing assessments were recorded at that office?
(2) How many of those safety and
wellbeing assessments were open beyond the 30-day time frame?
(3) How many safety and wellbeing
assessments were open beyond 60 days?
(4) What was the longest open safety
and wellbeing assessment recorded in the past 12 months?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. It is
important to understand that safety and wellbeing assessments can take longer
than 30 days for a number of reasons, including the department may be waiting
on other agencies, such as WA Police, to provide information or finalise
investigations. There may also be other matters that make it desirable for that
process to take longer than 30 days—for example, the ongoing
high-profile case in Bunbury. There is also sometimes a lag between the
completion of safety and wellbeing assessment and the recording of decisions in
the department's data system. When necessary, the department will
continue to develop a safety plan to meet the child's immediate safety
needs while the safety and wellbeing assessments are in progress.
(1) The number was 472—and
as at 16 October, that figure has reduced to 264.
(2)–(3) There
were 59 cases open between 30 and 60 days; 97 cases open between 61 and 90
days; and 248 cases open beyond 90 days. The total number of cases open beyond
30 days, as at 3l August 2014, was 404. As of today, 16 October 2014, that
figure now stands at 211.
(4) The longest
period has been 14 months. This case is an example of data lag where a number
of decisions have been made but the safety and wellbeing assessment remained
open. The safety and wellbeing assessment was opened on 22 June 2013. I am
advised that the department continues to work with the family to ensure the
safety and wellbeing of the child.
important to understand that safety and wellbeing assessments can take longer
than 30 days for a number of reasons, including the department may be waiting
on other agencies, such as WA Police, to provide information or finalise
investigations. There may also be other matters that make it desirable for that
process to take longer than 30 days—for example, the ongoing
high-profile case in Bunbury. There is also sometimes a lag between the
completion of safety and wellbeing assessment and the recording of decisions in
the department's data system. When necessary, the department will
continue to develop a safety plan to meet the child's immediate safety
needs while the safety and wellbeing assessments are in progress.
(1) The number was 472—and
as at 16 October, that figure has reduced to 264.
(2)–(3) There
were 59 cases open between 30 and 60 days; 97 cases open between 61 and 90
days; and 248 cases open beyond 90 days. The total number of cases open beyond
30 days, as at 3l August 2014, was 404. As of today, 16 October 2014, that
figure now stands at 211.
(4) The longest
period has been 14 months. This case is an example of data lag where a number
of decisions have been made but the safety and wellbeing assessment remained
open. The safety and wellbeing assessment was opened on 22 June 2013. I am
advised that the department continues to work with the family to ensure the
safety and wellbeing of the child.
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