❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the Advocate for Children in Care, seeking information on the position's history, incumbent details, and contact statistics. The answer provides factual data and explains referral increases due to a new program.
AnsweredQoN 2480Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the position of the Advocate for Children in Care, and I ask: (a) how many people have held the position of Advocate since its creation in 2006; (b) what was the commencement date for the incumbent Advocate; (c) what is the term of appointment of the incumbent Advocate; and (d) how many children have contacted the Advocate in each calendar year from 2006?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 October 2019
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
10 days
(a) One
(b) February 2006
(c) The Advocate for Children in Care is a permanent employee of the Department of Communities.
(d) The table below shows the total number of referrals for each year, together with the numbers of self-referrals from children and young people in care themselves.
Year Referred
Total Referrals
Direct Self-Referrals
2006
136
17
2007
222
22
2008
282
19
2009
306
16
2010
383
15
2011
281
21
2012
294
17
2013
331
15
2014
279
26
2015
247
23
2016
291
24
2017
404
112
2018
625
372
The increase in numbers overall reflect the Advocate’s successful implementation of a computer-mediated self-interviewing program used by children and young people in care to express their individual views, concerns and wishes.
Please note that children and young people in care are generally contacted, consulted and included in any follow-up by the Advocate for Children in Care, irrespective of the source of the initial referral.
(b) February 2006
(c) The Advocate for Children in Care is a permanent employee of the Department of Communities.
(d) The table below shows the total number of referrals for each year, together with the numbers of self-referrals from children and young people in care themselves.
Year Referred
Total Referrals
Direct Self-Referrals
2006
136
17
2007
222
22
2008
282
19
2009
306
16
2010
383
15
2011
281
21
2012
294
17
2013
331
15
2014
279
26
2015
247
23
2016
291
24
2017
404
112
2018
625
372
The increase in numbers overall reflect the Advocate’s successful implementation of a computer-mediated self-interviewing program used by children and young people in care to express their individual views, concerns and wishes.
Please note that children and young people in care are generally contacted, consulted and included in any follow-up by the Advocate for Children in Care, irrespective of the source of the initial referral.
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