❓ Question regarding support for young people in care turning 18 during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically concerning extensions of care and continued funding. The answer outlines existing support mechanisms and encourages reporting of specific cases where support is lacking.
AnsweredQoN 435Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS —
YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE
435. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection:
My question is asked on behalf of
Hon Nick Goiran, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I note the immense uncertainty and
disruption posed by COVID-19, and I refer to those young people in care who
have either turned 18 since the declaration of the WA state of emergency or who
will turn 18 during 2020.
(1) Has the
department committed to allowing these young people to extend their time in
care until the end of the year, unless otherwise requested by the young person?
(2) If yes to
(1), what are the parameters and time frames applicable to this extension of
care?
(3) Since the
state of emergency was declared, has any young person no longer been funded to
stay in their residential or foster arrangements, or no longer been able to
access the support and funding that a child in care receives, as a result of
them turning 18?
(4) If yes to
(3), why?
YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE
435. Hon PETER COLLIER to
the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection:
My question is asked on behalf of
Hon Nick Goiran, who is on urgent parliamentary business.
I note the immense uncertainty and
disruption posed by COVID-19, and I refer to those young people in care who
have either turned 18 since the declaration of the WA state of emergency or who
will turn 18 during 2020.
(1) Has the
department committed to allowing these young people to extend their time in
care until the end of the year, unless otherwise requested by the young person?
(2) If yes to
(1), what are the parameters and time frames applicable to this extension of
care?
(3) Since the
state of emergency was declared, has any young person no longer been funded to
stay in their residential or foster arrangements, or no longer been able to
access the support and funding that a child in care receives, as a result of
them turning 18?
(4) If yes to
(3), why?
AnswerView source ↗
I provide the following answer on
behalf of the Leader of the House, who is away from the chamber on urgent
parliamentary business.
(1)–(4) The
Department of Communities is continuing to support young people in care who
turn 18, including transition plans to provide the supports they need as they
transition to independence. This may include providing young people with
additional supports to maintain stable living conditions or remain in their
current placement. This may also include support via alternative methods to
comply with the current health guidance due to COVID-19.
As per part 4, division 6 of the
Children and Community Services Act 2004, young people who have left care can
seek support from Communities until they reach 25 years of age. For example,
they may request assistance to obtain housing or ask for financial assistance
to undertake training or further education. Young people can request support
from any Communities district office.
If
the honourable member is aware of any young person who is no longer supported
to remain in their care arrangements or no longer able to access support
and funding after turning 18, he is encouraged to provide this information so
it can be looked into further.
behalf of the Leader of the House, who is away from the chamber on urgent
parliamentary business.
(1)–(4) The
Department of Communities is continuing to support young people in care who
turn 18, including transition plans to provide the supports they need as they
transition to independence. This may include providing young people with
additional supports to maintain stable living conditions or remain in their
current placement. This may also include support via alternative methods to
comply with the current health guidance due to COVID-19.
As per part 4, division 6 of the
Children and Community Services Act 2004, young people who have left care can
seek support from Communities until they reach 25 years of age. For example,
they may request assistance to obtain housing or ask for financial assistance
to undertake training or further education. Young people can request support
from any Communities district office.
If
the honourable member is aware of any young person who is no longer supported
to remain in their care arrangements or no longer able to access support
and funding after turning 18, he is encouraged to provide this information so
it can be looked into further.
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