❓ Hon Michelle Hofmann asks the Minister for Child Protection about criminal record checks for prospective adoptive and foster parents, specifically regarding Class 1 and 2 offences. The Minister confirms the same standard applies to both groups.
AnsweredQoN 919Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Foster carers—Criminal record checks
919. Hon Michelle Hofmann to the minister representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
minister's media statement on Saturday 18 October 2025 entitled "Child
safety at the heart of Children's Week 2025".
(1) Is the minister aware that the department's Adoption Information Booklet states at page 13
that a prospective adoptive parent must show that they have not been convicted
of a class 1 or class 2 offence and do not have charges pending in respect of a
class 1 or class 2 offence?
(2) How is this checked?
(3) Is this the same standard that applies for
prospective foster carers?
(4) If no to (3), to what extent is the criminal
record check different for foster carers?
919. Hon Michelle Hofmann to the minister representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
minister's media statement on Saturday 18 October 2025 entitled "Child
safety at the heart of Children's Week 2025".
(1) Is the minister aware that the department's Adoption Information Booklet states at page 13
that a prospective adoptive parent must show that they have not been convicted
of a class 1 or class 2 offence and do not have charges pending in respect of a
class 1 or class 2 offence?
(2) How is this checked?
(3) Is this the same standard that applies for
prospective foster carers?
(4) If no to (3), to what extent is the criminal
record check different for foster carers?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Child Protection. The Department of
Communities advises the following.
(1) Yes.
(2) Prospective adoptive parents undergo consented
criminal record checking as part of the Department of Communities' screening
process.
(3) Yes.
(4) Not applicable.
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Child Protection. The Department of
Communities advises the following.
(1) Yes.
(2) Prospective adoptive parents undergo consented
criminal record checking as part of the Department of Communities' screening
process.
(3) Yes.
(4) Not applicable.
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