❓ Hon. Sophia Moermond questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding delays in out-of-home care reform, bed availability for at-risk youth leaving foster care, and plans to increase bed numbers. The Minister cites complexity and ongoing programs as reasons for delays and support.
AnsweredQoN 381Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CHILD PROTECTION — OUT-OF-HOME CARE
381. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the ongoing process of
out-of-home care reform.
(1) Why has the tender process for new service
agreements for out-of-home care been delayed until December 2023?
(2) How many beds are available for
at-risk youth who leave foster care?
(3) Are there plans to increase the
number of beds for at-risk youth who leave foster care?
381. Hon SOPHIA MOERMOND to the minister representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the ongoing process of
out-of-home care reform.
(1) Why has the tender process for new service
agreements for out-of-home care been delayed until December 2023?
(2) How many beds are available for
at-risk youth who leave foster care?
(3) Are there plans to increase the
number of beds for at-risk youth who leave foster care?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Child Protection.
(1) Implementing
OOHC reform is complex, including in relation to procurement and transition
planning. It is necessary to get the reform right to achieve the best outcomes
for children, families, the sector and the Western
Australian community, and to deliver improved and more culturally responsive
care arrangements . To support this, the Department of Communities has
exercised an extension option for the current services agreement with a 10 per cent uplift in funding for general foster care
services and family group homes. The tender process remains underway to
award new OOHC contracts.
(2)–(3) The Department of Communities is delivering the
$37.2 million Home Stretch WA program, which extends available support for young people aged from 18 to
21 years who are leaving out-of-home care. Under Home Stretch WA,
supports and services available to young people transitioning from out-of-home
care are enhanced, and carers continue to
receive financial payments to cover expenses such as food, accommodation and utilities.
of the question. The following answer has been provided by the Minister for
Child Protection.
(1) Implementing
OOHC reform is complex, including in relation to procurement and transition
planning. It is necessary to get the reform right to achieve the best outcomes
for children, families, the sector and the Western
Australian community, and to deliver improved and more culturally responsive
care arrangements . To support this, the Department of Communities has
exercised an extension option for the current services agreement with a 10 per cent uplift in funding for general foster care
services and family group homes. The tender process remains underway to
award new OOHC contracts.
(2)–(3) The Department of Communities is delivering the
$37.2 million Home Stretch WA program, which extends available support for young people aged from 18 to
21 years who are leaving out-of-home care. Under Home Stretch WA,
supports and services available to young people transitioning from out-of-home
care are enhanced, and carers continue to
receive financial payments to cover expenses such as food, accommodation and utilities.
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