Hon Nick Goiran questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding a young person whose whereabouts were unknown while in state care, seeking details on the duration and post-18 welfare checks. The Minister declines to comment on individual cases, citing the Department's policy and ongoing support services.

AnsweredQoN 339Legislative Assembly
Asked
17 June 2025
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

Children in care—Whereabouts unknown
339. Hon Nick Goiran to
the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the
answer on 21 May 2025 about the whereabouts of children in the care of the
state and the minister's response that:
One young person has since turned 18
years of age and is no longer in the care of the CEO.
(1) For how many days was the whereabouts of that
person unknown prior to them turning 18 years of age?
(2) What steps did the department take, if any,
once the person turned 18 years to ensure that a welfare check was undertaken
by the Western Australia Police Force or another appropriate agency?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question. The following answer has
been provided by the Minister for Child Protection.
(1)–(2) The safety and wellbeing of
children is always the Department of Communities' (Communities) highest
priority. In keeping with the intent of the Children
and Community Services Act 2004 , Communities does not comment on
individual cases. Communities will always provide support to young people
leaving care, up until the age of 25, when the young person consents to the
support or seeks support. This includes through the provision of Home Stretch
WA services.

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