❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the number of children, duration of stay, family contact, carer safety criteria, and reunification program success at Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care in Broome. The response provides data and policy details.
AnsweredQoN 4186Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care in Broome, and I ask: (a) how many children are currently registered with Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care, Broome; (b) when did each of those children commence their stay; (c) what is the Department's policy on the duration of a child's stay at Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care, Broome; (d) how often do those children access family contact outside Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care, Broome; (e) what is the Department's policy regarding safety criteria when assessing potential carers for children registered with the Department; and (f) what is the success rate of the Department's T1 House Services Reunification Program?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 August 2015
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
48 days
a) As at 24 June 2015, there were 11 children registered with Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care in Broome.
b) The 11 children currently registered with Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care in Broome were placed between 9 October 2013 and 18 March 2015.
c) Babagarra is a Residential Care Service which enables assessment of children's needs and the provision of time limited therapeutic residential care with the aim of healing the traumatic impact of abuse and neglect. The Department's Residential Care (Sanctuary) Framework 2012 provides the theoretical and practical base to guide the work of residential group homes with abused children whose trauma severely impacts their behaviour and development. A placement for a child in a residential care service should be considered a time limited option, caseworkers are required to work to address reunification or relative care options.
d) Contact with family is dependent on each case and the requirements of the child. The frequency of contact is set out in the care plan for each child.
e) Criteria for a General Foster Carer Assessment which includes in the case of safety the following requirements:
· A Working with Children (WWC) check for all relatives and significant others caring for a child in the CEO's care. Where an urgent placement is required and the relative/ significant other does not have a WWC then an application for a WWC check must be lodged within five days of the child being placed in their care.
· A criminal and client and child protection check for all adult household members who will be living in the home.
· A home visit to assess the safety of the home environment.
· A health Assessment for the foster care applicant(s).
· An assessment against the five carer competencies :
· The carer is able to provide care for a child in a way that promotes the wellbeing of the child, promotes the child's family and interpersonal relationships, and protects the child from harm
· The carer is able to provide a safe living environment for a child
· The carer is able to work cooperatively with officers, a child's family and other people when providing care for a child
· The carer is able to take responsibility for the development of his or her competency and skills as a carer
· The carer is a person of good character and repute.
Referee reports.
f. Three family group homes are operated by a non-government service in the West Kimberley. This service provides a therapeutic home like care environment for children whose needs are not able to be met in a normal family setting. The goal of this service is, in partnership with the Department, to transition these children back to family, foster care or other suitable options. "Success: is dependent on the degree to which the Department is able to meet the specific needs of the individual child in care". For some children this may mean offering long term care in a group home setting.
b) The 11 children currently registered with Babagarra Nyirrwa Residential Care in Broome were placed between 9 October 2013 and 18 March 2015.
c) Babagarra is a Residential Care Service which enables assessment of children's needs and the provision of time limited therapeutic residential care with the aim of healing the traumatic impact of abuse and neglect. The Department's Residential Care (Sanctuary) Framework 2012 provides the theoretical and practical base to guide the work of residential group homes with abused children whose trauma severely impacts their behaviour and development. A placement for a child in a residential care service should be considered a time limited option, caseworkers are required to work to address reunification or relative care options.
d) Contact with family is dependent on each case and the requirements of the child. The frequency of contact is set out in the care plan for each child.
e) Criteria for a General Foster Carer Assessment which includes in the case of safety the following requirements:
· A Working with Children (WWC) check for all relatives and significant others caring for a child in the CEO's care. Where an urgent placement is required and the relative/ significant other does not have a WWC then an application for a WWC check must be lodged within five days of the child being placed in their care.
· A criminal and client and child protection check for all adult household members who will be living in the home.
· A home visit to assess the safety of the home environment.
· A health Assessment for the foster care applicant(s).
· An assessment against the five carer competencies :
· The carer is able to provide care for a child in a way that promotes the wellbeing of the child, promotes the child's family and interpersonal relationships, and protects the child from harm
· The carer is able to provide a safe living environment for a child
· The carer is able to work cooperatively with officers, a child's family and other people when providing care for a child
· The carer is able to take responsibility for the development of his or her competency and skills as a carer
· The carer is a person of good character and repute.
Referee reports.
f. Three family group homes are operated by a non-government service in the West Kimberley. This service provides a therapeutic home like care environment for children whose needs are not able to be met in a normal family setting. The goal of this service is, in partnership with the Department, to transition these children back to family, foster care or other suitable options. "Success: is dependent on the degree to which the Department is able to meet the specific needs of the individual child in care". For some children this may mean offering long term care in a group home setting.
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