❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the Department for Child Protection and Family Support regarding missing children in the care of the CEO, seeking details on notification timelines and the extent of the issue.
AnsweredQoN 404Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION AND FAMILY SUPPORT —
CHILDREN IN CARE OF CEO — MISSING
404. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the minister
representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to recent media reports
regarding two missing children in the care of the chief executive officer.
(1) On what date did the department
become aware that each child was missing?
(2) On what date did the department
notify police that each child was missing?
(3) On what date did the department
notify the next of kin that each child was missing?
(4) How many children in the care of
the CEO currently have unknown whereabouts?
(5) How many
children in the care of the CEO have been reported missing to police in the
2015–16 financial year period?
CHILDREN IN CARE OF CEO — MISSING
404. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the minister
representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to recent media reports
regarding two missing children in the care of the chief executive officer.
(1) On what date did the department
become aware that each child was missing?
(2) On what date did the department
notify police that each child was missing?
(3) On what date did the department
notify the next of kin that each child was missing?
(4) How many children in the care of
the CEO currently have unknown whereabouts?
(5) How many
children in the care of the CEO have been reported missing to police in the
2015–16 financial year period?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) The
Department for Child Protection and Family Support became aware that each child
was missing on 11 January 2016 and 21 April 2016 respectively.
(2) I am advised
that the department notified Western Australia Police that the first child was
missing on 11 January 2016. The second child was reported missing to WA Police
in May 2016 as the department was actively working with family for the child's
safe return.
It should be noted that although the
media and public can play an important role in locating lost children, this is
not always the case. In some situations, premature media and public awareness
can compromise a child's safety, particularly when they are being
actively hidden by family or friends. It also needs to be recognised that all
children in care have experienced trauma and hardship in their lives, and these
experiences have a lasting impact on behaviours, particularly in adolescents.
Running away and pushing the boundaries of adults can be a part of this
behaviour.
(3) Families of
both children were notified on the day the department became aware that the
children were missing.
(4)–(5) This information is
contained in individual case files and is not readily available.
of the question.
(1) The
Department for Child Protection and Family Support became aware that each child
was missing on 11 January 2016 and 21 April 2016 respectively.
(2) I am advised
that the department notified Western Australia Police that the first child was
missing on 11 January 2016. The second child was reported missing to WA Police
in May 2016 as the department was actively working with family for the child's
safe return.
It should be noted that although the
media and public can play an important role in locating lost children, this is
not always the case. In some situations, premature media and public awareness
can compromise a child's safety, particularly when they are being
actively hidden by family or friends. It also needs to be recognised that all
children in care have experienced trauma and hardship in their lives, and these
experiences have a lasting impact on behaviours, particularly in adolescents.
Running away and pushing the boundaries of adults can be a part of this
behaviour.
(3) Families of
both children were notified on the day the department became aware that the
children were missing.
(4)–(5) This information is
contained in individual case files and is not readily available.
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