❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice 2062 requests data on children in care, including application numbers and reasons for entering care, for the financial years 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03. The response provides some data but indicates limitations in data collection and the resource-intensive nature of obtaining more specific information.
AnsweredQoN 2062Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 September 2003
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
(b) 2001-02; and (c) 2002-03?
(c) 2002-03?
(b) 2001-02; and (c) 2002-03?
(c) 2002-03?
(c) 2002-03?
(b) 2001-02; and (c) 2002-03?
(c) 2002-03?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 November 2003
Responded by
Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
Response time
64 days
(2) a) 1,031 b) 934 c) 837 (Source: (a) Annual Report DCD 2000/01 (b) Annual Report DCD 2001/02 (c) Unpublished DCD Annual Report 2002/03) (3) The Department’s main client database does not collect this information. An accurate number could only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 300 care applications are lodged each financial year, this information is not available at this time. (4) The Department’s main client database does collect the primary reason for the child entering care in these specific categories. However, whilst there is a category named “Caregiver Psychiatric Illness’, children may enter care for more than one reason. For example the primary reason might be respite for the caregiver, or due to the result of a child maltreatment allegation investigation, but the mental, emotional, or psychological well being of the parent or guardian of the child involved may have been a factor in the need for respite or the maltreatment allegation. An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
(3) The Department’s main client database does not collect this information. An accurate number could only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 300 care applications are lodged each financial year, this information is not available at this time. (4) The Department’s main client database does collect the primary reason for the child entering care in these specific categories. However, whilst there is a category named “Caregiver Psychiatric Illness’, children may enter care for more than one reason. For example the primary reason might be respite for the caregiver, or due to the result of a child maltreatment allegation investigation, but the mental, emotional, or psychological well being of the parent or guardian of the child involved may have been a factor in the need for respite or the maltreatment allegation. An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
(4) The Department’s main client database does collect the primary reason for the child entering care in these specific categories. However, whilst there is a category named “Caregiver Psychiatric Illness’, children may enter care for more than one reason. For example the primary reason might be respite for the caregiver, or due to the result of a child maltreatment allegation investigation, but the mental, emotional, or psychological well being of the parent or guardian of the child involved may have been a factor in the need for respite or the maltreatment allegation. An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
(3) The Department’s main client database does not collect this information. An accurate number could only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 300 care applications are lodged each financial year, this information is not available at this time. (4) The Department’s main client database does collect the primary reason for the child entering care in these specific categories. However, whilst there is a category named “Caregiver Psychiatric Illness’, children may enter care for more than one reason. For example the primary reason might be respite for the caregiver, or due to the result of a child maltreatment allegation investigation, but the mental, emotional, or psychological well being of the parent or guardian of the child involved may have been a factor in the need for respite or the maltreatment allegation. An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
(4) The Department’s main client database does collect the primary reason for the child entering care in these specific categories. However, whilst there is a category named “Caregiver Psychiatric Illness’, children may enter care for more than one reason. For example the primary reason might be respite for the caregiver, or due to the result of a child maltreatment allegation investigation, but the mental, emotional, or psychological well being of the parent or guardian of the child involved may have been a factor in the need for respite or the maltreatment allegation. An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
An accurate number can only be attained through reviewing case files. Given approximately 800 to 1,000 children enter care each year, this data is not available at this time. It would be necessary for the Department to devote substantial resources to this request.
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