❓ This WA parliamentary question seeks data on Responsible Parenting Agreements implemented by the Department for Child Protection between March and May 2013, including referral sources, parental refusal rates, agreement terms, and juvenile outcomes. The answer provides some data but acknowledges limitations in data collection and outcome measurement.
AnsweredQoN 105Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) For the period, 1 March 2013 to 31 May 2013, how many Responsible Parenting Agreements have the Department for Child Protection implemented?
(2) How many of those Responsible Parenting Agreements listed above originated from a referral from another State Government Department, and how many were referred by each department?
(3) How many parents approached to enter into a Responsible Parenting Agreement during this period, refused the agreement?
(4) How many Responsible Parenting Agreements included an agreement for the parents to:
(a) take part in counselling or parenting skills training;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure their child attends school;
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure their child avoids contact with particular people or places; or; and
(d) undertake other measures?
(5) How many juveniles, whose parents agreed to a Responsible Parenting Agreement have:
(a) improved their attendance at school; and
(b) re-offended since the Agreement was made?
(2) How many of those Responsible Parenting Agreements listed above originated from a referral from another State Government Department, and how many were referred by each department?
(3) How many parents approached to enter into a Responsible Parenting Agreement during this period, refused the agreement?
(4) How many Responsible Parenting Agreements included an agreement for the parents to:
(a) take part in counselling or parenting skills training;
(b) take reasonable steps to ensure their child attends school;
(c) take reasonable steps to ensure their child avoids contact with particular people or places; or; and
(d) undertake other measures?
(5) How many juveniles, whose parents agreed to a Responsible Parenting Agreement have:
(a) improved their attendance at school; and
(b) re-offended since the Agreement was made?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 August 2013
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
55 days
(1) For the period, 1 March 2013 to 31 May 2013, 163 Responsible Parenting
Agreements were entered into.
(2) Of these 163 agreements, 67
originated from another State Government department:
a. Department for
Child Protection and Family Support - 76
b. Department of Education -
28
c. Western Australia Police - 18
d. Department of Corrective
Services - 18
e. Community sector agencies - 15
f. Department of Health - 3
g. Parent or guardian - 4
h. Other - 1.
(3) Although this information is recorded on
individual client files, this data is not collected in the Department for Child
Protection and Family Support's client information system in a way that can be
reported on an aggregated basis. However, the Department aims for Responsible
Parenting Agreements to be used with all families working with the Parent
Support service, to outline problem behaviours, goals, activities and timelines
to achieve change. The agreed activities or tasks undertaken by parents vary
according to the specific goals and needs of each family.
(4) As
above.
(5) Given the Parent Support program six month duration, it is
too early to determine the outcomes of these agreements for this time
frame. However, figures for all parents who completed the program during
2011-12, indicate that 94 per cent made either significant change or some
change, reflected in positive outcomes for the child. In 2012-13 (to 31 May) 87
per cent made significant or some change.
Agreements were entered into.
(2) Of these 163 agreements, 67
originated from another State Government department:
a. Department for
Child Protection and Family Support - 76
b. Department of Education -
28
c. Western Australia Police - 18
d. Department of Corrective
Services - 18
e. Community sector agencies - 15
f. Department of Health - 3
g. Parent or guardian - 4
h. Other - 1.
(3) Although this information is recorded on
individual client files, this data is not collected in the Department for Child
Protection and Family Support's client information system in a way that can be
reported on an aggregated basis. However, the Department aims for Responsible
Parenting Agreements to be used with all families working with the Parent
Support service, to outline problem behaviours, goals, activities and timelines
to achieve change. The agreed activities or tasks undertaken by parents vary
according to the specific goals and needs of each family.
(4) As
above.
(5) Given the Parent Support program six month duration, it is
too early to determine the outcomes of these agreements for this time
frame. However, figures for all parents who completed the program during
2011-12, indicate that 94 per cent made either significant change or some
change, reflected in positive outcomes for the child. In 2012-13 (to 31 May) 87
per cent made significant or some change.
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