❓ Hon Stephen Dawson asks the Minister for Child Protection about cases of carer neglect investigated and substantiated in 2013-14, including details about the children involved, reporters, and reasons for lack of charges. The Minister provides some data but requests further notice for a more detailed response.
AnsweredQoN 785Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
CARERS —
NEGLECT
785. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to a recent media report in The Sunday Times relating to carers' neglect.
(1) In 2013–14,
how many cases of neglect were investigated by the Department for Child
Protection and Family Support, and how many of those cases were substantiated?
(2) How many children and how many family groups were
involved, and what were the children's ages?
(3) Who reported the substantiated cases of neglect, and from
which DCP offices were they case-managed?
(4) Of each substantiated case of neglect, how many involved —
(a) a relative carer; and
(b) a registered foster carer?
(5) Why were charges not brought against any carers where
cases of neglect were substantiated?
NEGLECT
785. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to a recent media report in The Sunday Times relating to carers' neglect.
(1) In 2013–14,
how many cases of neglect were investigated by the Department for Child
Protection and Family Support, and how many of those cases were substantiated?
(2) How many children and how many family groups were
involved, and what were the children's ages?
(3) Who reported the substantiated cases of neglect, and from
which DCP offices were they case-managed?
(4) Of each substantiated case of neglect, how many involved —
(a) a relative carer; and
(b) a registered foster carer?
(5) Why were charges not brought against any carers where
cases of neglect were substantiated?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1) In 2013–14
there were a total of five substantiated cases of neglect by a carer. The
information regarding the number of investigations of neglect by a carer could
not be provided in the time available, and I ask the member to place this part
of the question on notice as a manual review of cases will need to be
undertaken.
(2) The five
substantiated neglect cases involve five children from three family groups. The
children were aged two, five, seven, 10 and 11 years.
(3) Of the three
family groups two were reported by staff of the department, and one was
reported by a Department of Health worker. The three department district
offices involved are the Goldfields, Peel and South West.
(4) (a)–(b) Of the five
substantiated neglect cases, all involved relative carers.
(5) Criminal charges are a matter
for Western Australia Police.
(1) In 2013–14
there were a total of five substantiated cases of neglect by a carer. The
information regarding the number of investigations of neglect by a carer could
not be provided in the time available, and I ask the member to place this part
of the question on notice as a manual review of cases will need to be
undertaken.
(2) The five
substantiated neglect cases involve five children from three family groups. The
children were aged two, five, seven, 10 and 11 years.
(3) Of the three
family groups two were reported by staff of the department, and one was
reported by a Department of Health worker. The three department district
offices involved are the Goldfields, Peel and South West.
(4) (a)–(b) Of the five
substantiated neglect cases, all involved relative carers.
(5) Criminal charges are a matter
for Western Australia Police.
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