Question regarding the validity of Working with Children Checks for foster carers since May 2020. The Minister's answer reveals a discrepancy, acknowledging instances where carers lack valid checks, contradicting a previous statement.

AnsweredQoN 916Legislative Assembly
Asked
10 October 2023
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

With regards to Working with Children Checks, I refer to the former Minister's statement in the House on Wednesday, 27 May 2020 in response to a question from Ms L.L. Baker in which the Minister said: "Finally, I am proud also to say that no foster carer with children in their care is without a valid check." and I ask: (a) Can the Minister confirm there has been no foster carer with children in their care that has been without a valid check since that date?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
30 November 2023
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection
Response time
14 days
Every effort is made to ensure that foster carers have a valid WWC card there are situations, such as emergency placements with interim family carers, where a WWC card is yet to be obtained. Working with Children compliance monitoring for foster carers with children in their care occurs daily using current data recorded in the child protection data base.
On 26 October 2023, the Department of Communities advises there was one Foster Carer with children in their care who did not have a valid WWC card. All other carers with children in their care had valid WWC cards or application in progress.
In 2015, it was reported that 110 foster carers with children placed did not have a valid WWC or an application in process.

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