Child Protection

Ms SANDERSON (Adelaide) (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. How many children are currently living in residential care who have been there for longer than 18 months, given that David Waterford, former head of Families SA, identified the emotional and psychological damage done to children if left in residential care for longer than 18 months?

The SPEAKER: The last bit was just commentary.

Mr Goldsworthy interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Kavel is warned a second and final time.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: He may be suspended for the rest of question time. Minister.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (15:09): Naturally, to give a precise answer, I will take that on notice, because that will vary from day to day, given the length of time the member is asking about. If what sits behind that question is: is it acceptable that there are any for that length of time, then, essentially, no. What we are looking for is more families to take these children into their homes. We cannot make people become foster carers: all we can do is create the opportunity for them to take these children into their homes and to look after them. Short of that, we must provide accommodation to look after them out of their own biological family where the court has decided they are no longer safe.