Children in Care, Education Pathways

Ms LUETHEN (King) (15:07): My question is to the Minister for Child Protection. Can the minister inform the house how the Marshall Liberal government is providing education pathways that cater for the diverse needs of children and young people in care?

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection) (15:07): I thank the member for King for her continued interest in good outcomes for children in care. Education for our children and young people in care is one of my highest priorities. I have been working since day one on improving educational outcomes for children in care. I meet regularly with the Minister for Education to discuss educational outcomes, attendance, exclusions, extra supports available for our children, the Berry Street trauma-informed training rollout through schools, One Plans and many more to see what we can do to assist children to get better outcomes through their education.

Under the Marshall Liberal government, we have had an increase in the number of children completing year 11 and 12 who are from care. An education gives our children a foundation to make their future goals possible. If the school they are attending is not delivering on their individual needs, whether that be subject choices or areas of interest, extracurricular, change of cohort or simply to join other foster care siblings, other options should be available to them so they can achieve their best educational outcomes.

I am thrilled that the Catholic Education schools association has come on board quickly and enthusiastically and has worked hard over the last six months with my department on a great package to provide scholarships for 100 children and young people in care to attend SA Catholic schools. The scholarships will be available for primary and secondary school-age children across both metropolitan and regional schools. This will also include learning supports, a package of uniforms, books, excursions and extracurricular activities. This is an innovative joint partnership between the Department for Child Protection and the Catholic education sector.

I encourage any child in care to talk to their caseworker if they are interested in a scholarship. This can also be raised by foster carers, kinship carers and residential careworkers if they believe it is of value to or in the best interests of a child. The Marshall Liberal government is committed to providing both a whole-of-government approach and facilitating a whole-of-community response that deliver to the diverse needs of children and young people in care.

We are all aware of the benefits that education provides to children's health and wellbeing and how important education is to personal growth and social development of children and young people, and even more so when our children are vulnerable. It is also imperative that when making decisions about a child's education the needs of the individual child and carers are taken into account. We have a wonderful state school system. In fact, I am on several governing councils. However, there are instances where a different choice may be more appropriate.

I want all children in care, including foster and kinship care, to have the same opportunities and choices available to them that every other child in our community has. I thank the Catholic education sector for their willingness to come on board to work with my department and their cooperation to facilitate this initiative. This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to thrive and reach their potential, and I would welcome any other schools within the non-government sector to also embrace the opportunity to work with my department to develop and provide education pathways for children and young people in care.