CHILDREN IN STATE CARE

In reply to the Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (11 September 2007).

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs): The Minister for Families and Communities has provided the following information:

The Hon Anne Bressington MLC in her explanation preceding the question, asserted that 600 children in the care of the state may have been accommodated in serviced apartments, hotel, bed and breakfast and like accommodation. This assertion was wildly inaccurate. At 26 October 2007 there were 45 children accommodated in interim emergency accommodation. None of these children were accommodated in caravans.

During 2006-07, 186 individual children spent at least one night in interim emergency care.

In 2006-07, $14.7 million was expended on motel, bed and breakfast, serviced apartment and like accommodation. Of this expenditure $1.89 million was for the cost of accommodation and $12.81 million for the cost of carers.

Since forming government, this government has increased the numbers of carers by over 30 per cent. In South Australia, foster carers receive a subsidy to help them with expenses related to provision of care for young people. This subsidy is tax free and there are additional allowances for education and medical expenses.

In June 2007, the government announced 'Keeping Them Safe—In Our Care', the government's blueprint for the alternative care system. $103.9 million was injected into the alternative care system to support 'Keeping Them Safe—In Our Care'.

As part of 'Keeping Them Safe—In Our Care', the government increased the subsidy payment to foster carers by 5 per cent, effective from 1 July. Furthermore, a children's payment review was announced. We will be providing $21 million over four years to better support foster and relative carers, to increase the quality of training and support for carers and to recruit new carers. This includes the 5 percent increase in allowances.

Additionally, the assessment and training needs of those seeking to become carers is being reviewed to ensure that the process is responsive to the needs of carers.

The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) provides funding to Connecting Foster Carers SA, who act as a support group for carers and advocate for carers' needs.

Within Families SA, there are also support functions, including the Foster Care Services team which provides a State-wide information service to people enquiring about foster care. Additionally, this team convenes a regional reference group for non-government agencies, including Connecting Foster Carers SA and CREATE SA.

Within DFC's customer relations unit, there is a specific foster care liaison role which seeks to provide support to foster carers and address issues as they arise.

Each foster carer is allocated a support worker from the agency with whom they are registered. This agency will also provide ongoing training and is responsible for the annual review of foster carers. Agencies may also coordinate local events for foster carers, such as family fun days, sometimes in partnership with Families SA district offices in their region.

Another key part of improving the lives of foster carers is to reduce the red-tape that has previously been associated with caring. The government will remove many of the hoops that carers are required to go through in looking after the children in their care. This will allow carers to focus on caring, rather than negotiating over everyday caring decisions with government agencies.