CHILD PROTECTION

117 The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (26 September 2007). Will the Minister for Families and Communities advise, by statistics or anecdotal evidence, of the extent to which new subsection (2a) of section 38 of the Children's Protection Act has improved the creation of permanent orders in preference to repeated temporary arrangements for children in foster care, as the one year anniversary of the proclamation approaches on 1 October 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:

Families SA statistics indicate that the new subsection (2a) of section 38 of the Children’s Protection Act has improved the number and percent of children who have been placed on long-term orders.

This is evidenced in an increased number and percentage of children who are placed on a guardianship of the minister to 18 year order, with no prior 12 month orders. For example:

In 2005-06, 24 per cent of all children placed on guardianship of the minister to 18 year orders had no prior orders.

In 2006-07, that percentage had increased to 29 per cent.

During the first quarter of this financial year, 36 per cent of all children placed on guardianship to 18 year orders have had no prior orders.

It is also evidenced in the decrease in the number of children placed on four or more 12 month orders. For example:

In 2005-06, 4 per cent of children placed on guardianship of the minister to 18 years orders had four prior 12 month orders.

In 2006-07, no children had four prior orders.

During the first quarter of this financial year, one child placed on a guardianship of the minister to 18 years order has had four previous orders.

Anecdotal evidence would indicate that the Youth Court is carefully considering the circumstances of each child and family situation. There are occasions where Families SA assessment indicates that a guardianship of the minister to 18 years order is the most appropriate situation for a child, but the Youth Court considers that further effort should be made be return the child to the care of the family. The independent assessment of the Youth Court is critical to ensuring appropriate State intervention in the lives of children.