Child Protection

171 The Hon. L.A. CURRAN ().3 November 2022). How many children under the care of the Minister for Child Protection have been reunified with parents who have subsequently tested positive to illicit substances in the last six months?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): The Minister for Child Protection has advised:

Since 2016, the Department for Child Protection has reunified over 1,200 children and young people with their families.

Between 1 January and 30 June 2022, parents of 16 children who had previously been reunified tested positive to illicit substances. Fifteen of the 16 children were reunified with parents between 2016 and 2021 and one child was reunified in 2022.

In these instances, family preservation efforts are being undertaken in partnership with the families to ensure the children's/young people's safety. Drug and alcohol testing may be voluntary or directed, and forms part of the assessment.