Foster and Kinship Care

234 The Hon. L.A. HENDERSON ().9 February 2023). Can the minister advise—how the Department for Child Protection determines if the wishes of biological parents are in the best interests of children in foster care, when it comes to biological parent visits?

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

All-decision making regarding contact arrangements is child centred and safety is the paramount consideration. Decisions take into account the wellbeing and developmental needs of the children and young people involved. Caseworkers' observations of contact arrangements contribute to the holistic assessment of the appropriateness of existing contact arrangements with biological parents.

Consideration of the child's or young person's emotional and behavioural functioning before and after family contact is critical to develop a full understanding of the child's or young person's experience of contact. The views of biological parents regarding contact are one source of information informing contact decisions. Other sources can include the views of the child or young person themselves, carers, schools, therapists and support workers.