Foster and Kinship Care

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:29): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, representing the Minister for Child Protection, about outstanding needs for children in care.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: I have been contacted by a foster carer who cares for a child with complex health, disability and palliative care needs. My office has been advised that the child has a number of urgent medical needs that remain unmet by the Department for Child Protection, including essential upgrades to medical equipment, reinstatement of in-home nursing support, and funding for GP services. Further advice to my office indicates that other children with complex needs under the guardianship of the chief executive also have outstanding requests for essential medical equipment, including wheelchairs and access to specialist services.

The lack of appropriate mobility equipment and specialist care places these children's health, safety and wellbeing at risk and limits their ability to participate in school and community activities. My questions to the minister are:

1. How many children under the guardianship of the chief executive of the Department for Child Protection have complex health needs, including palliative care requirements?

2. How many of these children currently have outstanding requests for essential medical equipment and support services?

3. What actions has the minister taken to investigate claims of unmet medical needs and what steps, if any, have been taken to resolve these issues?

4. Furthermore, will the minister commit to upholding the Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care and the Statement of Commitment to foster and kinship carers by actively working in genuine partnership with carers, ensuring provision of ongoing practical and financial supports that are responsive to carers' needs and responding fully, appropriately and in a timely manner to carer feedback and complaints.

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:31): I thank the honourable member for her questions. I will refer them to the minister in the other place and any information that can be provided will be brought back to this chamber.