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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-05-25 Daily Xml
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CHILDREN IN STATE CARE

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Families and Communities questions in relation to children in state care.

Leave granted.

The Hon. A. BRESSINGTON: Earlier this week I met with a distraught mother from the northern suburbs whose son is under the guardianship of the minister. This mother signed a three month voluntary order in 2007 because she was told that this was the only way she could get the help for her son that was needed as he had behavioural issues that had been obvious since he was 18 months old. Since he has been in care, three years now, he has not had an assessment, he has not received counselling and, while in residential care, has had his front teeth knocked out, sported a black eye in his class photo late last year, and has had a chair broken over his back, which left him with extensive and severe bruising. He has frequently been absent from school, his violent behaviour is escalating and late last week he was arrested for home invasion. This child is 12 years old. My questions are:

1. What services and support agencies are at the disposal of Families SA to deal with behavioural problems of children aged between seven and 13 years in residential care, and what are the obligations of the state to provide those services when children are taken into the guardianship of the minister?

2. How many children in the residential care facility known as Cornerways are receiving services and support for behavioural issues, what training in these matters are the workers of Cornerways residential facility required to receive, and what qualifications are mandatory for them to work with troubled young people?

3. When a child in the care of the minister in a residential facility is not attending school, is staying out all night during the week and on weekends and is arrested for criminal activity at the age of 12 years, what guarantee will the minister provide the mother of that child—a caring and loving mother—that the situation will improve, and what oversight will be provided to guarantee the care and protection of that child under these circumstances?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:58): I thank the honourable member for her important questions. I know that the disabilities resulting in significant behavioural problems in those concerned are often very complex and can be very tragic and difficult to address. I am not too sure what steps this woman has taken in terms of trying to address her own personal circumstances, but I am more than happy to refer these questions to the appropriate minister in another place and bring back a response. I am sure she will be more than willing to look into those matters.

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