Bill set to strengthen Government response to care of children; young people

Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney today signalled upcoming improvements to the current Children and Community Services Act 2004 that seek to strengthen its operation in delivering important new initiatives.

In line with a State Government election promise, Parliament is currently considering the Children and Community Services Amendment Bill which is designed to establish special guardianship provisions and will also introduce a new secure care model - a recommendation of the 2007 Ford Review.

The moves comes after a $3.5million allocation for 2010-11 in the recent State Budget to establish and operate the secure care service.

"Special guardianship tackles the real issue of children experiencing multiple placements when they enter care through no fault of their own," Mrs McSweeney said.

"The early years of a child's life are crucial and special guardianship will allow the Department for Child Protection to make timely decisions to secure a child's long-term stability.

"This new amendment will allow long-term foster and relative carers to apply to have a child permanently placed with them until they are 18, which is a real step forward.

"Importantly, special guardianship does not preclude biological parents having contact with their child."

The Minister said broad consultation with non-government agencies supported permanency planning in Western Australia for children affected by multiple care placements.

Mrs McSweeney said introducing the new secure care model at the Kath French Centre would enable the establishment of a nine-bed facility for short-term intensive intervention of up to 21 days.

"For young people aged 12-18 there is no such facility in WA that can provide suitable care if they are at immediate and substantial risk of causing significant harm to themselves and others," she said.

"Secure care will increase access to quality support and intensive therapeutic services for children and young people at risk who experience extreme behaviours and have multiple issues to address."

"The Minister said the secure care model could be accessed in respect of a child already in the care of the department or via an application by the department through the Children's Court.

"Based on the models I have seen in Australia and overseas, secure care will provide the best opportunity to stabilise and protect an at-risk child or young person to overcome their complex problems and behaviours." she said.