Chapter 10
Conclusion and recommendations
10.1
Governments of all levels have a responsibility to ensure that all
children and young people removed from their families and placed in out-of-home
care are provided with safe and nurturing living arrangements. The committee is
deeply concerned by evidence that suggests out-of-home care placements are not
safe or stable and that children and young people experience significantly
poorer outcomes than their peers. The committee supports the view of Associate
Professor Philip Mendes from the Department of Social Work at Monash University
that governments of all levels have a moral and legal obligation to children
placed in their care:
If we as a community are going to give our government the
power to coercively intervene in families where alleged significant abuse or
neglect has occurred, then our government has both the moral and legal
obligation to devote sufficient resources to ensure that the outcomes for those
children are far better than if they had remained with their family of origin.[1]
10.2
The committee recognises that parents and families have a responsibility
to provide nurturing homes for their children safe from abuse and neglect. The
committee is deeply concerned by the increasing number of children entering and
remaining longer in out-of-home care. The committee recognises that for some
children, placement in out-of-home care may provide the safest and most stable
environment, at least in the short-term. However, evidence to the committee
suggests families and carers need greater support and assistance to provide
safe and stable homes for children and young people, particularly those from
disadvantaged communities.
10.3
The committee recognises that addressing the significant challenges
facing Australia's out-of-home care systems means addressing a range of complex
and inter-related social issues linked to social disadvantage, including family
violence, drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues. The committee
acknowledges and is concerned that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities face significantly higher levels of social disadvantage than
non-Indigenous communities, contributing to the over-representation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out-of-home
care.
10.4
However, the committee also recognises there are certain systemic
factors that contribute to the high number of children entering and remaining
in out-of-home care. In particular, the lack of family support services means
there is limited scope for at‑risk parents to get the support they need
to build safe and resilient families for their children. The lack of available
supports and understanding of the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander families, and families with disability also contribute to an
overrepresentation of these groups in out-of-home care.
10.5
The committee heard evidence that addressing these systemic issues in
the United States and United Kingdom has resulted in positive steps towards
decreasing the number of children in out-of-home care by introducing a range of
child-centred reforms. The National Children's Commissioner, Ms Megan Mitchell
told the committee the US achieved a 30 per cent reduction between 1998 and
2012 through key policy changes including:
-
performance based contracting with non-government organisations;
-
subsidised adoption and guardianship placements; and
-
focussing on child wellbeing, including investing in the
therapeutic recovery of children who have been abused, neglected or suffered
trauma.[2]
10.6
The committee suggests a similar combination of reforms in Australia, as
outlined below, would have a significant impact on reducing the number of
children entering care, and improving outcomes for those children leaving care.
National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009–2020
10.7
The committee strongly supports the aims and principles of the National
Framework for Protection Australia's Children 2009-2020 (National
Framework), particularly its focus on providing universal and secondary
supports for all families to prevent child abuse and neglect.
10.8
However, the committee is deeply concerned that at the half-way point of
the implementation of the National Framework, there appears to be little
progress in improving outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home
care and their families. Despite the commitment from Commonwealth, state and
territory governments to the principles of the National Framework, evidence
suggests child protection systems continue to be crisis driven.
10.9
The committee acknowledges the positive progress made by some
jurisdictions in improving models of care and support for children, families
and carers, many of which are highlighted throughout this report. However, the
committee is concerned that there is no national consistency in how these
models and supports are applied.
10.10
The continued increase in the number of children and young people
entering and remaining in out-of-home care since the National Framework has
been in place indicates that a public health model of child protection, with a
focus on universal and secondary interventions for at-risk families, will take
time to implement and require significant reforms at all levels of government
and has not yet translated into positive improvements for children and young
people. As discussed in Chapter 2, the committee supports reinvigorating the
National Framework to include measures to increase accountability, funding and
local responses, as well as integrating it with other relevant frameworks.
Recommendation 1
10.11
The committee recommends that the Council of Australian Governments
(COAG) include the following measures in the third action plan (2015-2018) for
the National Framework:
-
accountability for Commonwealth, state and territory governments
to ensure compliance with the objectives of the National Framework;
-
practical guidance for state and territories for implementing the
National Standards for out-of-home care at a local level;
-
integrating all projects under the National Framework with
related frameworks including the National Plan to Reduce Violence against
Women and their Children 2010–2022 and the National Drug Strategy 2010–2015;
and
-
associated funding to assist the National Framework achieve its
stated objectives.
Data collection
10.12
The committee is also concerned by the progress of the National
Framework's projects to improve data collection on outcomes for children and
young people. The committee recognises the importance of data in contributing
to the development of evidence-based programs and services to best meet the
needs of children and young people.
10.13
While acknowledging the work currently underway by the Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare (AIHW), together with the state and territory governments,
the committee is concerned that data is currently only available on 7 of the 22
measures identified in the National Standards for out-of-home care.
10.14
The committee recommends these data collection projects be expanded to
address significant data gaps in regard to children with disability, children
in kinship care arrangements, permanency planning and the role of community
organisations, and how these impact on outcomes for children and young people.
Recommendation 2
10.15
The committee recommends that the Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare (AIHW) work with states and territories to address data gaps in Child Protection
National Minimum Data Set (CP NMDS) and other data sets of children in
out-of-home care regarding:
-
children and young people with disability;
-
children and young people from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds;
-
relationship between children and young people and their kinship
carers;
-
role of permanency planning and permanent care placements for
children and young people;
-
data collected by community service organisations; and
-
how outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care
compare with the general population.
10.16
The committee shares the concerns expressed by the United Nations
Committee on the Rights of the Child about the lack of data on the reasons why
children are placed in out-of-home care. While acknowledging the difficulty in
collecting this data on a national scale, the committee notes such data is
vitally important to identifying and addressing the key reasons children are
placed in care. The committee supports the recommendation of the UN Committee
to improve the collection of data about the reasons why children are placed in
care.
Recommendation 3
10.17
The committee recommends that AIHW work with states and territories to
develop and implement a data collection project that would provide general data
on the reasons children are placed in out-of-home care, consistent with the
recommendation by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
10.18
The committee also shares concerns expressed by the United Nations
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that the National
Framework focusses on the prevention of child abuse and neglect, rather than protecting
the rights of children in out-of-home care, particularly those with disability.
Recommendation 4
10.19
The committee recommends that COAG review the National Framework to
address recommendations by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of
Persons with Disabilities that the National Framework include provisions to
protect the rights of children, particularly those with disability.
Support for children
10.20
The committee is concerned by evidence that suggests children and young
people in out-of-home care continue to experience poor outcomes across a range
of indicators, including health, education and homelessness. The committee strongly
supports a child-first approach in all decision-making processes regarding
children and young people in out-of-home care. The outcomes for children and
young people must inform and guide all decisions about placements, supports and
possible family reunification, where appropriate.
Voice of children and young people
10.21
The committee acknowledges the importance of listening to the voice of
children and young people in discussions about placements and care planning.
The committee also recognises the importance of providing independent
mechanisms for investigation of complaints and concerns by children and young
people while in care. The committee recognises that some states and territories
have these processes in place, but is concerned there is no national
consistency in how the views of children and young people are heard and
addressed. The committee suggests nationally consistent powers for independent
child guardians and commissioners could provide an effective mechanism for
these complaints to be heard.
Recommendation 5
10.22
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to improve participation by
children and young people in decision making processes, including:
-
entry into care (where appropriate);
-
placement decisions;
-
family contact and reunion; and
-
transition from care.
10.23
This project should draw from the findings of AIHW's national survey
into views of children and young people in out-of-home care.
Recommendation 6
10.24
The committee recommends that COAG develop and implement nationally
consistent powers for independent child commissioners and guardians to:
-
review individual out-of-home care cases;
-
address complaints and concerns by children and young people;
-
ensure the voice of children and young people is heard in all
decision‑making processes about placements and case planning; and
-
provide community visitors to visit all out-of-home care
placements.
Therapeutic care
10.25
The committee recognises that children and young people in out-of-care
have complex needs that require specialist support. The committee acknowledges the
need for models of care that address the impact of trauma as a result of child
abuse and neglect.
10.26
The committee recognises the potential of trauma-informed therapeutic
models of care to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home
care. The committee acknowledges the commitment from some states and
territories to increase the number of therapeutic placements, particularly for
children with complex needs in foster care and residential care. The committee
is encouraged by evidence that suggests therapeutic foster and residential care
models contribute to more positive outcomes for young people than other models.
10.27
However, the committee is concerned that existing therapeutic models are
limited to relatively small-scale programs and are only available to a small
proportion of children and young people. The committee is also concerned by the
lack of national consistency in the way the term 'therapeutic' is currently
applied to a range of support services that may not address issues of trauma.
10.28
While recognising the high short-term cost in delivering therapeutic
models, the committee recognises that the implementation of these models has
the potential to improve long-term outcomes for children and young people, and
deliver significant cost savings to all levels of government.
Recommendation 7
10.29
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework, a project to develop and implement:
-
national therapeutic care standards; and
-
an evaluation of best practice models of therapeutic care across
all types of care (drawing from best practice models in Australia and overseas),
with a view to implementing therapeutic models across all jurisdictions.
Recommendation 8
10.30
The committee recommends that states and territories increase resources
available to fund therapeutic models of care, based on evidence-based
evaluations of existing and proposed models.
Children with specific needs
10.31
The committee is concerned by evidence that suggests that children and
young people with disability are over represented in the out-of-home care
system and that they experience poorer outcomes. In particular, the committee
is concerned by evidence that suggests a high proportion of children in
out-of-home care have undiagnosed disabilities or chronic health issues such as
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Recommendation 9
10.32
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a
nationally consistent approach to integrating child protection and disability
services to ensure children are screened for disability and complex health
needs (such as FASD) and referred to appropriate services, and have access to
disability services throughout their time in care.
10.33
The committee recognises children and families from culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds have specific needs that are not
supported by current child protection frameworks. In particular, the committee
recognises that children in international kinship care arrangements and
unaccompanied humanitarian minors (UHMs) do not receive the same level of
support and are not subject to the same standards of care as children in statutory
out-of-home care.
Recommendation 10
10.34
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement
specific supports for children and families in UHMs and international kinship
care placements.
Permanency and stability
10.35
As discussed in Chapter 4, the committee recognises the importance of
stability in facilitating positive outcomes for children and young people in
out‑of‑home care. The committee is concerned by evidence that suggests
that the longer children remain in care, the more placements and instability
they experience. The committee is also concerned that there is no nationally
consistent approach to permanency planning, and that the National Standards for
out-of-home care (National Standards) do not include a measure to indicate how
permanency planning is to be applied across jurisdictions.
Recommendation 11
10.36
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan (2015-2018)
of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a nationally
consistent approach to permanency planning. This should include adding a
measure on permanency planning into the National Standards for out-of-home care.
10.37
The committee recognises that 'permanency' can be achieved through a
range of different placement options, including stable relative/kinship or
foster care, or through reunification with family. The committee acknowledges
that legally permanent arrangements, including guardianship orders and
adoption, may be the most appropriate and stable placement option some for
children and young people on long-term care and protection orders.
10.38
The committee shares concerns that there is no national consistency in
the decision-making processes about legally permanent placements. The committee
considers that decisions about legally permanent placement options, including
adoption, should only be considered where it can be demonstrated this will
provide a safe and stable placement for the child or young person, and they have
an active role in the decision-making process.
10.39
The committee recognises the significant ongoing trauma and pain suffered
by children and parents by past practices of forced adoptions, where children
were placed for adoption without the consent of their parents, as examined in
the committee's 2012 report Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced
Adoption Policies and Practices. The committee acknowledges the strong
opposition to adoption in some segments of the community, particularly those
affected by past practices of forced adoptions. The committee also recognises the
conclusions of the Bringing Them Home Report that adoption is not an
appropriate placement option for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
children.
10.40
However, the committee also recognises that for some children, legally
permanent arrangements may provide the safest and most stable long-term placements.
Where children are placed in legally permanent arrangements, the committee
notes the importance of ensuring children remain connected to their families
and communities, taking into consideration their cultural background. The
committee is concerned about the lack of national consistency in legislation
and practice to ensure children in these placements are supported to maintain a
connection to their family and culture, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander children.
10.41
The committee also shares concerns that in some jurisdictions, children
and carers in adoption and guardianship order arrangements do not have access
to the same financial and practical supports as other forms of care. If these
placement options are to be utilised more often, more resources need to be made
available to ensure children and carers continue to be supported.
Recommendation 12
10.42
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop a nationally
consistent approach to legal forms of permanence (including guardianship orders
and adoption) that ensure children maintain connection to their families and
carers continue to receive financial and practical support.
Recommendation 13
10.43
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to consider how to improve
access to legally permanent placements (including guardianship orders and
adoptions) for children and young people in out-of-home care, where these
arrangements may provide the safest and most stable placements.
Identity documents
10.44
The committee acknowledges the difficulties faced by children and young
people in care in obtaining parental consent for identity documents at the
Commonwealth level (including passports, citizenship and Medicare cards). The
committee supports the recommendations by the National Children's Commissioner
and the South Australian Council for the Care of Children that the Commonwealth
streamline these processes for children and young people in care.
Recommendation 14
10.45
The committee recommends that the Department of Social Services,
Department of Human Services and Department of Immigration and Border
Protection review parental consent requirements for identity documents
(including passports, Medicare cards and citizenship) to remove barriers to
accessibility for children and young people in out-of-home care.
Health and education outcomes
10.46
The committee particularly recognises the need to improve education and
health outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care. The
committee is concerned by evidence that suggests children in out-of-home care
are more likely to experience chronic health and mental health conditions, and
less likely to receive necessary treatment, than children in the general
population.
Recommendation 15
10.47
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement
strategies to improve health outcomes for children and young people in care,
including:
-
access to health services, particularly youth mental health
treatment and support services; and
-
consideration of health outcomes in case planning.
Recommendation 16
10.48
The committee recommends that the Department of Health introduce a
separate Medicare item for children in out-of-home care to improve access to
health assessments and treatment, including mental health.
10.49
The committee is also concerned by evidence that suggests children in
out-of-home care are less likely to complete school and transition into higher
education and training. The committee recognises the importance of these
educational opportunities in assisting young people to break the cycle of disadvantage.
10.50
The committee also recognises the effect of stigma on 'foster kids' and
the need to improve the level of community and institutional expectation for
these children to achieve positive educational outcomes.
Recommendation 17
10.51
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a
nationally consistent approach to:
-
additional education support for children and young people in
out-of-home care; and
-
increasing participation by young people in out-of-home care in
education and training opportunities.
Recommendation 18
10.52
The committee recommends that states and territories ensure all children
in out-of-home care have updated education plans.
Transition from care
10.53
One of the most significant gaps identified by the committee is the
support available to young people transitioning from out-of-home care. The
committee recognises the terminology of 'leaving care' incorrectly implies that
young people no longer require care once they turn 18 years old. The committee
supports the terminology 'continuing care' to highlight the need to provide
ongoing support to young people through the transition period and afterward.
10.54
The committee notes while there is a significant lack of national data
on the outcomes for young people once they leave care, evidence collected
during this inquiry indicates young people are more likely to experience
homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse, and physical and sexual abuse. The
committee is strongly concerned by the lack of support available to young
people transitioning from care and supports lifting the age young people can
receive support to 21 years of age.
10.55
The committee also supports the development of nationally consistent,
best practice model of transition planning. This planning should be started as
soon as possible and focus on access to education and employment opportunities,
healthcare services where required and link-up services to other available
supports and programs.
Recommendation 19
10.56
The committee recommends that AIHW work with states and territories to
develop a data set on outcomes for young people transitioning from care up to
21 years of age, including the following indicators:
-
connection to family and/or carers;
-
education and employment;
-
housing; and
-
health (including mental health).
Recommendation 20
10.57
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a
nationally consistent framework for transitioning from care, with a focus on
improving:
-
health outcomes;
-
access to higher education;
-
employment options; and
-
access and support for securing suitable housing.
Recommendation 21
10.58
The committee recommends that the Australian Government increase the
Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) for young people
transitioning from care. The committee further recommends that the Department
of Social Services review existing post-care support programs to identify opportunities
to assist young people transitioning from care.
Recommendation 22
10.59
The committee recommends that states and territories raise the age to
which young people continue to receive ongoing post-care support to 21 years of
age.
Support for families
Family support services
10.60
The committee recognises that for some children, placement in
out-of-home care, at least temporarily, may be the safest option to prevent
abuse and neglect. The committee acknowledges that parents have a
responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing home for their children.
10.61
However, evidence to the committee suggested many parents would benefit
from additional assistance and support to help build safe and resilient
families for their children. The committee considers that child removal should
be the last resort for child protection authorities and there should be a
greater focus on family support services, including integrated universal
services, secondary interventions, respite services and shared care models. In
particular, the committee recognises the potential benefits of 'proportionate
universality' in developing targeted universal services that can help to
identify vulnerable families and children.
10.62
The committee also recognises the need for equity in funding between
family support services and out-of-home care services to ensure resources are
directed at supporting families to keep children at home, where it is safe for
the child to do so.
10.63
The committee suggests the development of a family support framework to
develop equitable funding models for all forms of family support, and evidence‑based
evaluations to determine the best and most effective family support models.
Recommendation 23
10.64
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a
nationally consistent family support framework addressing:
-
universal services targeted at improving the wellbeing of all
children and young people;
-
secondary interventions to support children and families at risk
of child protection interventions;
-
respite services and 'shared cared' models of support aimed at
family preservation;
-
evidence-based evaluations of family support services to
determine best practice models; and
-
equitable funding models for family support services.
10.65
The committee further recommends that this family support framework
should consider the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,
families and children with disability and CALD communities.
Advocacy for families
10.66
The committee recognises parents with children in out-of-home care often
feel overlooked and ignored by child protection authorities. The committee
supports the introduction of services and advocacy groups that aim to build
relationships between parents and child protection authorities to improve
outcomes for children and young people. The committee acknowledges the positive
benefits volunteer based advocacy groups have had on improving these
relationships.
Recommendation 24
10.67
The committee recommends that COAG consider a nationally consistent
approach to funding advocacy and support groups for parents with children in or
at risk of entering out-of-home care.
Involvement of families in
decision-making processes
10.68
The committee also shares concerns with parents and families about their
lack of involvement in the decision-making process about the removal of
children and placement in out-of-home care. The committee recognises evidence
that long-term stability for children and young people can be improved where
parents are involved in the decision-making process. The committee recognises
the opportunity that alternative dispute resolution measures, such as Family
Group Conferences, provide in involving parents and families in this process.
Recommendation 25
10.69
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a
nationally consistent approach to improving participation by children and
families in decision making processes, including Family Group Conferencing and
other alternative dispute resolution measures.
Accountability of child protection
authorities
10.70
The committee acknowledges that many parents and families feel powerless
in engaging with child protection authorities and case workers. The committee
shares concerns that families whose children are removed or at risk of being removed
have limited scope to appeal decisions by child protection authorities, or take
steps to enable children to be returned, where it is safe for the child to do
so. The committee recognises there is no national consistency of independent
oversight of child protection decisions or complaints mechanisms for parents
and families with children in or at risk of entering out-of-home care.
Recommendation 26
10.71
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework the development of nationally consistent
mechanisms, such as independent bodies, for managing complaints from families
and investigating individual cases.
Recommendation 27
10.72
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework the introduction of national
accreditation and registration of child protection workers, including those
employed by government departments and NGOs.
Reunification and contact support
10.73
For families with children in out-of-home care, the committee recognises
the lack of available support to assist in overcoming barriers preventing
children being returned home, or where this is not appropriate, support to
develop a positive relationship with their child. The committee heard in many
cases, families are not aware of what is required to have their children
returned, and seldom supported to do so. The committee is particularly
concerned about the lack of culturally appropriate support available to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, including services aimed at preventing
family violence and alleviating social disadvantage.
Recommendation 28
10.74
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan (2015-2018)
of the National Framework a project to develop and implement nationally
consistent family support services including support for families with contact
and reunification.
Recommendation 29
10.75
The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government provide
increased resources for family support services.
Legal assistance for families
10.76
The committee also recognises the lack of legal assistance available to
families seeking to maintain parental responsibility for their children (including
grandparent or other relative/kinship carers). The committee is concerned by
evidence that families are unable to access legal assistance prior to and
during the commencement of court proceedings. This lack of assistance means
families are not able to contest decisions made about child placement,
particularly where orders are made until 18 years of age. The committee
considers the provision of legal assistance is integral to ensuring children
can remain with families where appropriate.
10.77
The committee is particularly concerned by evidence that Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander women may be viewed as 'enablers' of family violence in
child protection court proceedings.
Recommendation 30
10.78
The committee recommends that the Commonwealth Government improve access
to legal and other advice and support available to families in child protection
matters both before and during court proceedings, including through increased
funding for relevant legal assistance providers. The committee further
recommends particular consideration be given to improving access to legal and
other advice and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
experiencing family violence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities
10.79
The committee recognises the importance of empowering Aboriginal
communities to take responsibility for child protection issues, including
decision making processes and delivery of services. The committee acknowledges
some states and territories work with Aboriginal community controlled agencies
(ACCAs) in some aspects of child protection matters, but that there is no
national consistency how ACCAs are integrated into these processes. The
committee considers ACCAs should be introduced across all jurisdictions and
should be involved in the full range of family support services for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander families, including out-of-home care, and must be
supported by flexible funding models.
10.80
The committee supports examples of partnerships between the government
and non-government sector to empower ACCAs to take responsibility for some out‑of-home
care services, particularly in NSW and Western Australia. The committee notes
these partnerships are in the early stages of implementation and that more work
needs to be done across jurisdictions to expand the capacity of ACCAs to
develop and deliver services across the continuum of care.
Recommendation 31
10.81
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement a
nationally consistent approach to building the capacity of Aboriginal community
controlled agencies (ACCAs) to become integrated into all aspects of the child
protection system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children,
including:
-
training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support workers;
-
providing family support services;
-
implementation of the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle;
-
involvement and responsibility for all decision making processes;
and
-
delivering out-of-home care services.
10.82
The committee further recommends that state and territory governments
review Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander overrepresentation in out-of-home
care as a matter of priority and provide additional resources for family
support services to addresses the causes of social disadvantage.
Recommendation 32
10.83
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement
mandatory cultural competence training for all services working with Aboriginal
and Torres Strait children and families. This training should be delivered by
specialised local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services, including
those with expertise working in remote communities.
Families with disability
10.84
The committee recognises that children and families with disability have
particular needs that are not currently addressed under existing child
protection frameworks. The committee notes that the National Disability Insurance
Scheme (NDIS) provides an opportunity to improve the available supports for
children and families with disability. However, the committee acknowledges the
specific services that will be available to children and families is not yet
clear, particularly in regard to early intervention and integration with other
services.
10.85
The committee recognises there are important steps that can be taken now
to improve outcomes for children and families with disability by 'breaking down
the silos' between child protection and disability services. Better integration
of these services will ensure children with disability and FASD that enter the
child protection system will have access to appropriate disability support
services, and families with disability will have access to family support
services.
Recommendation 33
10.86
The committee recommends that the National Disability Insurance Agency
(NDIA) review the adequacy and availability of funding for children with
disability at National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trial sites,
including:
-
early intervention funding to support children with disability
remaining at home in the care of their parents; and
-
case management support for children with disability and families
with disability to access family support services to assist children remaining
at home in the care of their parents
Support for carers
Relative/kinship care
10.87
The committee acknowledges relative/kinship carers are assuming greater
responsibility for an increasing number of children with complex needs in
out-of-home care. The committee is concerned that statutory relative/kinship
carers are not able to access the same financial and practical supports
(including training and case workers) provided by child protection authorities
to foster carers. The committee is also concerned that the complex needs of
children in relative/kinship care are not recognised, meaning relative/kinship
carers are not able to access higher rates of financial allowances.
10.88
The committee is particularly concerned that informal relative/kinship
carers receive little financial and practical support. The committee recognises
there are significantly more informal relative/kinship carers than those in the
statutory system. The committee acknowledges evidence provided to the committee
about the lack of financial and practical support for relative/kinship carers,
particularly informal carers, supports the findings of the committee's previous
inquiry into grandparent carers.
10.89
The committee supports increasing the capacity of emergency respite
services to allow child protection authorities to properly assess
relative/kinship carers prior to placement, rather than making expedient
placements that may not be suitable for the child or young person. This would
help to improve the stability of placements for children and facilitate more
positive outcomes.
Recommendation 34
10.90
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to develop and implement
nationally consistent financial and practical (including training and
case-worker) support for statutory and informal relative/kinship carers. This
should include:
-
establishment of a national peak body for relative/kinship
carers;
-
accreditation and training of relative/kinship carers;
-
increasing allowances available to relative/kinship carers; and
-
evaluation and development of nationally consistent best practice
models of supported relative/kinship care.
Recommendation 35
10.91
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to improve the capacity for
emergency respite placements to determine best placements for children and
young people.
10.92
The committee is particularly concerned about the lack of support for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander relative/kinship carers to become
accredited, and the lack of ongoing support to provide adequate support for
children and young people. The committee supports the findings from its
previous inquiry into grandparent carers that the Winangay kinship resources be
implemented nationally.
Recommendation 36
10.93
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a project to better support Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander children in relative/kinship care, including:
-
streamlining accreditation and assessment process for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander kinship carers; and
-
implementing the Winangay kinship resources to improve
relationship between carers and child protection authorities.
Foster care
10.94
The committee recognises the importance of volunteer foster carers in
the statutory out-of-home care system. The committee is concerned about the
long-standing challenges in recruiting and retaining suitable foster carers to
meet the increasingly complex needs of children and young people entering
out-of-home care. The committee supports the consideration of a national
approach to supporting foster carers, including accreditation of carers.
10.95
The committee acknowledges that the concept of professional foster care
has significant support across jurisdictions and that it may provide an
opportunity to deliver better outcomes for children in care, particularly those
children with complex needs. While noting the complex issues and barriers
involved in introducing a model of professional foster care, the committee
considers these can be overcome. The committee suggests the recommendations of the
ACIL Allen Consulting review should be considered as a matter of priority with
a view to introducing a best practice professional foster care model across all
jurisdictions.
Recommendation 37
10.96
The committee recommends that COAG include in the third action plan
(2015-2018) of the National Framework a nationally consistent strategy to
support and accredit foster carers to improve recruitment and retention. This
should also address nationally consistent rates of financial support,
case-worker support and training of foster carers.
Recommendation 38
10.97
The committee recommends that COAG implement a nationally consistent,
best practice model of professional foster care.
Residential care
10.98
The committee is concerned that outcomes for children and young people
in residential care are poor compared with other forms of care. The committee
is concerned by evidence that indicates a disproportionate amount of funding is
allocated to a model that results in these poor outcomes.
10.99
The committee recognises that older children with the most complex needs
are the most likely to be placed in residential care. The committee
acknowledges the importance of having trained specialist staff to assist
children and young people in residential care, particularly those with complex
needs. The committee supports the development of nationally consistent training
for all residential care staff and use of therapeutic care models as outlined
in other recommendations.
Recommendation 39
10.100 The committee
recommends that COAG include in the third action plan (2015-2018) of the
National Framework a project to develop and implement a nationally consistent approach
to:
-
mandatory training for all residential care workers;
-
training qualifications and allowances for carers (including
increasing allowances for carers); and
-
an evaluation how the role of NGOs in service delivery affects
the outcomes for children in care.
Senator Rachel Siewert
Chair
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