Inquiry Reveals Hundreds of High-Risk Children Placed with Unlicensed Care Providers
A state inquiry into child safety has revealed that hundreds of high-risk children in residential care were placed with potentially unqualified providers due to a decade-long lag in safety checks. Deputy Director-General Bernadette Harvey testified that one-third of young people in residential care remained with providers not formally assessed for their ability to provide accommodation and personal care. This issue stems from a surge in demand five years ago, which forced the department to rely on emergency care providers often exempt from licensing. While the number of unlicensed providers grew significantly between 2020 and 2024, the department aims to have 95% of long-term providers licensed by year's end. The inquiry also highlighted a waiting list of 1,600 children eligible for family-based care, driven by a shortage of foster carers. In response, the government announced a $27 million trial partnering with foster care agencies to incentivize carers, though concerns remain about creating a purely professional-based system and potential disparities among existing carers.
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Inquiry Reveals Hundreds of High-Risk Children Placed with Unlicensed Care Providers
A state inquiry into child safety has revealed that hundreds of high-risk children in residential care were placed with potentially unqualified providers due to a decade-long lag in safety checks. Deputy Director-General Bernadette Harvey testified that one-third of young people in residential care remained with providers not formally assessed for their ability to provide accommodation and personal care. This issue stems from a surge in demand five years ago, which forced the department to rely on emergency care providers often exempt from licensing. While the number of unlicensed providers grew significantly between 2020 and 2024, the department aims to have 95% of long-term providers licensed by year's end. The inquiry also highlighted a waiting list of 1,600 children eligible for family-based care, driven by a shortage of foster carers. In response, the government announced a $27 million trial partnering with foster care agencies to incentivize carers, though concerns remain about creating a purely professional-based system and potential disparities among existing carers.
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