Hansard

Communities—Home care services

601. Hon Nick Goiranto theminister representing the Minister for Child Protection:

I refer to the minister's answer to my question without notice on 14 August 2025, in which the house was advised that the "other" living arrangement type includes hospital, detention, independent living, prospective adoptive and unknown.

(1) How many children in the care of the CEO are in each of the following "other" living arrangements:

(a) hospital;

(b) detention;

(c) independent living;

(d) prospective adoptive placement; and

(e) unknown?

(2) Does the minister recall that on 25 June 2025 she stated there were 1,051 children whose accommodation category was recorded as "other arrangements", and that "other arrangements" may include arrangements with parents or former guardians, hospital, independent living arrangements in which a young person may self-select, or prospective adoptive carers?

(3) Given that the number of children in care in the above categories as provided in the table on 14 August 2025 totals 560, as at 31 May 2025 where were the remaining 491 children placed?

Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:

I thank the Leader of the Opposition for some notice of the question. This response has been provided by the Minister for Child Protection. The Department of Communities advises the following.

(1) As of 30 June 2025, there are:

(a) five children in hospital;

(b) nine children in detention;

(c) nine children in independent living;

(d) 17 children in prospective adoptive placement; and

(e) six children unknown.

(2)–(3) The following is the number of children in care as at 31 May 2025 by their living arrangement. The remainder of the answer is in tabular form. I seek leave to have that incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted for the following material to be incorporated.