[Greens-Media] New report on children in care highlights importance of Senate Inquiry

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

25 July 2014

New report on children in care highlights importance of Senate Inquiry
 
The Australian Greens said today that new figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, showing that more than 50,000 children were in care during 2012-13, highlights the importance of the Senate Inquiry into Out of Home Care.
 
"The wellbeing of children must be a priority for governments at all levels, and the AIHW report 'Child protection Australia: 2012-13' shows that we have a lot of work to do," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.
 
"The AIHW have reported a 29% increase in the number of children who were found to have been or were likely to be abused, neglected, or otherwise harmed between 2010-11 and 2012-13. During 2012-13 there were 50,307 children in out-of home care.
 
"These figures are very tough to read and they show how important it is that we work to deliver better outcomes for families and children.
 
"There are clearly a number of significant issues contributing to the number of children involved with child protection and being placed in out of home care. I think the Senate Inquiry will play an important role in examining the issues behind these numbers and the ways in which better support can be provided to parents, families, children and foster carers.
 
"We need to understand the factors contributing to the increase and how they can be prevented and addressed.
 
"The AIHW has also reiterated the disproportionately high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children involved in child protection services and foster care, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children 10 times more likely to be in foster care than non-Aboriginal children.  The Inquiry will pay particular attention to the underlying causes for such a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being in foster care and the consequences this may have. 
 
"This is a national problem and we need to see a cohesive, cooperative approach from all levels of government to ensure children are properly cared for and given the best chance at a strong start in life," Senator Siewert concluded.

Information about the Inquiry is available online - http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Out_of_home_care