1636. Hon Alison Xamon to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to children in the care of the CEO, and I ask:
(a) how many children in the care of the CEO are currently in Banksia Hill Detention Centre;
(b) how many of these young people are in custody because there is no suitable accommodation available for them to be released on bail or on supervised release orders;
(c) does the Minister intend to take any action to address the issue of young people in the care of the CEO being held in custody because there are no viable accommodation options available;
(d) if yes to (c), what action; and
(e) if no to (c), why not?
Hon Sue Ellery replied:
(a) As at 1 October 2018, there were 25 young people in the CEO’s care in Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
(b)–(e) All young people remanded in Banksia Hill are there as a result of charges associated to their offending behaviours. The Department of Communities works closely with the Department of Justice to support young people in the care of the CEO whilst they are in detention including sourcing appropriate services to support their safe release into the community.
Of the 25 young people in the CEOs care, two have been granted bail however, they remain in remand due to the Magistrate at the time rejecting the accommodation options presented by the Department of Communities.
The young people in Banksia Hill have some of the most complex needs and often require specialised care to support their safety and wellbeing, as well as meet community safety expectations.
The creation of the Department of Communities has provided a unique opportunity for former Housing, Child Protection and Disability Services staff to work more cohesively together to provide a coordinated solution for these young people.
The continued implementation of Department of Communities’ Out-of-Home Care Reforms will also support improvement in this area, focussing funding on a coordinated and flexible service system that will better meet the needs of children and young people in contact with the out-of-home care system.