The Child and Family Welfare
Association of Australia

Media Release 15 January 2003

AUSTRALIA’S FORGOTTEN CHILDREN:
The Story Gets Worse

Governments around Australia are failing in their role as substitute parents for abused children who have been removed from their families.

This is the inevitable conclusion to be drawn from a national survey of Child Protection services released today by the “Create” Foundation – the major watchdog of child protection in Australia, in its latest “report card” on these services, which highlights the continuing plight of our child welfare systems across Australia.

“The report card does not make for pretty reading,” commented Simon Schrapel, National Chairperson of the Child and Family Welfare Association of Australia.

Since 1996 Australia has witnessed a 50% increase in the number of child protection notifications, with almost 138,000 notifications of abuse or neglect being made in 2001-2.

“This trend shows no sign of slowing despite the numerous reviews of child protection services across states and territories,” Mr Schrapel said. “More disturbing though, was the increase in all jurisdictions of the number of children re-abused within a year of coming to the attention of government authorities.

CAFWAA is concerned that this demonstrates an inability of our welfare authorities, and our society, to provide the level of protection our children and young people deserve.

“This is also placing an unbearable strain upon already over-committed foster carers,” Mr Schrapel said. “The stress is showing in carers leaving the system, and in the high rates of multiple placement and unstable placements,” he said. “These trends are not sustainable without a drastic rethink and overhaul of our child welfare services including a more significant investment in supporting, training and compensating carers.”

The significant variations between States and Territories highlights the need for a national approach to child protection and alternative care. “When your chances of receiving a stable placement can vary from more than 82% in one State to as low as 42%* in another, it is clear that the well-being and outcomes for children who have been abused or neglected depends in large part on where you live. This is fundamentally inequitable” stated Mr. Schrapel.

CAFWAA acknowledges recent efforts by the Federal Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Hon. Larry Anthony, to work with State and Territory governments to improve services and bring about a greater level of consistency. Mr. Schrapel, in applauding this initiative, states that there is “a critical need to establish a national plan and to implementing national standards for out of home care services.”

* (based on Productivity Commission Report 2002 – children in care less than 12 months who have had only one placement).

Media Contact:
Simon Schrapel, CAFWAA Chairperson, mob 0411 643 132