Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
Questions & Answers Paper No. 158 - Parliament of New South ...
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7115<br />
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<br />
MONDAY 12 OCTOBER 2009<br />
7648 SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLES—Mr Peter Debnam to ask the Premier, and Minister for the Arts—<br />
7649 DET FUNDING—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Education and Training, and Minister for<br />
Women—<br />
7650 UNPAID HOSPITAL BILLS—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Deputy Premier, Minister for Climate<br />
Change and the Environment, and Minister for Commerce representing the Attorney General, Minister<br />
for Industrial Relations, Minister for Health, Minister for the Central Coast, Vice President <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Executive Council—<br />
7651 WEST RYDE DEVELOPMENT—Mr Victor Dominello to ask the Minister for Housing, and Minister<br />
for Western Sydney—<br />
7652 WOOD SUPPLY AGREEMENTS—Mr Andrew Fraser to ask the Minister for Education and Training,<br />
and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy, Minister<br />
for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development—<br />
7653 SUSTAINABLE YIELD OF BLACKBUTT—Mr Andrew Fraser to ask the Minister for Education and<br />
Training, and Minister for Women representing the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy,<br />
Minister for Mineral Resources, Minister for State Development—<br />
*7654 CARER ASSESSMENTS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services—<br />
(1) (a) Does the Department <strong>of</strong> Community Services complete carer assessments on all carers prior to<br />
the finalisation <strong>of</strong> a child's placement?<br />
(b) If not, why not?<br />
(2) In how many instances was there a failure to conduct a carer assessment before a child's placement<br />
was finalised in:<br />
(a) 2007;<br />
(b) 2008;<br />
(c) year to date?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) (a) Community Services conducts assessments on authorised foster carers and relative ⁄ kinship<br />
carers prior to finalising a child's placement with them.<br />
(b) In an emergency, a child or young person may be placed with a relative or another person<br />
identified by the child, young person or their family who is not an authorised carer or who has not<br />
yet completed assessment as a relative ⁄ kinship carer. In these circumstances:<br />
• A check <strong>of</strong> the Community Services' database is conducted for references to the prospective<br />
carer<br />
• Information is obtained from Police with regard to criminal record information as well as any<br />
additional information about the person being a "person <strong>of</strong> interest" to police for reasons<br />
relating to the safety, welfare and well being <strong>of</strong> a child or young person.<br />
• A Placement Needs Assessment is undertaken as soon as practical to determine the best<br />
course <strong>of</strong> action for the child or young person.<br />
(2) There is no aggregated level data available which examines this issue.<br />
*7655 CHILD WELL-BEING UNITS—Ms Pru Goward asked the Minister for Community Services—<br />
(1) How many child well-being units have been established and were operating as at 31 August 2009?<br />
(2) What arrangements have been made to enable the child well-being units to exchange information<br />
relating to reports <strong>of</strong> harm?<br />
(3) How many Regional Referral Centres have been established, with what staff and cost?<br />
Answer—<br />
(1) <strong>No</strong>ne - Child Wellbeing Units (CWUs) are scheduled to commence a trial and testing period in<br />
October 2009.<br />
(2) <strong>New</strong> provision in the Children Legislation Amendment (Wood Inquiry Recommendations) Act 2009<br />
will enable prescribed bodies, including agencies with Child Wellbeing Units to share information to<br />
assist with service delivery for the safety, welfare and wellbeing <strong>of</strong> a particular child or young<br />
person. Under Chapter 16A, one prescribed body may provide information relating to the safety,<br />
welfare or wellbeing <strong>of</strong> a child⁄young person to another if the information would assist with making a<br />
decision, assessment, investigation or service delivery. An agency may also provide information on<br />
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