The Commissioner for Children and Young People has tabled a report in Parliament proposing that the rights of all children and young people in care be upheld every day, and responses to those with harmful sexual behaviour be strengthened.
Commissioner, Colin Pettit said the Independent Review into the Department of Communities’ policies and practices in the placement of children with harmful sexual behaviours in residential care settings (September 2021) had made recommendations to this effect.
“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and other previous inquiries have consistently highlighted the vulnerability of children and young people to abuse and harm in institutional settings and the unique barriers they face in speaking up and seeking help,” Mr Pettit said.
“I have made six findings on systemic issues related to the wellbeing of children and young people in residential care and nine recommendations, three to the Minister for Child Protection and six to the Department of Communities.”
He said his recommendations covered implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations; providing comprehensive specialist services to children and young people in care who experienced or exhibited harmful sexual behaviour; and establishing an independent advocacy function for children and young people in care.
Mr Pettit said also recommended was the implementation of a framework to guide the Department’s responses to children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour; resourcing, mandating and delivering harmful sexual behaviour training; and commissioning the scoping of work to implement an information management system fit for the functions of the Department.
Mr Pettit acknowledged the Minister for Child Protection, Simone McGurk’s support of the Review and the cooperation of Department of Communities and non-Government care sector staff.
The 96-page Review can be downloaded at this PS News link.
