The Victorian Ombudsman is calling for a major reform of the Child Protection residential care system after investigating complaints about alleged assaults of five children in care.
In her report, Investigation into complaints about assaults of five children living in Child Protection residential care units, Ombudsman Deborah Glass said the children were allegedly victims of multiple physical and sexual assaults while in residential care and aged 11 to 15 at the time of the incidents.
“Some of the assaults have been proven in court or are currently before the courts,” Ms Glass said.
“In other cases, there was insufficient evidence for Police to take matters further or the assaults were not reported or recorded,” she said.
Ms Glass said the children needed the State to give them a safe home but they ended up more damaged, with even greater odds to overcome to lead meaningful and productive lives.
She said the experiences of the five children were not new or isolated.
“In the last decade, numerous independent bodies, including the Commission for Children and Young People, have warned of significant and systemic problems with the residential care system,” she said.
“Yet despite the numerous critical reports, solid legislative framework and indeed, the good intentions of the many hardworking and dedicated professionals who work in the system, it continues to fail.”
The Ombudsman said the failures were not the result of deliberate disregard for the welfare and safety of children, either within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or the Community Service Organisations.
“They stem from a system that is neither resourced nor structured to address the multiple complex demands being placed on it,” she said.
Ms Glass made five recommendations, including converting standard four-bed residential care units to therapeutic two-bed units; establishing an independent advocate for children in care within the Commission for Children and Young People; regulating the administration of chemical restraints; all alleged assaults of children to be reported to Victoria Police; and that DHHS conduct a review of the children in the report who remained in residential care.
The Ombudsman’s 113-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
