SA government proposing shake-up of process for reporting concerns about foster carers

Foster parents say the system for reporting concerns about children in state care is being used to punish “struggling” carers.

Foster carers who could not afford to pay rent or buy school uniforms for vulnerable children they took in say they were reported to authorities, rather than given support.

Almost 3000 cases of suspected abuse or neglect of kids in state care, by either a carer or government worker, were flagged last financial year.

Known as care concerns, these reports are investigated by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) but carers are pushing for a more independent process.

The state government is proposing a new “quality of care” reporting system, to replace care concerns, but they would still be assessed by DCP staff.

Foster parents have told a parliamentary inquiry the current process is not transparent, and is often used as a punishment.

One woman caring for a boy with complex needs was “struggling financially” and had asked for “help with uniform costs”.

“(This) prompted a care concern (which) they’ve only been told about a year later, with no additional support,” a submission said.

In another case a single carer looking after four children was unable to pay housing costs and “became homeless” for just over a fortnight.

“All I got from DCP was a petrol voucher and a care concern,” they wrote.

A third carer said they were afraid of a care concern being lodged if they physically defended themselves during a violent outburst by a teen in their care.

Foster parents say they are being reported to authorities rather than given support. Picture: iStock

Figures released following requests from the Sunday Mail show almost two in every five care concerns lodged in 2023-24 were assessed as not requiring any response.

DCP deputy chief executive Darian Shephard-Bayly said even if such concerns were “not progressed” DCP staff could “identify additional support options for carers, whilst also ensuring the safety of the child”.

“This could include providing respite options, therapeutic interventions or further training for a carer,” he said.

Almost half the care concerns in 2023-24 were deemed “minor”, about 12 per cent were “moderate” (366 reports) and 3 per cent “serious” (87).

Neglect was most common (72) followed by physical abuse (51), emotional abuse (50) and sexual abuse (3).

The DCP could not make a finding in 61 cases but these reports, as well as those deemed minor, remain on a carer or worker’s record, in line with the requirements of the State Records Act.

Any criminal offences are referred to police.

Carers say the current system, in which DCP staff investigate care concerns, is inappropriate because a DCP worker may have lodged the report, or be involved in some way.

They want a separate channel for the reporting and assessing of care concerns and independent appeal options.

Carers also say concerns should not stay on their record if they are not substantiated.

The proposing a new “quality of care” reporting system, would create a new avenue to review decisions about care concerns and workers involved in a child’s care would be separated from any investigation of care concerns about that child.