Inquest into Zhane Chilcott’s death by suicide while in care hears boy was failed by state government

An inquest into the death of a boy who took his own life in state care has heard allegations of sexual abuse – and that he was put into 18 homes in 13 years.

A teenage boy who took his life in state care had been subject to 18 different placements, was the victim of alleged sexual abuse and the subject of “critical failures” by the state, an inquest had heard.

Zhane Chilcott took his own life while in a residential facility on July 12, 2016.

He was 13 years old and had already been subject to approximately 18 placements with foster parents or in institutions.

Zhane Chilcott took his own life while in the care of Families SA.

Opening the inquest on Monday, Sally Giles, counsel assisting Coroner David Whittle, said government systems designed to protect children had failed Zhane.

Ms Giles said Zhane, along with several siblings, had been removed from the care of his biological mother when he was only a year old.

In 2005, Zhane was placed with a foster family for long-term care.

Ms Giles said it was concerning that only days before the placement, Families SA had received a notification that the new foster mother had assaulted her biological child with a kitchen implement.

Despite the report, Zhane was still placed with the family and remained there until 2011.

In that time, Families SA visited the family in person only six times. After 2008, a change in legislation meant Families SA should have been visiting once a month.

The inquest heard Zhane begun showing concerning behaviour in school, including overly sexualised behaviour.

He was excluded from school for kicking the principal.

Eventually Zhane was removed from the care of the foster parents after the relationship broke down and placed in commercial care.

Ms Giles said the later Royal Commission Into Child Protection found commercial care was “developmentally inappropriate for most children and a poor substitute for a family home”.

Zhane was eventually placed with a new family in 2013 where he flourished.

During that time, Zhane outlined the physical, emotional and sexual abuse he had experienced at the hands of his former foster mother and one of her biological sons.

That matter was referred to police and Zhane was only weeks away from giving evidence in a trial when he took his own life.

Keith Singpoo, the father of Zhane Chilcott. Picture: Mike Burton

Zhane’s time with his new foster parent was positive.

The inquest heard Zhane had arrived as an angry child but after 12 months was attending school every day and no longer required a staff member to be with him at all times.

Because of a financial dispute between the foster father, Families SA and Life Without Barriers, Zhane was removed from his care and placed in a facility in Port Pirie.

The principal of the primary school Zhane was attending spoke against the move in a letter to Families SA.

“His life is about to be turned upside down by the very process designed to support him,” the principal wrote.

“It would be a disgrace for this placement to end because of a lack of funding.”

In Port Pirie, Zhane’s behaviour regressed and led to him being moved to a Morphett Vale facility, his 18th placement.

In the months before his death, Zhane had reconnected with his biological mother and had tried to call her on the night he died.

The inquest will examine the systemic failures around Zhane’s experience in the care of the state.

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