Why did troubled teen in state-supervised care die of a drug overdose?
A VULNERABLE teen who died of a drug overdose while in care was left supervised by a care worker with just months experience who was yet to complete mandatory training.
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A VULNERABLE teen who died of a drug overdose while in state care, and supervised by a worker with just months of experience, has again exposed deep flaws in state’s child welfare system.
Maria Liordos, 16, died of a drug overdose in September 2013 after absconding from a Department of Human Services supervised residential unit that housed teens in danger.
Liordos had a history of heavy drug use and had absconded from the unit at least 14 times, and was the subject of five recovery warrants in the months before her death.
The units are run by the Salvation Army’s Westcare, which looked after troubled teens in Melbourne’s west on behalf of DHS.
Senior manager of Westcare, Andrea Clements, today told Coroner Audrey Jamieson that Maria had drug and mental health problems and was considered to be vulnerable to sexual predators.
On the night she left the unit, care workers were aware she had gone to see “Angelo” - an adult and known drug user - but no police check was requested on him and no emergency recovery warrant sought - even though his address was known.
Maria died of a heroin and ice overdose at Angelo’s home the morning after she absconded.
On the night she ran away, one care worker had gone home sick, and the remaining one had only been in the role for months and was yet to complete mandatory crisis training.
Maria’s case manager has since been sacked by Westcare for extensive work absences.
She had previously been counselled for having inappropriate social media contact with children under her care.
“I wasn’t aware they were Facebook friends, I was informed the (case worker) was in contact with a young person but I wasn’t aware that it was Maria,” Ms Clements said.
Ms Clements today confirmed under cross-examination the case worker had received cautions for poor work performance before Maria’s death.
Ms Clements said paperwork in relation to Maria was not kept up to date and admitted to assisting other Westcare workers in preparing their statements for the coroner.
The inquest continues.