25 Territory children exposed to ‘unacceptable’ harm while in out-of-home care

Territory kids removed from their families have been exposed to ‘unacceptable’ further abuse and neglect, horror stats have revealed.

A Territory Families spokesman said of the 15 foster carers found to have harmed children in the current financial year, 60 per cent had physically abused kids in their care

A child living in a centre meant to provide therapy and rehabilitation to vulnerable kids was exposed to abuse, one of 25 kids harmed in out-of home care this financial year.

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden told Estimates that 15 foster parents and one kinship carer had breached their duty of care to vulnerable children between July 2022 and March 25, 2023.

Ms Worden also revealed that an investigation had found a staff member at a residential-based care program — either CASPA or Life Without Barriers — had harmed a child in their care.

It is understood that the staff member was immediately removed from their shifts.

Territory Families Minister Kate Worden told Estimates that 15 foster parents and one kinship carer had breached their duty of care to vulnerable children. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A Territory Families spokesman did not confirm the type of harm exposed to the child, which residential care provide was involved, or if the incident was reported to NT Police.

At any time about 10 per cent of children in care were living at a Therapeutic Residential Care facility, according to Territory Families policy guides.

“Children and young people have the right to feel safe, protected and free from harm in their place of care,” the Therapeutic Residential Care policy said.

“In any circumstance that a child or young person requests contact with police they must be provided advice, support and the means to do so.”

It comes as the Office of the NT Children’s Commissioner confirmed it had completed formal monitoring of the NT CASPA residential care service, with the findings and recommendations expected to be released this year.

The OCC has also highlighted ongoing concern over abuse and neglect of kids in out-of-home care, with 25 children exposed to physical, emotional abuse, or neglect between July 2022 and March.

This is an increase from the previous financial year, with the 2021-22 annual report stating there were 23 investigations which found abuse or neglect had occurred to a child in out-of-home care.

It said 38 per cent of the kids were in foster care, 19 per cent were in residential care or a safe care house, 12 per cent were in purchased home-based care, while 6 per cent were in a corrective establishment.

“Many of these children have complex trauma as a result of adverse childhood experiences which required statutory intervention to place them in out-of-home care arrangements,” a spokesman said.

“Being subjected to further poor care or harm detrimentally affects these children’s physical, emotional and cultural safety and exacerbates trauma.”

A Territory Families spokesman said of the 15 foster carers found to have harmed children in the current financial year, 60 per cent had physically abused kids in their care.

One foster carer was found to have neglected the children in their care, while five were emotionally abusive.

“Harm to children is unacceptable,” a Territory Families spokesman said.

“If there are concerns about a child’s safety in care, immediate action is taken. This may include moving the child to a new placement.

“When there is possible criminal behaviour, the Department refers these concerns to the Northern Territory Police.”

He said foster carer and kinship carer assessments were an in-depth process, which included multiple interviews, talking with children of applicants, referees and undertaking probity checks and home environment checks.

He said the majority of children were growing up in a “stable caring environment”, as 90 per cent of children in care longer than two years had only had one placement over the past 12 months.

The latest Productivity data found that 1.8 per cent of all 1136 Territory kids in out-of-home care were exposed to sexual, physical emotional abuse or neglect.

Out-of-home care does not include children being held in youth detention, who are also in the care of Territory Families.