Children’s Commissioner Mark Morrissey says Tasmania’s out-of-home care system needs scrutiny

TASMANIA’S Children’s Commissioner says the state’s out of home care system needs independent oversight.

The Tasmanian Commissioner for Children Mark Morrissey has made seven recommendations including an independent umpire to scrutinise out-of-home care. Picture: KIM EISZELE

TASMANIA’S Children’s Commissioner says the state’s out-of-home care system needs independent oversight.

In a report released today on children and young people in out-of-home care in Tasmania, Children’s Commissioner Mark Morrissey has made seven recommendations including an independent umpire to scrutinise the system.

Mr Morrissey said the majority of children had a positive experience in out-of-home care in Tasmania, a “smaller but not insignificant” group did not.

He said the Government should set up an official visitor program so children in out-of-home care could regularly speak with someone independent of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“My review found that in Tasmania kids in care don’t have anyone who is independent and impartial to speak to about their lives and care arrangements. This must change,” Mr Morrissey said.

“These children should have access to a person, independent of the department who can focus solely on safeguarding their safety and wellbeing. This should be a person other than their child safety worker or carer. If required, children could be supported to make a complaint or seek a review of a decision.”

MORE: GOVERNMENT REVIEWING AGREEMENT WITH OUT-OF-HOME CARE PROVIDER

Mr Morrissey also found there were currently no official standards of service delivery for out-of-home care.

“The delivery of out-of-home care in Tasmania should be held to account against an agreed set of standards with performance against those standards publicly reported on,” he said.

Mr Morrissey announced his review in December, after significant concerns were raised about Tasmanian children in the care of a private out of home care provider.

MORE: TASSIE KIDS REMOVED FROM SAFE PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Eleven children were removed from the care of private provider Safe Pathways following a State Government review.

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said children were removed from Safe Pathways’ care because of media scrutiny. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The review was prompted by a series of allegations about the level of care provided to children.

At the time Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said the children had been removed from Safe Pathways’ care because of media scrutiny.

Safe Pathways no longer receives State Government funding.