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Youth | February 08, 2019

Kealy concerned by delays in placement of children in permanent foster care

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has written to the Minister for Child Protection to express her concern about long delays in placing children in permanent foster care.

Ms Kealy has been contacted by a local short-term foster carer who has been caring for a young child for the past 18 months.

The carer advised Ms Kealy that the courts have ruled that the child be placed in permanent foster care, however over three months has now passed since the court decision with no action being taken.

“The foster carer is rightly concerned that a delay of this length will have a detrimental impact on the child, for the longer the child remains in short term care, the harder it will be for the child to transition and adjust to a permanent care family,” Ms Kealy said

“This is not the first time the foster carer has experienced substantial permanent care placement delays with children and I am aware of other short-term foster carers who have had similar experiences. 

“Our carers do an extraordinary job in opening up their homes and their hearts to children in need and the Liberal Nationals will always support the work they do in caring for some of our most vulnerable children.

“I have written to the Minister for Child Protection, Luke Donnellan urging him to immediately address this issue so that vulnerable Victorian children can be provided with timely permanent care as is their right and as should be expected from the out-of-home care system.