Page 3929 - Week 12 - Thursday, 29 October 2015
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Proposed changes amend the criteria for a short-term parental responsibility provision for children under two years old. The period of time will reduce from not longer than two years to one year. For children over the age of two years the period of time will remain at two years. I acknowledge that this proposed amendment has raised some concerns in the community, specifically that 12 months will not give birth parents enough time to address the issues that caused the removal of their child in the first place, and that this may put them at extra risk of losing their child permanently.
Clearly, these are complex and difficult matters to consider. I understand this issue was considered at length as part of the development of a step up for our kids, involved extensive public consultation and is supported by health professionals and those who have witnessed the impact repeated trauma has on a young person. That is why a step up for our kids has a focus on providing intensive support to families who become involved in the care and protection system.
I announced on Tuesday that we have commissioned services from UnitingCare to commence in January 2016 that will assist birth parents to access practical in home support and guidance to help address the issues that have contributed to their families unravelling. UnitingCare’s Aboriginal and development unit, Jaanimili, has already commenced planning with my directorate to prioritise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to access these services from January. This marks a significant commitment by the ACT government to reduce the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in out of home care.
All families will be engaged to access timely and appropriate supports to achieve reunification where it is possible and in the best interests of the child. In relation to this point, I would mention here that the Childrens Court is already able to make long-term care orders in reduced times under the Children and Young People Act, and that this does happen. I wish to emphasise that this 12-month period will not trigger an automatic requirement for the court to make a long-term order. However, it does allow for the consideration of a long-term order if this is in the best interests of the child.
The second set of amendments is about transferring full parental responsibility for a child to a carer as early as possible. Enduring parental responsibility orders support permanency placement for a child or young person in care by transferring all aspects of parental responsibility from the director-general to a carer whereby the director-general no longer has responsibility for the child or young person. This is a very good outcome for the child or young person as it normalises their relationship with their new family. Enduring parental responsibility orders are similar to adoption but preferred for children and young people in kinship care arrangements and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people as they do not change familial relationships.
To promote a stable family environment for a child or young person as quickly as possible, the proposed amendments will reduce the period of time that a child or young person is required to be living with the carer who will be assuming full parental responsibility. The period of time will reduce from two years to one year, or for the
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