Rise in Out-of-Home Care Kids Sparks Urgent Calls for Change
A significant increase in children in residential care in Queensland raises concerns about their safety and well-being
Queensland, Australia, Out-of-Home Care, Residential Care, Child Safety
Brisbane: The number of kids in residential care is climbing in Queensland, and it’s causing quite a stir. A recent report shows that over 2,000 children are in these facilities, with many of them being really young.
It’s alarming to see that the number of kids in care has jumped by 19% since the government started looking into the system last year. Queensland now has the highest number of children in residential care compared to any other state.
To put it in perspective, they have four times more kids in care than Victoria, which had about 450 kids in 2023. And it’s more than double the number in New South Wales.
The Family and Child Commissioner, Luke Twyford, is really pushing for change. He’s saying that the current conditions are just not good enough. Kids are living in places that no one would want for their own children.
He mentioned that the review done last year hasn’t made any real difference. Kids are still feeling unsafe and unhappy in these homes. One child even said, “Treat us like humans, not like prisoners.” That really hits home, doesn’t it?
After the recent elections, the new government is being called out for not acting fast enough. The previous Labor government had set up a plan to improve things, but it seems like the new folks are struggling to get it off the ground.
Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm has pointed fingers at the former government, saying they left a plan without the necessary funds to make it happen. Meanwhile, the budget for residential care is expected to blow up by $500 million this year.
Queensland is set to spend over $1 billion on residential care, which is a staggering amount. The government is now looking to implement a new policy to make things better, focusing on education and support for these kids.
They’re also planning to try out a new foster care program for kids with complex needs instead of putting them in residential care. It’s a step in the right direction, but many are hoping for quicker action.