At 30 June 1996 there were 13,241 children on care and
protection orders in Australia, according to a report to be
released on Friday by the AIHW. Children on Care and Protection
Orders Australia 1995-96 shows that 8,744 of these children
were on guardianship orders, which involve the transfer of legal
guardianship of a child to a State or Territory community services
department. The number and types of non-guardianship care and
protection orders vary from State to State, but do not involve the
transfer of legal guardianship of a child.
One of the report's authors, Ms Anne Broadbent, explained that
children are placed on care and protection orders as a last resort
when other forms of intervention or assistance to the family or
child by the community services department have been unsuccessful
or are inappropriate. 'Children may be placed on care and
protection orders when they have been abused or neglected, or
abandoned by their caregiver. They may also be placed on orders
when there is an irretrievable breakdown between the parents and
the child or when the child is a threat to themselves or
others.'
Ms Broadbent warned that 'we need to be careful in interpreting
and comparing these statistics. For example , the rates vary
considerably from State to State because of differences in
legislation, different types and numbers of orders, and different
policies and practices in each jurisdiction.'
Other findings of Children on care and protection orders
Australia 1995-96 include:
- The number of children on guardianship orders in Australia
remained close to the levels of earlier years (around 8,800).
- Children on guardianship orders were more likely to be older
than those on non-guardianship care and protection orders
- 24% of children on guardianship orders were aged 15 or older,
compared to only 13% of children on non-guardianship orders.
- The majority of children on guardianship orders were living in
foster care.
- Indigenous children are substantially over-represented among
children on care and protection orders.
4 July 1997
For further information: Anne Broadbent, ph. 02
6244 1157.
For media copies of the report (170pp): Mark
McCarthy, ph. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications Catalogue
for details.