South Australian child protection authorities “pressured” a mother to hand over custody of her four-day-old baby to her estranged partner, in a process the state’s Ombudsman has described as “flawed” and inconsistent with a United Nations convention.
Over half a million dollars is being spent training child protection staff to better detect and prevent child grooming and exploitation after a series of recent court cases exposed a spate of abuse involving vulnerable children in residential care.
South Australian foster carers are calling on all political parties to commit to increasing carer payments, amid concerns some are experiencing “pressing and longstanding” financial strain as they dip into their own pockets to look after children under the guardianship.
South Australia’s inaugural Child and Young Person’s Visitor, who was legislated to conduct inspections and advocate for the welfare of children living in residential care following a Royal Commission, has resigned saying a lack of government funding means she can’t do the job.