The number of children in residential care in Queensland has surged to an unprecedented record high, with nearly 3,000 young people in the system as of March. This represents a significant increase from the approximately 2,200 children recorded in residential care in the previous year, highlighting a deepening crisis in the state’s child protection services. The concerning data was released alongside the government’s official response to a comprehensive inquiry into child safety, which made 52 recommendations aimed at improving the system.

Record Surge in Children in Residential Care

The latest figures reveal that 2,819 children were housed in residential care facilities in Queensland in March. This figure marks a new all-time high and underscores a growing reliance on institutional placements for vulnerable children. The increase is particularly stark when compared to the 2,200 children in care just a year prior. This trend places immense pressure on the government’s stated commitment to reform child protection and ensure more stable, family-based care arrangements.

Children Under Five Remain a Concern

Adding to the gravity of the situation, the number of children under the age of five residing in these facilities has also risen. In March, 107 children in this age group were in residential care, up from 78 the previous year. This increase directly challenges the Queensland government’s pledge, made following the child safety inquiry, to remove all children under five from residential care. Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm described the record number of children in care as a “line in the sand,” vowing to be held accountable for addressing the issue.

“That is the line in the sand, and that is my message to Queenslanders, and it’s also why we have embarked upon an ambitious recruitment process for foster and kinship carers across this state,” Minister Camm stated. She indicated that her tenure would be judged by her success in reducing these numbers.

Government’s Response to Child Safety Inquiry

The release of the record care numbers coincided with the government’s tabling of its response to the 11-month inquiry into child safety. The inquiry, led by Commissioner Paul Anastassiou KC, had previously found that no child had been adopted from state care since 2019. It put forward 52 recommendations, largely advocating for a shift towards family-based care solutions.

The Queensland government has accepted 32 of the inquiry’s recommendations outright and has agreed to implement a further 16 “in principle.” Attorney-General Deb Frecklington outlined that the government’s response focuses on five critical areas:

• Prioritising the best interests of the child above all else.
• Strengthening early intervention and prevention strategies.
• Improving the stability and permanence of care arrangements for children.
• Streamlining child litigation processes and clarifying the role of the courts.
• Updating the legislative framework through staged reforms to enhance the protection of vulnerable children.

“The system was and is broken, so the work starts today,” Ms. Frecklington declared, emphasizing the urgency of the reforms. The government has allocated $200 million in the current financial year to fund these proposed changes.

Key Recommendations and Implementation Challenges

Among the accepted recommendations is a commitment to assess the feasibility of introducing “simple adoption” and to establish adoption as a viable option irrespective of a child’s cultural background. This aspect had previously drawn criticism from First Nations advocates concerned about potential links to the historical Stolen Generations.

However, the timeline for implementing some crucial reforms has raised concerns. Several key recommendations, including changes to the criteria for removing a child from their family, prioritising family contact within child protection orders, and enhancing case management by child protection officers, are slated for a two-and-a-half-year rollout. This is significantly longer than the 12-month timeframe suggested in the inquiry report for these specific reforms.

Ms. Frecklington acknowledged the need for substantial legislative changes, stating, “There is a way forward here with the time frame, and there is also massive legislative change required to take place to ensure that, first and foremost, the paramount principle is the best interest of the child.”

Systemic Pressures and Departmental Overhaul

The child protection system is facing significant operational pressures. Data indicates that response times to urgent child safety matters have deteriorated across all metrics compared to the previous year. Over 10% of issues requiring a 24-hour response were not initiated within that timeframe, and more than 4% of matters needing a weekly response missed that deadline. On average, child safety officers are managing caseloads of nearly 16 children each.

“I am confident that my department has worked diligently to ensure that they make the assessments appropriate, but is there room for improvement? Yes, there is,” Minister Camm conceded.

The government’s response to the recommendation for a complete restructure and redesign of the Department of Child Safety was to accept it “in principle” only. Minister Camm indicated that she has dismissed several senior bureaucrats and is focused on driving accountability within the department. She also highlighted plans to review the department’s structure, implement a 20% increase in frontline staff, and ensure resources are directed effectively.

“We will also be looking very closely at our existing structure, what needs to change, our 20 per cent uplift in the front line, and how we can drive the resources where they need to be,” she said. “I will hold my Director General and the Department to account, and Queenslanders will hold me to account.”

Recommendations Under Further Consideration

Two specific recommendations from the inquiry are being held for “further consideration.” The first proposed replacing the terms “custody” and “guardianship” with “parental responsibility” to better reflect the nuances of care arrangements. The second recommended providing financial assistance to individuals granted care of a child. The government indicated these would be addressed as part of a more complex, subsequent phase of legislative reform.

Additionally, two recommendations were “noted” rather than accepted. These included a proposal for the government to guarantee legal representation for all parties involved in child protection proceedings. The government pointed to the existing support provided by Legal Aid Queensland in such matters.

The government and Minister Camm have faced public scrutiny recently, particularly following reports of children sleeping on the floor of child safety offices due to a lack of available accommodation and resources.