Disconnected, Unprotected: Inquiry into the care of 19 of WA’s most vulnerable children
WA Commissioner for Children and Young People, Dr Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, has released the results of an Inquiry examining the experiences of 19 of Western Australia’s most vulnerable children, all of whom had experienced multiple admissions into Kath French Secure Care Centre between 2020 and 2025.
‘DISCONNECTED, UNPROTECTED: What happened to the best interest of the child?’ follows the lifecycle of their journey through the out of home care system, and the system’s responses to their needs over time.
The report identifies 50 findings and makes 56 recommendations designed to assist the Department of Communities and the Western Australian Government to take action to improve the outcomes for children and young people in the out of home care system.
Findings identified repeated lack of evidence that the objects and principles of the Children and Community Services Amendment Act 2021 (WA) were being followed, consistent failure to demonstrate fulfillment of many aspects of the Nine Dimensions of Care, and persistent safety concerns throughout time in care.
Key recommendations
- Ensuring that children’s voices are heard and actively inform their care planning.
- Upgrading client management systems within the Department of Communities, inclusive of providing better case documentation and embedding an independent audit process.
- Developing shared systems across key government agencies that include universal referral forms and mechanisms for data collection to monitor outcomes for children in out of home care.
- Increasing the number of independent advocates for children in out of home care.
- Designating the Kath French Secure Care Centre as a mental health facility to ensure necessary oversight and protection in relation to the rights, advocacy and support for children and young people with mental health conditions in care, including oversight of the use of restrictive practices.
The Inquiry highlights the importance of ensuring children and young people receive appropriate, stable and coordinated care that responds to their individual circumstances and needs.
Read the young people’s summary report
Comment from the Commissioner
“Every child has the right to feel safe, to be heard and to receive the care and support they need to thrive.
“These are not optional aspirations. They are fundamental rights recognised under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and they must remain at the centre of every decision made about a child in care.”
“Children who have experienced significant adversity should not have to navigate gaps between services or experience repeated disruptions to receive appropriate support.
“By examining the experiences of these 19 children, the Inquiry provides an opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by children and young people with complex needs and identify where government systems and services can improve.
“Although the Inquiry focuses on a small group of 19 of our most vulnerable children and young people, the findings and recommendations I have made relate to, and will benefit, all children in care in Western Australia if they are implemented.
“I call on government to carefully consider the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations and to demonstrate a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children in care, who are without doubt, some of our State’s most vulnerable.
“This Inquiry reinforces the need for a long-term, whole-of-government strategy that brings together child protection, health, mental health, education, disability, housing and justice agencies around a shared commitment to family wellbeing and better outcomes for children.
“We are at a crossroads and we must address these critical flaws in our child protection system immediately – our children’s lives are at stake!”
Dr Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, Commissioner for Children and Young People WA
Background
Secure Care is short-term, intensive care for children and young people in out of home care who pose an immediate and substantial risk to themselves or to others where there is no other suitable way to manage that risk and support the child or young person in receiving the care needed. It is used when a child presents with multiple and serious risk factors, such as persistent absconding, high-risk behaviours, harmful substance use, severe self-harming behaviours or association with unsafe individuals or environments.
The Inquiry was conducted under Section 19 (f) of the Commissioner for Children and Young People Act 2006 (WA), which grants the Commissioner the power to examine and report on issues affecting the wellbeing of children and young people in WA including: government policies and practices; legislation; systemic issues affecting children and young people; and service delivery and outcomes across agencies.
Media contact
Megan Sadler
Phone: 0434 327 804
Email: megan.sadler@ccyp.wa.gov.au