Putting Out-of-Home Care Kids First in Public Discourse
17 March 2017
“While public discussion and debate about the out-of-home care system is really important, it also has
the potential to do harm to individual children in care. Great care must be taken to ensure that where an
issue is raised publicly it is done so in a way which is respectful towards the children involved and to
those people who are caring for them.
Of course we must all do better for these children but it is also important to understand the issues are
longstanding and complex. Solutions are not found in simple statements or accusations. The way
forward requires long term commitment and all involved putting aside our usual differences and working
together for the good of these children. We must not lose sight of the reality that children in out of home
care are living, breathing people with important needs and wishes. In all our actions, comments and
debates we must firstly ensure that we are doing no harm, even unintentionally.
Children in out-of-home care need everyone to work together to make things better for them. And they
always must be treated with dignity and respect by everyone.
As a community our goal ideally is to see the numbers of kids in care reduce through the provision of
quality, timely support to families who are experiencing difficulties. However, where a child is unable to
remain with their family and is placed in out-of-home care, the State must provide the best possible
standard of care for them.
As I said in my recent report on Children and Young People in Out of Home Care in Tasmania, the
ongoing reform of out-of-home care in Tasmania is an opportunity to deliver better outcomes for those
children for whom the State has taken on the role and responsibilities of their parent. Improved
standards and governance will improve oversight of and support for care providers.
Quality, carefully matched and well supported carers can transform young lives. I genuinely encourage
people who wish to make a positive difference in the lives of these children to consider becoming a
foster carer. In my view there are few contributions to society than can be more valuable.”
As Commissioner, I am the advocate for children and young people in Tasmania. My role is impartial
and apolitical. I am solely focused on what is best for children, young people and their families.
Mark Morrissey
Commissioner for Children and Young People
Media enquiries: 0427 008 268
Page 1 of 1
L1 – 119 Macquarie St
Hobart TAS
Australia 7000
GPO Box 708
Hobart TAS
Australia 7001
[email protected]
+61 (0)3 6166 1366
www.childcomm.tas.gov.au