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An inquiry has found the placement of children and young people in emergency alternative accommodation in NSW is putting them at significant risk of negative impacts and should end.

The Special Inquiry, by the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, examined the use of Alternative Care Arrangements (ACAs), which include hotels, motels and other settings for emergency out-of-home care. 

In her report, Advocate Zoë Robinson said her findings are based on the experience of those who have been in placed in these arrangements. 

“What is in the report is evidence that ACAs are not appropriate care placements or arrangements for children and young people,” she said. 

Robinson concluded the current system is not functioning appropriately. 

“It is my view that the children and young people placed in ACAs are at significant risk of experiencing negative short and long-term impacts…” 

“[T]he use of ACA accommodation should not be continued,” said Robinson. 

As at March 2024, there were 433 children and young people in what’s known as high-cost emergency arrangements (HCEAs), another term for ACAs in NSW. The figure down from around 500 in June 2023. 

ACAs are intended as a last resort, where no other placement with authorised carer is available. Supervision is carried out by sub-contracted staff from non-accredited agencies or labour hire companies. 

The report says the system cost around $100 million in the 2022/23 financial year. Although the arrangements are meant to be short-term, most are for extended periods of more than three months. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are vastly over-represented, making up more than half of all those in ACAs. 

Among the report’s recommendations is to immediately invest in supports and services, including early access to therapeutic support, and an independent complaints and oversight mechanism. 

One person quoted in the report spoke about the stress caused by the instability of placements. “[T]hey just move me around like a doggy in the pound pretty much, moving cage to cage.” 

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said she had been working closely with the Advocate to respond to the report. 

“The stories are stark and shocking … the child protection system is broken and needs reform,” she said. 

The minister said the government has been working to get children out of these arrangements and the numbers are falling. 

An urgent review of the NSW children protection system is expected to be completed by October.