Government drives down number of children in emergency accommodation as final report released

5 August 2024

The NSW Government has moved some of the state’s most vulnerable children out of unsuitable emergency accommodation, saving more than $125 million, after a report highlighted the confronting experiences of children and young people.

Today, the Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) released its final report on high-cost emergency arrangements (HCEAs), after a special inquiry commenced in September 2023.

HCEAs, which can include hotels and motels, are typically used when a young person is removed from their family and there is not a suitable placement available for them.

This can cost upwards of $2 million a year for each child; more than $38,000 a week. In comparison, a child in foster care costs a maximum of $74,000 per year.

An interim ACYP report, released in May, detailed that some children in HCEAs felt like they had been moved “from cage to cage”. In response, the NSW Government established an urgent review of the child protection system which is expected to be completed by October 2024.

A dedicated team, established to move children from HCEAs to more suitable arrangements, has achieved significant results – with the number of children in HCEAs dropping by 25% in eight months, from 506 in November 2023 to 381 on July 31.

Children can be restored to their families where safe, or matched with newly-recruited emergency foster carers.

Some of the children moved from HCEAs include Bailey* and Casey*, two Aboriginal siblings who have now been safely restored to their parents. Alex* spent over 900 days in an HCEA and is now living independently, with the support of a non-government organisation.

The final ACYP report details the heartbreaking experiences of 21 children and young people in emergency accommodation. It provides recommendations for action, which the Government accepts and has already commenced work to implement.

A copy of the report is available from: https://www.acyp.nsw.gov.au/special-inquiry

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said:

“I have been working closely with the Advocate for Children and Young People to respond to this report, including meeting with some of the young people who shared their stories.

“The stories are stark and shocking and confirm what I have been saying for the last year: that the child protection system is broken and needs reform.

“Since last year, we have worked hard to get children out of these inappropriate arrangements – and the numbers have dropped significantly.

“We will continue our work to get the best outcomes for children in out-of-home care in NSW.”

*Names changed for privacy.