❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks information on the whereabouts of children in care, specifically those reported missing or unaccounted for. The Minister provides updated figures and details on related investigations.

Children in care—Whereabouts unknown2.Hon Nick Goiranto theminister representing the Minister for Child Protection:I refer to the answer to my question without notice 1196 asked on 3 December 2025.(1) Has the one child that the department reported to WA police as a missing person been found?(2) Have the two children recorded as "unaccounted for, not in contact" been found?(3) Are the whereabouts of the eight children recorded as "unaccounted for, in contact" now known?(4) For how many days were the whereabouts of the 11 children unknown, and have reports been received of any of the children being victims of crime during the period they were unaccounted for?(5) How many children who are in the care of the CEO have their whereabouts currently recorded as:(a) "unaccounted for, in contact";(b) "unaccounted for, not in contact"; and(c) "missing"?

Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following response has been provided by the Minister for Child Protection.The Department of Communities advises the following as at 24 February 2026.(1) The whereabouts of the one young person is now known.(2) The whereabouts of the two young people are now known.(3) The whereabouts of seven of the young people are now known. The whereabouts of one young person was known; however, the young person is currently "unaccounted for, in contact".(4) The period that the 11 young people's whereabouts were unknown ranges between one day and 19 days.All reported or disclosed allegations or incidents relating to a child in care being a victim of crime are treated as a priority and investigated accordingly. These matters are reported to the Department of Communities' senior leadership and the WA Police Force as appropriate. In accordance with the Child Protection Guide, when missing or unaccounted for children are located, child safety practitioners engage and attempt to establish if they were a victim of crime and provide any required supports.(5) There are:(a) 13;(b) two; and(c) two. Children in care—Whereabouts unknown