The need to support children and young people in statutory care who have been victims of crime - Special report to Parliament - June 2010

In NSW, victims of violent crime, including children and young people, may be entitled to apply for a range of services, support and financial compensation. As at 30 June 2009 16,524 children and young people were in our-of-home care, of these 10,628 were under the parental responsibility of the Minister for Community Services. For eligible children and young people the responsibility to lodge a claim for compensation falls to Community Services. However, between 2005 and 2009 only 368 victims compensation claims were lodged with Victims Services by that agency on behalf of children and young people in statutory care.

As a result of our investigation into Community Services handling of victims compensation claims for children and young people under the parental responsibility of the Minister for community Services, we found significant deficiencies in Community Services identification and handling of victims compensation claims for children and young people in out-of-home care. Despite the agency obligations under the Charter of Victims Rights, children and young people who are eligible to make a claim are often not being identified. For those who are identified, Community Services processing of their claim is often poorly handled.