A Latrobe Valley couple has voiced concerns about the foster care system following two incidents in which their son was left behind by his foster carer.
Mr and Ms Smith, whose names have been withheld to protect the identity of their child, said their young son Jack, whose name has also been withheld, had been in the care of the Department of Health and Human Services for about 11 weeks and had charged carers up to five times in that time.
“We got a phone call one day from the department saying this particular carer had left our son in the park while they went grocery shopping,” Ms Smith said.
“[The carer] hopped in the car and left him at the park.
“The police had to take him back to the carer.”
The Smiths said they had also been informed of a second incident in which the same carer had left Jack in the car while they farewelled a friend on a train.
“[The carer] got on the train to farewell a friend and the train left with [the carer] on it,” Ms Smith said.
“[The carer] had to call the railway station and the staff had to get him out of the car and look after him until [the carer] was able to get back to the station.”
Ms Smith said Jack had since been taken out of the care of this particular foster carer, however, in the confusion of the move DHS had neglected to give Jack critical medication.
“It is a type of tablet he is on which can have serious impacts on him if he doesn’t have it,” she said.
“It can lower his blood pressure and he could go through severe withdrawals which can make him sick.”
A DHHS spokeswoman said agencies were required to undertake safety screening, training and assessment of prospective foster parents.
“Once accredited, foster carers are monitored regularly through home visits and an annual formal review to assess their continued suitability,” she said.
“Foster care placements are determined on a case-by-case basis for individual children. These are based on the changing needs of the child and what is in their best interests.”
