The Department for Child Protection was the lead agency responsible for the care and protection of children in Western Australia. In October 2008, the Department for Child Protection ran 21 family group homes across the state. In May 2013 its name changed to the Department for Child Protection and Family Support.
The State Records Office agency description described the creation of the Department for Child Protection, saying it was:
created in response to a critical review of the Department of Community Development by Prudence Ford in January 2007. The review formed part of a series of departmental reviews announced by the Treasurer for the 2006/2007 financial year, but was given particular urgency due to the release of the Ombudsman’s Report on Allegations Concerning the Treatment of Children and Young People in Residential Care and the report of the Select Committee on the Adequacy of Foster Care Assessment Procedures by the Department for Community Development.
The review recommended the abolition of the Department for Community Development and the establishment of two separate departments, namely the Department for Child Protection and Family Support and the Department for Communities. The review report was released by the State Government in March 2007. Through the administration of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, the Department for Child Protection is responsible for supporting families and individuals who are at risk or in crisis, and providing for the protection and care of children in circumstances where their parents have not provided, or are unlikely or unable to provide, that protection and care. Services focus on three key areas: 1. Supporting children and young people in the Chief Executive Officer’s care. 2. Protecting children and young people from abuse. 3. Supporting individuals and families at risk or in crisis.