CYF Placing At Risk Children In Backpackers’
-Parliamentary Questions-
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 4:36 PM Subject: 12882 (2003) Published - Social Development & Employment (Associate Minister - CYF)
Question: Has the CYF office in Timaru accommodated any children in a backpacking hostel, if so, when and what was the
length of stay?
Portfolio: Social Development & Employment (Associate Minister - CYF) Minister: Hon Ruth Dyson, Date Lodged:09/12/2003
Answer Text: I am advised that the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services has not accommodated any children (0
to 13 years) in a backpacker hostel, but has recently accommodated two young people (15 and 16 years respectively) in a
backpacker hostel. One young person was in the hostel from 24 to 30 September 2003, the other from 17 to 21 October and
14 to 20 November 2003.
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 4:36 PM Subject: 12881 (2003) Published - Social Development & Employment (Associate Minister - CYF)
Question: Has the CYF office in Timaru accommodated any children in a backpacking hostel, if so, why?
Portfolio: Social Development & Employment (Associate Minister - CYF) Minister: Hon Ruth Dyson, Date Lodged:09/12/2003
Answer Text: I am advised that the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services has not accommodated any children (0
to 13 years) in a backpacker hostel, but has recently accommodated two young people (15 and 16 years respectively) in a
backpacker hostel. For both young people there were momentarily no other placements available. Both had refused to stay
with caregivers they had been placed with. One was on Youth Court bail at the time and the court was informed about the
accommodation. Both young people are currently placed with caregivers.
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 4:36 PM Subject: 12884 (2003) Published - Social Development & Employment (Associate Minister - CYF)
Question: Has the CYF office in Timaru accommodated any children in a backpacking hostel; if so, what supervision was
provided?
Portfolio: Social Development & Employment (Associate Minister - CYF) Minister: Hon Ruth Dyson, Date Lodged:09/12/2003
Answer Text: I am advised that the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services has not accommodated any children (0
to 13 years) in a backpacker hostel, but has recently accommodated two young people (15 and 16 years respectively) in a
backpacker hostel. One young person had daytime access to their social worker and night-time access to the after hours
social worker. The second young person had daytime access to their social worker and a resource worker; night-time
access to the after hours social worker; daily police visits and the arrangements were known to the Youth Court.