By Ombudsman SA
Ombudsman SA is an independent body that looks into complaints about state and local government in South Australia. We are here to make sure government acts with fairness, integrity and transparency.
Children and young people in care frequently interact with a broad range of government services, including education providers such as schools, and universities, as well as youth justice, youth detention, child protection, health, residential care and housing services.
If children, young people, or their carers believe they have been affected by unfair treatment, unreasonable decisions, delays, or improper conduct by a government agency or service, they can make a complaint to the Ombudsman.
For example, you might have a complaint about:
- how Department for Child Protection responded when you raised a concern
- problems accessing education, such as being excluded from school activities
- unfair contact arrangements with family or siblings
- your treatment at Kurlana Tapa (for example, being secluded from others or access to medical treatment)
- your cultural identity needs not being supported or respected
- concerns about how you are being treated by a foster carer or residential care worker.
We can also review decisions by the Department for Child Protection when requests are made by care leavers for their personal records.
Sometimes Ombudsman SA will work with parties to resolve the issue. If the matter is serious, we may conduct a formal investigation. Our aim is to find out the facts and get agencies to remedy their decisions where they have been unfair or unreasonable. We also make recommendations to agencies to prevent future errors from occurring and improve the way they deliver their functions on a systemic level.
You can talk to Ombudsman SA about lodging a complaint by calling (08) 7322 7020 or visit our website: https://www.ombudsman.sa.gov.au.
Young people residing in Kurlana Tapa may contact Ombudsman SA via the resident telephone system by pressing #2 and #10.
They can also talk to an Advocate from Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People by pressing #2 and #6.
The Guardian for Children and Young People can also make a complaint on your behalf to Ombudsman SA or refer systemic issues it believes should be investigated by the Ombudsman.
Other offices that can be contacted to lodge a complaint on your behalf include the Commissioner for Children and Young People and the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
