Joshua Marshall, aged 24, who entered South Australia's state care system at age six, advocates for reform within the Department for Child Protection (DCP) by incorporating the perspectives of individuals with lived experience. He asserts that he carries both physical and emotional scars from his upbringing in residential care.
He asserts that he carries both physical and emotional scars from his upbringing in residential care.
Allegations of Abuse and Instability
Marshall alleged that he experienced physical and emotional abuse in his initial care setting. He stated that physical scars on his hands resulted from alleged bamboo lashings. An incident of alleged public humiliation, where he claims a carer forced him to walk outside naked as a young teen, led to his removal from that particular care setting.
While this alleged incident prompted his removal, the carer reportedly did not face criminal charges related to it. The carer was later charged in connection with other alleged incidents but was found not guilty by a court.
Following this, Marshall was placed in various residential care settings, including several years of short-term stays in hotels. Residential care involves housing groups of up to four children in facilities with rotational staff. Marshall reported that the constant instability, frequent changes in carers, and a perceived lack of control over his circumstances contributed to feelings of anger and frustration.
He felt he could not call any place home.
Safety policies designed for his protection reportedly created difficulties, such as DCP workers conducting walk-throughs of friends' houses before visits, which Marshall stated led to some friendships ending.
Advocating for Lived Experience in Reform
Leah Bromfield, Director of the Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP), noted that Marshall's experiences of losing friendships due to care system complexities are common among children in care. Marshall himself reported ongoing difficulties establishing and maintaining relationships due to concerns about abandonment or forced relocation.
Marshall believes that the system would be more manageable with the involvement of carers who have lived experience, providing a sense of reassurance and understanding for young people in care. Professor Bromfield emphasized that the lived experience of care leavers is underutilized in shaping system reforms and advocates for greater inclusion of their perspectives.
Professor Bromfield emphasized that the lived experience of care leavers is underutilized in shaping system reforms and advocates for greater inclusion of their perspectives.
Government Response and Youth Voices
Last year, the South Australian government established a ministerial youth advisory council to integrate lived experience into policy decisions. Following a recent youth summit co-hosted by DCP and the CREATE Foundation, the state government announced plans to "redesign the residential care system."
Joshua Marshall expressed cautious optimism, viewing the reform efforts as a long-overdue step but remaining watchful for concrete outcomes. Joshua Stewart, an 18-year-old Youth Advisory Council member with eight years of residential care experience, stated that the goal of residential care should be to break cycles of intergenerational trauma.
He advocates for increased choice and control for young people in care, highlighting that many do not consider residential facilities as homes, which can contribute to them running away.
South Australian Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard stated the government's commitment to reforming residential care, awaiting a report from the CREATE Foundation. Ms. Hildyard indicated openness to integrating lived experience peer support into the system, emphasizing that young people's voices would guide the reform.