In September 2023, the NSW Advocate for Children and Young People established a special inquiry into children and young people in alternative care arrangements (ACAs) which includes the use of hotels, motels and other settings for emergency out-of-home care (OOHC) placements.

The report reflects the overwhelming evidence that ACAs are not appropriate care placements or living arrangements for children and young people. This evidence comes directly from children and young people who have been placed in these arrangements and is consistent with a number of written submissions received.

The key impacts of these arrangements heard through private hearings, workshops, submissions, and other evidence include:

• Instability
• Lack of continuity, supervision and poor standard of care
• Inappropriate accommodation and living environments
• Disruption to education
• Lack of access to therapeutic supports and
• Isolation and disconnection from friends, family, community and culture.

Recommendations

1. Adopt and implement recommendation 4 of the Oversight Report to "develop and implement a strategy to end the use of hotels, motels, and serviced apartments for children in out of home care". 
2. Immediately invest in appropriate supports, and services, for the wellbeing of children and young people who are, or who have been in, alternative care arrangements.
3. Invest in an independent complaints and oversight mechanism to ensure children and young people in care arrangements can make complaints and be heard in relation to their care experience.
4. Implement practices and procedures for record keeping and conduct regular reviews of data sharing practices.