In short:

An independent organisation will be selected to review how South Australia's child protection department deal with complaints.

Some foster carers say they would rather an independent complaints unit is established instead.

What's next?

An SA government spokesperson says updates on the progress of the review would be shared "as appropriate".

South Australia's child protection minister has ordered an independent review of her department's handling of complaints, following mounting foster carer claims of a "toxic culture" within the agency.

In a letter addressed to South Australian foster and kinship carers – seen by ABC News – Minister Katrine Hildyard wrote that the review would help the Department for Child Protection (DCP) "further understand its strengths and required improvements".

"I have heard from carers about difficulties with the DCP complaints process," she wrote in a letter dated July 17.

"For greater accountability, the chief executive has restructured the team and incorporated complaint functions into the office of the chief executive.

"I have now also requested that the chief executive organise an independent review of the complaints process."

The letter was sent following calls from some foster carers for an independent unit to investigate allegations of bullying, discrimination and harassment within the department.

Some carers claim they face repercussions if they lodge complaints about department workers, with limited external oversight.

A state government spokesperson told ABC News it would select an "organisation independent of government" to conduct the review.

"Further details will be finalised following this appointment," the spokesperson said.

"It is our intent that the review moves as quickly as is practical with timelines agreed when the independent reviewer is selected.

"The minister is committed to transparency and will share updates on the progress of the review as appropriate."

Carers reject need for a review

A group representing South Australian foster and kinship carers said the review was not needed because the department's complaints process had already been examined in an independent inquiry conducted two years ago.

The 2022 investigation by child protection expert Dr Fiona Arney found there was a "lack of independence" in the department's internal complaints process.

"Clearly, a process that requires individuals and teams to receive and respond to complaints regarding their own performance, behaviour or decision-making represents a significant conflict of interest and by no means guarantees that the process will be impartial or fair," Dr Arney wrote.

"Of significant concern to the Inquiry was the number of submissions that included allegations of carers experiencing care concerns, threats of placement change, bullying and harassment in response to carers raising complaints."

 

Dr Fiona Arney led an independent inquiry into foster and kinship care in 2022.

Dr Arney had recommended that the government establish an "independent quality assurance unit" to respond to complaints that relate to bullying, discrimination and harassment.

The Carer Project co-chair, Joyce Woody, whose organisation represents hundreds of foster and kinship carers, said Dr Arney's recommendation had not been implemented by the government.

"It's very concerning now that there is a review, but no information and carers are mostly concerned that it's going to go back to DCP reviewing themselves again," she said.

"We need outcomes, we need action."

"We need an independent complaints unit like all other sectors of the community get."

Greens MLC Tammy Franks agreed that DCP's complaints system had already been examined.

"Ms Hildyard needs to read the reviews that she already has, rather than commission yet another review," she said.

"Stop kicking the can down the road and get on and do your job."

Carers say SA child protection system is in 'crisis'

The announcement of the review follows weeks of criticism from the state's opposition and carers over Ms Hildyard's performance, with some calling for her to stand down as child protection minister.

Earlier this month, the department revealed nearly 50 people had been charged with sexual offences against children in state care over the past two years.

Ms Woody said there was a "toxic culture" within DCP, and it was a "rarity" for the department to acknowledge wrongdoing.

"Carers have been treated like mugs, they're being taken advantage of the system is falling apart, it's in disarray," she said.

"We are in a crisis."

ABC News has contacted DCP for a response.

SA premier defends minister

Premier Peter Malinauskas defended Ms Hildyard on Thursday, saying she was "doing her best under an extremely difficult set of circumstances".

He said he was not planning any ministerial changes.

"I think Katrine deserves a bit of credit for her steadfastness and her focus, which is exactly what people expect of her," he said.

"The government has a stable ministry, it has a high degree of stability and certainty, a cohesive culture, and I know that is very much at the envy of our political opponents."