Former support worker gives evidence during inquest into death of boy sleeping in skip bin

An inquest into the death of 13-year-old Budda Spencer, who died in May 2021 after sleeping in an industrial skip bin in Port Lincoln, is examining the circumstances surrounding his passing. Angela Backman, the former manager of Port Lincoln's Aboriginal Family Support Services (AFSS), testified that police and child protection authorities failed to comprehend her organization's therapeutic approach to help children reconnect with their families.

Backman recounted that at one meeting, she felt both SAPOL and the Department for Child Protection (DCP) were criticizing her service for the children's frequent disappearances. She described AFSS's role as supporting parents and maintaining family unity, emphasizing their therapeutic methods and relationship-building approach. Backman also shared that SAPOL suggested installing barbed wire around a residential service, which Backman deemed unproductive.

During questioning, Backman revealed that she provided support to Budda Spencer's mother, Deborah Betts, despite her illness. However, Betts declined to attend due to health issues. Backman explained that AFSS would offer voluntary parenting programs and regularly support Budda's two friends, with whom he was closely associated. She further stated that DCP would utilize her services to read to families in need of support and offer programs, but only if the families chose to participate.

When asked if she believed DCP should offer more direct support, such as sending staff to AFSS meetings, Backman agreed, emphasizing that DCP had the authority to enforce participation while she lacked such powers. She also noted that DCP rarely visited at-risk children, failing to understand the challenges her organization faced.

The inquest has heard that Budda's mother became increasingly concerned about her son's well-being, reporting him to multiple agencies. A notification was raised with the DCP in March 2021, stating that Budda was an adolescent at risk. In April 2021, Budda attempted to hitchhike to Ceduna and was later reported missing by his family and the police.

Two weeks prior to his death, Budda's mother attended Port Lincoln Health Services, expressing her worries about her son's deteriorating condition, poor attitude, and tendency to run away from family members.