One of Queensland's largest residential care companies, Lighthouse Child and Family Services, has collapsed, entering liquidation. New Child Safety Minister Amanda Stoker confirmed the department had to step in after the sudden collapse, with four young people transitioned to other placements.
Lighthouse launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the biggest companies of its kind, at its peak operating 41 houses. On October 5, Te Namu said it was caring for 12 children. Founder Levi Te Namu, who started the company while working for Uniting Care with now business partner Joshua Hillman, said case referrals had slowed.
Minister Stoker said the department had moved swiftly. “The department has moved swiftly in managing appropriate arrangements and four young people have now been transitioned from this provider to other placements,” she said.
Workers from other agencies reported that large numbers of children in state care were being moved out of Lighthouse homes.
Te Namu said the company had been fighting for a residential care licence since April, with a decision delayed until October. The department refused the application on 1 September, a decision now subject to review by QCAT. A department spokesperson said Lighthouse was considered unsuitable for a licence under the Child Protection Act.
Child safety has become a hot-button political issue in Queensland, where the number of children in residential care has soared from 650 at the end of 2015 to more than 2800 by March this year. Former Child Safety Minister Amanda Camm resigned from the frontbench on 23 October citing health concerns, after a spate of highly publicised incidents including disturbing reports of the treatment of children in state care. At her resignation press conference, Camm said, “I have delivered the biggest reform to these portfolios in the last two years than any minister before me in 20 years.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The sudden collapse of a major residential care provider leaves vulnerable children in state care at risk of unstable placements and disrupts their support systems.
- The rape allegation and the company's licence refusal raise serious questions about oversight and regulation of the residential care industry in Queensland.
- The political fallout, including the former minister's resignation, highlights the mounting pressure on the government to fix a system stretched by a rapid rise in the number of children in care.
Background
Residential care in Queensland has expanded rapidly in recent years, with the number of children in such placements more than quadrupling from 650 at the end of 2015 to over 2800 by March 2026. Providers can operate without a licence as long as they meet minimum standards, though the department can refuse licences to unsuitable operators. Lighthouse Child and Family Services grew to become one of the state's biggest players before its collapse.
Key Perspectives
Amanda Stoker (Child Safety Minister): said the department had acted swiftly to transition children from Lighthouse and ensure alternative placements.
Levi Te Namu (Lighthouse founder): said the company had struggled for a licence since April, that the rape allegation led to the man's dismissal, and that the complaint was withdrawn by the child.
Amanda Camm (former Child Safety Minister): defended her tenure, saying she had delivered the biggest reforms to the portfolio in 20 years.
What to Watch
- The QCAT review into the department's refusal of Lighthouse's licence application.
- Whether the government introduces compulsory licensing for all residential care providers.
- Further revelations from ongoing investigations into the treatment of children in state care across Queensland.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
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- SupportedStoker said, “The department has moved swiftly in managing appropriate arrangements and four young people have now been transitioned from this provider to other placements.”The Age - Latest News: ““The department has moved swiftly in managing appropriate arrangements and four young people have now been transitioned from this provider to other placements,” the minister said.”
- SupportedCamm said, “I have delivered the biggest reform to these portfolios in the last two years than any minister before me in 20 years.”The Age - Latest News: ““I have delivered the biggest reform to these portfolios in the last two years than any minister before me in 20 years,” she said.”
- SupportedLighthouse, one of Queensland’s biggest residential care businesses, collapsed and entered liquidation.The Age - Latest News: “One of Queensland’s biggest residential care businesses has collapsed... The company went into liquidation this week”
- SupportedStoker confirmed that the department had to step in after Lighthouse’s liquidation.The Age - Latest News: “New Child Safety Minister Amanda Stoker confirmed to this masthead that the department had to step in and act following the liquidation.”
- SupportedFour young people were transitioned from Lighthouse to other placements.The Age - Latest News: “four young people have now been transitioned from this provider to other placements”
- SupportedLighthouse launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the biggest companies of its kind.The Age - Latest News: “Lighthouse Child and Family Services launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the biggest companies of its kind.”
- SupportedLighthouse operated 41 houses at its peak.The Age - Latest News: “On October 5, Te Namu said the organisation was caring for 12 children, after operating 41 houses at its peak.”
- SupportedTe Namu said on October 5 that Lighthouse was caring for 12 children.The Age - Latest News: “On October 5, Te Namu said the organisation was caring for 12 children”
- Partly supportedTe Namu said case referrals to Lighthouse had slowed.The Age - Latest News: “He said case referrals to Lighthouse had slowed before the rape allegation.”
- Partly supportedThe department refused Lighthouse’s licence application on 1 September, and the decision is under review by QCAT.The Age - Latest News: ““On 26 August, the department confirmed that the application remained under the licensing delegate’s consideration. It refused the application on 1 September, 2026,” Te Namu said.”
- SupportedThe number of children in Queensland residential care rose from 650 at the end of 2015 to more than 2,800 by March this year.The Age - Latest News: “the number of children in Queensland residential care soared from 650 at the end of 2015 to more than 2800 by March this year.”
- SupportedCamm resigned from the frontbench on 23 October, citing health concerns.The Age - Latest News: “Former minister Amanda Camm resigned from the frontbench on October 23, citing health concerns”