South Australian Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard has ordered an independent review of the Department for Child Protection's (DCP) complaints process. 

The decision comes in the wake of foster carers' allegations of a “toxic culture” within the department.

In a letter to foster and kinship carers, Hildyard allegedly said she plans to restructure the complaints team and integrate its functions into the office of the chief executive.

Some foster carers are calling for a separate unit to investigate bullying, discrimination, and harassment allegations within the department. They claim they face repercussions for lodging complaints, with limited external oversight.

A state government spokesperson has told reporters that an independent organisation will be selected to conduct the review. 

The review announcement follows criticism from the opposition and carers, with some calling for Hildyard to step down. 

The department recently revealed that nearly 50 individuals had been charged with sexual offences against children in state care over the past two years. 

More details are accessible here.