South Australian Child Protection Minister Rachel Sanderson has called for an apology after the Opposition made allegations that she ignored her department's advice and visited children in residential care, causing a teenager to run away and commit a series of crimes.

Key points: Opposition made allegations that the Minister ignored her department's advice

They claimed her actions caused a teenager to run away and commit a series of crimes

Sanderson denied allegations, called for an apology

Labor has called for an independent investigation into the allegations, with the Opposition's child protection spokeswoman, Jayne Stinson, saying multiple sources had confirmed the incident to her.

Ms Stinson said the Minister was advised that the children in a particular facility were vulnerable and wouldn't respond well to a visit from an authority figure.

But she said Ms Sanderson insisted, visiting the facility and meeting with children there in April.

Ms Stinson said during the visit, a 17-year-old boy raised issues with his accommodation and became increasingly agitated.

"Certainly at the time he left, staff were dealing with a young man who was screaming and shouting and banging on doors and they had to calm him down," Ms Stinson said.

She said the boy later absconded from the facility, and joined up with other boys who broke into a home, stole a car and petrol. He was arrested at the Victorian border two days later.

"It shouldn't have come as any surprise to [the Minister] that her going in there as an authority figure would agitate or have the risk of agitating young people and could lead to dire consequences and that's exactly what happened," Ms Stinson said.

Minister says claims are incorrect

But in a statement to Parliament, Ms Sanderson completely denied the allegations.

"I won't be going into the details regarding that individual as it would be inappropriate to do so, but I can inform the House that the Member for Badcoe's claims are incorrect," she said.

The Chief Executive of the Child Protection Department, Cathy Taylor, released a statement backing up Ms Sanderson's denials.

"Minister Sanderson was accompanied by me to this and other visits to residential care facilities," the statement said.

"At no time was Minister Sanderson advised by me or members of my department not to visit this residential care facility."

Jayne Stinson said the Minister was advised that the children in a particular facility were vulnerable. ( Twitter: Jayne Stinson (@jaynestinson) )

The Opposition also criticised Ms Sanderson for suggesting children in state care should have elocution and deportment lessons.

Under questioning in Parliament, Ms Sanderson admitted she had made the suggestion, referring to her experience running a modelling and training agency.

"I had 18 years in the industry. I see great benefit in all engagement, whether it's in confidence, whether it's in getting jobs, job interview skills, speech classes," Ms Sanderson said.

While she said there were no plans to go ahead with elocution and deportment lessons, Ms Stinson said it was evidence the Minister wasn't up to her job.

"We would say that just goes to a minister who maybe is well-meaning, but really is out of her depth and doesn't really have a clue what she's doing," Ms Stinson said.