Page 4243 - Week 13 - Thursday, 14 December 2006
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The draft Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and ACT Policing has continued to guide practice. Progress towards finalising the draft has been made with a meeting between ACT Policing and the Department held on 5 December 2006. A further meeting will be scheduled for February 2007.
The need for further protocols across the Child at Risk Health Unit (CARHU), Care and Protection Services and the Child Abuse Team (AFP) will be determined upon completion of the current processes.
Children—care and protection
(Question No 1328)
Mrs Burke asked the Minister for Disability and Community Services, upon notice, on 17 October 2006:
What evidence exists that since 2004 the (a) ACT Children’s Plan, (b) policy for Young People and (c) the Homelessness Strategy have given priority to the needs of children and young people in the care and protection system.
Ms Gallagher: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
The ACT Children’s Plan, Young People’s Plan and the Homelessness Strategy are over-arching frameworks that articulate the Government’s priorities and actions around young people which include the needs of children in the care and protection system.
In March 2006, the Department entered into an agreement with all relevant ACT Departments to develop a framework for assistance and support to children and young people in the care and protection system. The agreement is titled ‘Sharing Responsibility: A Framework for Service Collaboration for the Care, Protection and Well being of Children and Young People in the ACT’.
Achievements giving priority to the needs of children in the care and protection system include:
• Establishment of two Child and Family Centres with an early intervention 0-2 years project to work with families who have come to the notice of Care and Protection Services;
• Provision of early intervention family support through Schools as Communities, Parentlink, Parents as Teachers and funding through the Family Support Program;
• A pilot integrated family support project for families known to the care and protection system;
• Amendment to the Children and Young People Act 1999 to include cultural plans for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children;
• Additional 21 specialist foster care placements for children with high needs since 2004;
• The improvement of policies and practices across the Office consistent with child centred practice principles;
• In 2006/07, a total of $5.1 million (GST inclusive) in funding was distributed to 25 youth programs to provide services for ‘at risk” young people including those in the care of the Chief Executive; and
• In 2005/06, $27 million was provided in Out-of-Home-Care funding for children and young people in the care of the Chief Executive;
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