Page 3720 - Week 08 - Thursday, 19 August 2010
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(1) Does the department develop care plans for children and young people in care and protection; if not, why not; if so, who is consulted in the development of those plans.
(2) Do those plans referred to in part (1) include management of and, support for, grandparents as they age to the point of being elderly or even frail when caring for children and young people; if not, why not; if so, what management and support elements are included.
(3) Do those plans referred to in part (1) include transition to adulthood and self-care for children and young people in care and protection; if not, why not; if so, (a) what issues are considered and (b) who is consulted in the development of those transition plans.
(4) What post-care and protection support does the department provide both to carers and young people formerly in care and protection.
Ms Burch: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
1. All children and young people involved with Care and Protection Services have care plans. There are policy and procedures that guide practice and influence the development of plans that include consultation with the child/young person if age appropriate and significant others.
2. Care plans are developed to meet the needs of the child or young person. This may include services to support carers such as respite and school holiday arrangements. The Caseworker, through the assessment and consultation process, should be aware of the carers needs (including the needs of grandparent carers) and this would be discussed and strategies developed on an individual basis to support the placement. Care plans are reviewed on a regular basis, and in undertaking this task, the potential changing needs to support the placement will also be addressed.
3. Young people leaving care in the ACT have an individual Leaving Care Plan.
a) The Leaving Care Plan focuses on key areas that need to be addressed in preparation for leaving care, including living arrangements, education, training, employment or means of financial support, with particular reference to the recent Australian Government ‘earn or learn’ requirements, health and mental health, and support networks.
b) Consultation with appropriate stakeholders varies from case to case as each young person has a different set of needs and networks. Consideration would be given to the young person’s social, emotional, physical, psychological and educational / vocational needs and then an appropriate agency may be identified to become involved with the young person.
The Child Protection Case Conference Team within Care and Protection Services prioritises case conferences for all young people leaving care. The young person is invited to attend and contribute at this conference.
4. Once a young person attains 18 years of age, out of home care and community support agencies may oversee a young person’s Leaving Care Plan and provide the young person with support and follow up needed.
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