Page 6210 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
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Initial checks would include the Care and Protection Services database check and, in an emergency situation, a verbal request to the Australian Federal Police seeking an initial criminal records check and response indicating no issues of concern, or areas of concern that would prohibit placement of a child or young person. A written request and response would follow-on from this.
The After-Hours Crisis Service area of Care and Protection Services has established links with the Australian Federal Police and relevant information is shared in keeping with legislative provisions. The After-Hours Crisis Service also has access to the Care and Protection Services database system 24 hours per day.
These checks are undertaken following consent provided from the carers.
(6) There are a number of mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing kinship care placements:
a) Children placed with grandparents and other kinship cares are directly supported by Care and Protection Services caseworkers. This provides a level of supervision and intervention in keeping with the family needs, and the ‘least intrusive’ principle of the Children and Young People Act 2008. In the event that significant issues arise in the child’s, carer’s or family circumstances, a more formal review of the carer’s suitability may be undertaken. This review may also be triggered by the presenting behavioural needs of a child or young person and the capacity of the carer to support those needs.
b) An annual review is undertaken for each child or young person who is in care. The Children and Young People Act 2008 requires that the Chief Executive review the circumstances and living arrangements of the child or young person in care. Included in this process is a review of how the child’s placement is progressing and identification of strengths and emerging issues.
c) A Review of Arrangements for a child occurs at 3 month or 6 month intervals dependant on the needs of the child and stability of the placement, this is an opportunity to review how the placement is progressing and to identify current issues for the child and carers and to develop planning in response to any identified issues.
(7) A carer would be consulted and involved in the development and implementation of a Care Plan for the child. A written Care Plan is a tool that outlines the responsibilities and actions related to the needs of a child in the care of the Chief Executive. A Care Plan is also lodged at the Children’s Court.
A carer will also be invited to attend and contribute to a Review of Arrangements. A Review of Arrangements for a child occurs at 3 month or 6 month intervals dependant on the needs of the child and stability of the placement. The Review of Arrangements is used to convene relevant professionals and family members for a child and the discussions and actions agreed in this forum are then reflected in the Care Plan.
(8) If circumstances change in the care arrangements then the Care and Protection Services caseworker would endeavour to resolve the issues ‘in placement’, through direct work or by convening a Review of Arrangements, so minimising disruption to the child.
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