CHILDREN IN CARE —
UNENDORSED PLACEMENTS
1035. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Child Protection:
I
refer to the response to question without notice 939, and in particular section
3.4.23 of the casework practice manual.
(1) The manual
states that when a child has self-selected to live in an arrangement that has
not been assessed, an assessment must be conducted as a matter of priority.
What time frame must this be assessed within?
(2) When a placement has been
assessed as dangerous, how is this recorded in Assist?
(3) For each type of placement—unassessed,
unsuitable and dangerous—with what frequency is the caseworker
expected to make contact with or conduct a welfare check on the child?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The casework
practice manual specifies an assessment of an unendorsed placement should be
arranged as a matter of priority. Timing of
assessments are dependent upon the individual circumstances of the child
or young person and their situation, and prioritisation decisions are made with
the safety and wellbeing of the child and the child's best interests as
the paramount consideration.
(2) The case
management system database records all unendorsed placements and the
circumstances of these arrangements are recorded on individual case files.
(3) In all
unendorsed placements, the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person is
a priority and monitored by their case worker. A child or young person in an
unendorsed placement can access all the same supports as any other child in
care. The Department of Communities engages as soon as possible to support
young people in making safe decisions to support their wellbeing. The child's
participation is central to any safety planning process and the frequency of
contact with the child is based on the ongoing safety and wellbeing of the
child. Child protection workers must meet with a child who is in care, alone,
every three months at a minimum, to assess their wellbeing, build
relationships, determine how they are progressing in care, and hear their views
and wishes.