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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1035 asked in the Legislative Council on 24 September 2020 by Hon Nick Goiran

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

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.