Page 2622 - Week 07 - Thursday, 18 June 2009
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Where a child or young person has complex issues and is deemed highly vulnerable the OCYFS liaises with the PA ACT with regard to case management processes and directions. Care and Protection Services (CPS) invites the PA ACT to participate in care teams and other professional case management meetings. This participation allows for the sharing of professional advice. Where a child or young person may be subject to guardianship orders after 18 years the PA ACT and CPS are able to facilitate a smoother transition in planning.
OCYFS provides information to the PA ACT about all allegations of abuse in care that proceed to appraisal, as defined under the section 507 of the Children and Young People ACT 2008 (the Act). The PA ACT attends monthly reviews at which the child protection report and the appraisal outcome report are presented. This face-to-face meeting allows for the identification of both systemic and individual matters regarding children under the care of the Chief Executive. The process also allows CPS to meet its statutory responsibility of informing the PA ACT of the child protection matter.
Under section 879 of the Act, the PA ACT can seek information, advice, guidance, documents, facilities or services regarding matters pertaining to the care and protection of a child or young person known to CPS. This process enables the PA ACT to review case management decisions and seek clarification on matters regarding children and young people.
Under section 879 of the Act the PA ACT undertakes random file reviews to ensure a child centred focus, quality record keeping and compliance by agencies providing services to children and young people. Feedback from the PA ACT allows for CPS to ensure that it is meeting statutory and policy requirements in record keeping and case management processes with regard to children and young people.
The PA ACT undertakes visits to Bimberi (Youth Detention Centre) on a regular basis meeting with young people. The PA ACT liaises with management within OCYFS regarding individual and systemic issues arising. OCYFS management respond to the issues raised and work with the PA ACT to ensure that best interests principles are being facilitated regarding young people within Bimberi.
In addition, the PA ACT and CPS representatives meet on a scheduled fortnightly basis. This meeting identifies systemic issues regarding compliance matters and in particular focuses on quality matters. CPS has invited the PA ACT to collaborate on the development of quality standards for the writing of section 494 reports (Annual Review Reports).
(2) The following improved outcomes were achieved for children and young people:
• Current amendments in policy and procedural documents include systemic processes identified from discussions arising during meetings.
• Best interest principles regarding case management decisions and processes are highlighted by the audits undertaken by the PA ACT and remain a focus for CPS.
• Vulnerable children and young people receive considered and collaborative case management enabling complex matters to be addressed more effectively.
• Ongoing improvement in the quality of annual review reports written under section 494 of the Act. The review of quality processes has led to a joint project between CPS and PA ACT to develop standards for annual review documents
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