Parents and care arrangements

Parents and care arrangements

Families have the primary responsibility for the upbringing, protection and development of their children (Child Protection Act 1999 (the Act), section 5(2)). When working with the family of a child in care, we must ensure that:

• preference is given to ensuring the child's wellbeing through the support of the child's family
• the views of the child's family are considered and the child's parents have the opportunity to take part in making decisions affecting their lives
• timely and accurate information is provided with respect to matters and decisions affecting the child's life, including information about accessing applicable review mechanisms.

These legislated principles highlight the need for a strengths-based, solution-focused and collaborative approach when partnering with the parents of children in care.