Review a concurrent plan

A key element of effective case planning is regular and timely review. Reviewing the plan is a significant decision making stage and provides an opportunity to step back, check progress and consider actions against planning timeframes. It enables collaborative reflection on the efforts being made to work towards implementing the identified primary permanency goal, and discussion can be facilitated around next steps. Review of the concurrent plan also allows practitioners and families to openly discuss the alternative permanency goal and what needs to happen to ensure this remains a secure ‘just-in-case’ option. Are other alternatives required? Regular and timely review maintains a sense of urgency to decision making, and a clear focus on working towards long-term stability for the child.

Complete the review report

Progress towards achieving permanency is a key aspect of the review report and requires practitioners to reflect specifically on their work with the family and network to achieve long-term stability for the child. The review report must articulate a summary of progress towards the primary goal to achieve permanency (usually reunification), and include details of actions taken to progress the alternative goal to achieve permanency.

A child’s case plan must be reviewed at least every six months, although frequency of reviews takes into account the child’s age and developmental needs.  Reviewing the collaborative assessment and planning tool with the family is an effective way to engage them in the process.

If pursuing and an alternative permanency option is being considered, it is important that the review report:

• reflects all efforts to progress reunification
• demonstrates how the family were supported to engage and be involved in decision making
• clearly articulates concurrent planning and identifies the changes required for the alternative option to transition to the primary permanency goal
• states how the dimensions of permanency will be met
• captures how an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child’s connection to family, community and culture will be safeguarded.

It is useful to think about case plan reviews along a timeline of decision making and identify key decision making points. Consider along that timeline when to make a referral to a practice panel, to support and enable a collaborative discussion around strengths, needs, goals and action required. A practice panel must be convened:

• when considering the most appropriate type of ongoing intervention
• prior to finalising any permanency option
• three months before a short term child protection order is due to expire.

Working closely with the child and family will help to identify whether safe reunification is possible. The process of regular case plan reviews will inform the right time to implement the alternative permanency goal. Be open and transparent in decision making around pursuing the alternative permanency goal to secure long-term stability for the child, and recognise the grief and loss parents will experience when reunification is no longer achievable (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2018).

If possible, encourage parents to participate in supporting the transition to the alternative care arrangement identified in the concurrent plan; a positive relationship between the parents and the child’s long-term carer will help facilitate active and positive contributions to the child’s life in the future (Milani, 2014).