Tools to support implementing a concurrent case plan

The Framework for Practice is supported by a range of tools, which can be applied to support case planning for permanency. Think about how the tools and techniques already used in other areas of practice can be used to progress the implementation of a concurrent case plan.

Motivational interviewing can help to support the momentum for change and influence progress against agreed actions. Use empathy to work with resistance and understand the motivators, barriers and enablers to change. Approach every conversation with clarity about what needs to be talked about, revisited and progressed.

Solution focused questions can help encourage a vision for change. Talk openly with parents and the network about strengths, as well as risks, to help them envisage a pathway to positive change.

Scaling questions can help shape the discussion about where things are at now and where parents want them to be. What does long-term stability for the child look like? These questions can make a connection to the goals and actions within the plan and reinforce a step-by-step approach to change.

The cultural support plan forms part of the case plan and can help to keep the child’s connection to family, community and culture at the centre of decision making around an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child’s need for long-term stability.

If the circles of safety and support tool was completed previously, revisit the work completed with the child and family at earlier stages in the intervention to build an updated picture of who makes up their network. 

Ongoing engagement with the family while implementing the case plan can identify opportunities to build the network and surface additional connections that may be used to secure long-term stability for the child. 

Parents will often report having a limited network and conscious application of this tool during the implementation of the case plan can help explore all options, including whether it is possible for people already within the network to move towards the inner circle and provide support to achieve concurrent case plan goals. 

Use the tool to reflect on progress and celebrate each time the safety and support network is strengthened.

Genograms and kinship mapping are essential tools to support permanency planning. They are best developed with the child (where possible) and family, as they are the keepers of knowledge about who makes up their family network.  Reflect on the genogram to identify which family members the child is close to, map the emotional nature of relationships, show intergenerational patterns and highlight how relationships change over time.

Implementing permanency goals can be informed by genograms to source network members who may be considered as kinship carers for the child. Completing a genogram with a family will also identify any gaps in knowledge about the child’s relationships and where attention can be directed to help build relational permanency over time.  

Ecomaps are another method for visually displaying information about a family, including their formal and informal supports inside and outside the family structure. Use ecomaps to see a child’s connection to the world and map the broader personal and social relationships in a family. Are there any areas of isolation? Ecomaps can also be used in working with families from different cultures to increase an understanding in their definition of ‘family’. It can support a greater understanding of both relational and physical permanency which can inform concurrent planning.

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 considers 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 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 (c)).

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).