Case planning

Develop a case plan

A case plan is a written plan for meeting a child’s protection and care needs. Every child assessed to be in need of protection will have a case plan developed and reviewed in line with the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51A.

A case plan clearly states:
•    the goal and actions to achieve permanency for the child, and timeframes for achieving them
•    an alternative permanency goal, if the primary goal is reunification
•    actions to promote the child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing
•    the people or services who are responsible for completing the actions
•    if the child is aged 15 or older, the help and support they require to transition to adulthood.

If a child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, the case plan also includes details of how the child will be supported to develop and maintain a connection with their family, community, culture, traditions and language. 

The child is to be given meaningful opportunities to participate in case plan decisions. The child can choose to directly take part or to:

• communicate indirectly through a trusted person, including, for example, a member of the child's family or family group, the child's carer or the public guardian
• communicate indirectly through an independent person, including, for example, the child's legal representative or health practitioner
• communicate indirectly through a written statement or an audio or video recording
• communicate indirectly through an expert in a report prepared by the expert
• participate separately from particular persons.

If a child decides not to participate, or is otherwise unable to participate, information about the child's views is to be obtained, or genuine attempts made to obtain, their views in another way that is appropriate for the child, for example a report prepared by a psychologist for a child (Child Protection Act 1999, section 5E).

Case planning is a collaborative process that involves four cyclical steps:

• assessment (Refer to Assess and prepare to develop the case plan.)
• planning and developing (Refer to Plan for the family group meeting.)
• implementation (Refer to Implement the case plan.)
• reviewing. (Refer to Review and revise the case plan.)

Concurrent planning 

When a child is in care, Child Safety works with the child, their parents and their safety and support network to develop a case plan for the child that identifies:

• a primary permanency goal
  and
• an alternative permanency goal if the primary permanency goal is reunification  with the child’s parents.

This is known as concurrent planning, and it includes the development and progression of actions for achieving both goals as part of the case plan. 

Assess and plan for the primary goal as soon as the child is placed in care. If the primary goal is reunification, also assess and plan for the alternative goal. This ensures that if the primary goal cannot be achieved in a timely way:

• The child and family still have a clear plan and understanding of
  • where and with whom the child will live
    and 
  • what the child’s life will look like.
• The child’s alternative goal can be implemented in a timely manner.

Assess and prepare to develop the case plan

The assessment stage of case planning involves collaboration with the child, family and safety and support network to gather additional information:

• for the case planning process (the Child Protection Act 1999, Part 3A (sections 51A–51YB)
• to assess the child strengths and needs and parental strengths and needs 
• to ensure the ongoing intervention is appropriate to meet the child’s belonging, safety and wellbeing needs
• to prepare for a family group meeting  

As soon as a child is assessed as being in need of protection, arrange for a family group meeting referral to be completed. Contact the principal team leader for the region where the family group meeting will be held to obtain a copy of the referral form and confirm the referral process, if required. Attach all relevant information to the referral. (Refer to Provide additional information to the convenor.)

If the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, discuss with the child and family a referral to a Family Participation Program for a family-led decision making process to develop the child’s case plan. (Refer to Refer the family for family-led decision making.)

The child and their family must be given the opportunity to meaningfully participate in decision-making processes, including the case planning process. Arrange, with the consent of the child and family, for an independent person to help facilitate the child’s and family’s participation in the decision. (Refer to Enable participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in decision making.)

Gather information about the child and family

The assessment stage requires in-depth and collaborative engagement with the child, family, and safety and support network to gather and analyse information about the family’s functioning, situation, strengths and needs.

A significant amount of this information will have been obtained during the priority assessment. This information is used in the child strengths and needs assessment and parental strengths and needs assessment forms. (Refer to Complete the child strengths and needs assessment and Complete the parental strengths and needs assessment.)

The process of gathering information:

• provides an opportunity to build rapport with the child, their family and safety and support network and to engage them in the case planning process
• identifies and strengthens a family’s safety and support network
• helps develop a greater understanding of the child and family
• involves a wide range of sources to ensure the assessment is comprehensive and holistic
• provides an opportunity for children to express their views so that they can be heard in decision making
• supports active efforts being made to apply the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle when a significant decision is being made in relation to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.

Gather relevant information from:

• the child, if age and developmentally appropriate
• the parents and extended family members who may make a useful contribution to the case plan
• the child and family about their cultural background, if applicable
• the carers
• service providers such as health practitioners, school staff, Evolve  therapeutic services, counsellors, cultural support or other formal supports engaged with the family. 

If the child or a family member requires an interpreter to ensure their full participation when engaging with them, arrange an interpreter. (Refer to Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).)

Complete the child strengths and needs assessment

An assessment of the child’s strengths and needs provides a snapshot of a child’s functioning over a 6-month period. The case plan identifies how to build on the child’s identified strengths to achieve the stated goals. It includes a plan to address the child’s needs to improve the child’s emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing.

A child strengths and needs assessment must be completed:

• once the decision is made that a child is in need of protection
• before the initial family group meeting to develop a case plan for the child
• for each case plan review, if ongoing intervention is likely to continue.

The child strengths and needs assessment ensures that the child’s functioning over time is considered within the same domains, using the same criteria. This allows departmental staff to easily identify and assess changes to a child’s strengths and needs, so they can respond appropriately. 

Compete the child strengths and needs assessment form for each child in their ongoing intervention cycle. Every time a case plan is reviewed, complete subsequent child strengths and needs assessment form in the child’s new ongoing intervention cycle, using information obtained during the review process.

To complete the child strengths and needs assessment:

• Refer to the SDM Policy and procedures manual including
  • Appendix B: Case plan guidance for prompt questions to help gather information about the child
  • Appendix A: Physical and cognitive developmental milestones to help assess the child’s development.
• Meet with the child (if developmentally appropriate), the parents and carers and
  • explain the purpose of the assessment
  • explore areas of the child’s life to assist in completing the assessment, including the child's cultural background, if applicable
  • respond to any questions or worries they have.
• For every child, rate their current level of functioning in the first 9 domains, then domains 10 to 13 as required. To rate the child’s functioning in each domain, use professional judgement and consider
  • the information gathered from the range of sources outlined in Gather information about the child and family  and information from specialist assessments
  • the SDM definitions in the SDM Policy and procedures manual
  • the family’s culture—see the following practice prompt.
• Complete the child strengths and needs assessment form in Unify, selecting the level of strength or need within each domain that accurately reflects the information gathered and the definitions.
• Provide a rationale and evidence for selecting the strength or need.
• Submit the completed assessment to the senior team leader for approval.
• Provide a copy of the approved assessment to the family group meeting convenor to use in developing the child’s case plan.

Complete the parental strengths and needs assessment

A parental strengths and needs assessment is completed to systematically identify critical parental problems and strengths to help develop an effective case plan. It provides a snapshot of parental functioning over a 6-month period to assist in the case planning process.

Complete a parental strengths and needs assessment:

• after a decision has been made that a child is in need of protection
• before the initial family group meeting to develop a case plan for the child
• to inform each revised case plan, if ongoing intervention is likely to continue
• to inform each case plan until a case is closed or a long-term guardianship order or permanent care order is made.

Choose a primary and secondary parent

Before starting the parental strengths and needs assessment, determine the primary parent. This is based on the first of the following descriptions that best applies to the family situation:

1. the parent living in the household where the allegations occurred who assumes most of the child care responsibility
2. the adult who is the legal guardian of the child―if child care responsibility is shared equally between two parents (for example, the parenting is shared between a parent and a step-parent)
3. the person responsible or alleged to be responsible for the harm―if both parents are legal guardians
4. the parent demonstrating the more severe behaviour when both parents are alleged to be responsible for the harm.

If applicable, the secondary parent is an adult living in the household who has routine responsibility for child care, but less responsibility than the primary parent.

To complete the parental strengths and needs assessment:

• Refer to Appendix B: Case plan guidance in the SDM Policy and procedures manual. It provides prompt questions to help gather information about each parent.
• Meet with the parents to
  • discuss the purpose of the assessment
  • explore areas of each parent’s life to assist in completing the assessment, including their cultural background, if applicable.
• For each parent, assess their current level of functioning in the first 9 domains and how this may impact either positively or negatively on the safety and risk to the child in the home, using professional judgement and considering
  • the information gathered from the range of sources outlined in Gather information about the child and family
  • the child’s and family’s child protection history
  • the SDM definitions in the SDM Policy and procedures manual
  • the family’s culture—refer to the following practice prompt.
• Open the parental strengths and needs assessment in Unify and
  • in each domain in ‘Section 1: Strengths and needs’, select the level of strength or need for the primary parent that accurately reflects the information gathered and the definitions.
  • if there is a secondary parent, open the ‘plus’ tab at the send of section 1 and add the secondary parent, completing each domain for them
  • in ‘Section 2: Results’, select the 3 agreed priority parental needs. Refer to Select the 3 priority parental needs and provide a rationale for the priority needs
  • submit the completed assessment to the senior team leader for approval.
• Give the approved assessment to the family group meeting convenor to use in developing the case plan.

Select the 3 priority parental needs

Each case plan focuses on up to 3 priority needs in total for the primary and secondary parent. The 3 needs are prioritised in collaboration with the family, and are a major focus in the development of the case plan.

If more than 3 parental needs are identified between both parents or there are several needs with the same score, prioritise the needs by talking to the parents and using professional judgement.

To assist in prioritising, consider which needs:

• score the lowest
• are most likely to
  • prevent reunification (for a child in care)
  • contribute to further harm.

When completing the assessment:

• Ensure the parents are aware of all needs identified and the rationale for the prioritisation decision, particularly if the parent disagrees with Child Safety’s assessment.
• Advise the parent that, while 3 priority needs will be addressed in the case plan, their other identified needs may need to be addressed in subsequent case plans.

Determine the non-negotiables required to meet the child’s needs

After completing case planning assessments and before developing the case plan, determine the non-negotiables for inclusion in the case plan to meet the child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing needs. An example of a non-negotiable may be that a parent’s contact can only occur if a safe adult is present to support the contact, due to safety concerns. This will be reviewed as the case plan progresses.

Consult with a senior team leader when determining the non-negotiables for case planning, taking into consideration:

• the child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing
• the rights that must be afforded to the child under the charter of rights
• the child’s strengths, needs, resources and abilities
• the parents’ strengths, needs and demonstrated capacity to meet the child’s needs.

Meet with the family and inform them of the non-negotiables, clearly explaining the reasons for the decision(s) and answering any questions or worries the family may have.

Explore service options

It is important to coordinate the provision of appropriate services to a child and their family by other government agencies or funded community sector services. This includes access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for a child with a disability.

Before a family group meeting or case plan review, and in collaboration with the family:

• Identify services currently engaged with the family. If it is suitable and the family and service agree, have the service continue addressing the family’s needs. (Refer to Liaise with service providers.)
• Identify potential services that can provide assistance to the family in meeting the identified needs of the child and parent.
• Identify services the family has previously worked with, or services they would prefer to engage with to help address their needs.
• For a child who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, consider a referral to a family wellbeing service. (Refer to Procedure 4 Refer a family to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Service.)
• If a child has complex behavioural and psychological issues, consider a referral to Evolve therapeutic services. (Refer to Refer a child to Evolve.)
• If a child has a diagnosed or suspected disability or developmental delay, identify if they are linked to the NDIS or have an existing NDIS plan. (Refer to Respond to a child’s disability needs.)
• If the family is experiencing financial stress, consider a referral for enhanced Income Management (Social Security (Administration) Act 1999). This is available in specific locations across Queensland. (Refer to Department of Social Services—Referral for Enhanced Income Management by child support protection authority.)

Liaise with service providers

If an agency has been identified as a potential service provider, discuss this with the child and family and find out if they are willing to work with the service.

Contact the agency to:

• ensure the service will meet the identified needs of the child or family
• ensure the child or family are eligible for the service
• determine the availability of the service to meet the case plan requirements
• identify the referral procedure for the agency
• discuss the expectations for collaboration, feedback and review of the family’s progress by both the agency and Child Safety
• determine the cost of the service and any other resources that may be required to complete the work.

Decisions about suitable service options will be made in consultation with the senior team leader.

Information on service providers must be provided to the convenor of the family group meeting in a timely manner. This process must not pre-empt the family decision-making process at the family group meeting.

Give involved service providers the opportunity to attend the family group meeting, if the family agree and it is appropriate for them to attend.

Plan for the family group meeting 

The purpose of a family group meeting as outlined in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51G is to:

• provide family-focused responses to a child’s care, safety, belonging and wellbeing needs
• ensure an inclusive process for planning and making decisions relating to a child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing needs.

Family group meetings are an important component of Child Safety’s Framework for Practice, providing a forum for consultation and collaborative assessment and planning with the child, their family and their safety and support network.

Under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51H, Child  Safety must (other than in circumstances specified in the Child  Protection  Act 1999 ) convene a family group meeting, or have an external convenor convene a family group meeting, to develop the initial case plan for a child.

A family group meeting may also be convened, but is not required, to:

• review the existing case plan and prepare a revised case plan (Refer to Review and revise the case plan.)
• consider or make recommendations about, or deal with, another matter relating to the child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing needs.

Refer to the Family group meeting convenor handbook for guidance on the process. The handbook provides convenors with practical guidance on:

• the values and principles of the family group meeting model
• the resources available and the procedures for preparing and facilitating a family group meeting
• skills and considerations to enhance practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families or families from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

Provide information to the family group meeting convenor

Every family group meeting will be convened by a family group meeting convenor, a person specifically delegated to conduct this task (under the statutory delegations). This includes:

• a person appointed as a family group meeting convenor
• a CSO, senior team leader or senior practitioner with the delegation to convene a family group meeting
• an external person contracted by Child Safety to convene the family group meeting, including a family-led decision making facilitator from the Family Participation Program. 

The role of the convenor is to:

• prepare all relevant people to participate in the meeting
• facilitate the family group meeting
• ensure the case plan is recorded on the approved form
• distribute the endorsed case plan to the relevant people.

Complete a referral for the family group meeting

To initiate a family group meeting, arrange for a referral to be completed and provided to the convenor. Contact the principal team leader for the region where the family group meeting will be held to obtain a copy of the region’s referral form and to confirm the referral process, if required. Provide the following information as part of the referral process:

• the name of the person making the referral
• the child’s name, date of birth and address
• the child’s cultural identity
• if the child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, include
  • whether, at the time of making the referral, the child and family had chosen to have an independent person or persons to help them participate in the family group meeting
    and 
  • the details of the independent person or persons
• the child’s views and wishes regarding their care needs and the case plan being developed at the family group meeting, having regard to the child's age and ability to understand
• details of how the child's participation in the family group meeting will be facilitated or the other way in which the child's views will be obtained for consideration 
• the parents’ names and contact details
• the details of the person currently caring for the child and the type of care arrangement
• information about the current situation, including
  • a copy of the family’s completed Collaborative assessment and planning framework tool  
  • the non-negotiables for case planning
  • details of service providers currently working with the child or family
  • details of the parent’s or child’s direct legal representative and child’s separate representative, if relevant
  • if separate family group meetings are required (Refer to Consider convening separate family group meetings.)
  • any safety concerns, including the presence of domestic and family violence
• details of any other significant family member or services
• if the child is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child, the active efforts being made to apply the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, family group meetings will be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family-led processes wherever possible. Seek the family’s agreement to be contacted by the Family Participation Program so they can explain the family-led decision making process to the family.

Once the family has spoken to the Family Participation Program and consented to the referral, complete the online referral form in the Queensland family support referral portal. If the family does not consent to being referred to the Family Participation Program for family-led decision making, make a referral to the family group meeting convenor.      

Provide additional information to the convenor

As soon as possible after completing the referral, provide the convenor with:

• all relevant information from the approved priority assessment including the safety assessment and and the assessment and outcome form in Unify
• the child strengths and needs assessment 
• the parental strengths and needs assessment, if the case plan goal is reunification
• any other relevant information that has become available since the referral, including details of additional significant family members or other people who have been identified
• the placement agreement for a child in a care arrangement
• the proposed concurrent plan to achieve permanency for the child.

Meet with the convenor prior to the family group meeting

The CSO will meet with the family group meeting convenor before the meeting to discuss in detail:

• the reasons for Child Safety’s involvement
• the non-negotiables for case planning and the critical areas of need
• the views of the child and family about case planning options, including the proposed concurrent plan
• the views of the CSO and senior team leader regarding the child’s and family’s strengths and how these can be included in the case plan
• current and future actions to enable the child to
  • contribute their views and wishes
  • participate in the family group meeting
  • overcome any barriers to their participation
• the proposed venue, duration and format of the meeting
• any significant issues that may impact on the family’s participation, for example
  • domestic and family violence issues
  • violent behaviour by any attendees
  • language or disability needs
• ways to ensure the safety and full participation of all attendees
• cultural considerations and ways to ensure a culturally safe meeting place for
  • an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child and their family (Refer to the practice kit Safe care and connection.)
  • a child and family from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
• any people whose participation in the meeting would not be in a child’s best interests or would be contrary to the purposes of the family group meeting
• if a young person is eligible for transition to adulthood planning
  • details of the planning that has commenced
  • the young person's views about what is in their best interests
  • how they young person's participation will be facilitated or the other way their views will be obtained for consideration
  • the likely actions and outcomes that could be included in the young person's plan to meet their current and future needs. (Refer to the practice kit Transition to adulthood.)
• what resources are required to implement the case plan and whether financial approval has been obtained from the CSSC manager.

Decide who will attend the family group meeting

It is the responsibility of the convenor to decide who will attend the family group meeting.

The following people must be given the opportunity to participate in the family group meeting:

• the child. If they do not wish to attend the family group meeting in person, ensure they are encouraged to contribute their views and wishes in another way and supported in doing so
• the child’s parents
• extended family members who are likely to make a useful contribution to the case plan (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51L)
• any legal representative for the child
• the Public Guardian (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51L(1)(g)). To provide the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) with the required information, email the regional contact and telephone the relevant regional OPG visiting manager. (Refer to OPG—Regional visiting manager contact details .)
• anyone else the convenor considers likely to make a useful contribution to the development of the case plan at the meeting, for example
  • a service provider
  • the foster or kinship carer or care service staff
  • Evolve Therapeutic Services staff
• any support person nominated by the child or parent
• a Child Safety representative, if the convenor is external to Child Safety.

For an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, an independent person will attend, with the child’s and family’s consent.  An independent person will attend, with the child’s and family’s consent, to help facilitate their participation in the decision-making process, unless their participation is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the child or someone else’s safety or emotional or psychological wellbeing (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51W).

In consultation with the child and family, determine if the following individuals or agencies will be invited to participate in the development of the child’s case plan and cultural support plan:

• a cultural practice advisor 
• individuals or services nominated by the child and family
• community members of significance to the child and family
• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foster and kinship care service, if relevant
• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Service, if relevant
• other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies that are delivering services to or are in contact with the child and family. 

Reasons to exclude a person may include:

• a risk of harm to the child or another person attending the family group meeting
• domestic and family violence issues, for example
  • if there are safety concerns
  • if, due to a perpetrator’s coercion and control, a child or non-offending caregiver would be unable to express their views or genuinely participate in the family group meeting process
• if a participant has a mental illness or substance misuse issues that will disrupt the family group meeting, making it unable to function or proceed
• the presence of a participant is likely to pose a psychological or emotional risk to the child’s wellbeing and ability to participate in the meeting.

In these circumstances, if the person who is excluded is likely to make a useful contribution to the child’s case plan, the convenor will seek their views and input in a way that does not compromise the safety or wellbeing of the participants or the functioning of the meeting process.

Consider convening separate family group meetings

It is appropriate to hold separate family group meetings to develop the case plan if there is:

• an existing Significant DFV threat alert recorded in a person’s profile in Unify
  or
• domestic and family violence within the child’s family 
  or
• significant conflict between the parents.

Prepare for the meeting

The convenor will undertake preparation tasks with the participants for the family group meeting in advance, as outlined in the Family group meeting convenor handbook.  This gives attendees the opportunity to discuss in advance:

• the process and structure of the family group meeting, and what to expect during the meeting
• harms, worries, complicating factors and the child and parental strengths and needs assessments  
• strengths and resources, and acts of protection and belonging 
• what case plan goals and actions may be developed at the meeting
• how the child’s cultural needs will be met
• any questions or concerns they have.

When meeting with participants before the family group meeting, the convenor can advise them of Child Safety’s obligations regarding sharing information about criminal proceedings. (Refer to Advise participants about evidence from family group meetings and case plans in criminal proceedings.)

This is also an opportunity for the convener to further understand the family's situation and to make plans to ensure the full participation of everyone attending the meeting. For example, they can plan for a person’s disability or other needs.

The convenor can also refer to:

• the practice kit Disability for further information on case planning and engaging with a child or parent with a disability
• the relevant Practice kits for more information on understanding and responding to the needs of the participants to ensure their full participation
• the Children and young people's participation strategy for resources on promoting the participation of children and young people.

Convene the family group meeting

The structure of a family group meeting and the way it is convened is based on the following considerations:

• the views and wishes of the child and family about
  • how they would like the meeting to be conducted
  • ways in which the meeting can best promote their genuine participation
• for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, seek cultural advice from the child, their family and any members of the community to which the child belongs
• for a child from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, seek cultural advice from the child, their family and any members from the community to which the child belongs. Engage an interpreter if the child or parent experiences communication barriers due to speaking a different language
• the safety of all participants
• communication needs and required supports for any participants to ensure their full participation
• whether separate meetings are occurring, and how they are each structured.

Advise participants about evidence from family group meetings and case plans in criminal proceedings

As part of the introduction, the convenor will ensure participants are aware:

• Child Safety is obligated to share any information discussed at the meeting about incidents of harm to a child that may involve a criminal offence, with the QPS — with or without the consent of the participants. This applies regardless of whether or not the department suspects the child is in need of protection (Child Protection Act 1999, section 14(2) and 14(3)).
• That aside from the above obligation, anything said or done at the family group meeting is inadmissible in a criminal proceeding unless
  • all people participating in the family group meeting consent
    or
  • there is a criminal proceeding for an offence committed during a family group meeting (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51YA). 

Discuss items for the case plan

During the family group meeting, the convenor will facilitate discussion between all the participants to formulate an agreed case plan that:

• is comprehensive 
• addresses the child's safety, belonging and wellbeing needs
• addresses the child's need for permanency within the designated timeframes
• addresses the key items in the case plan, which include
  • The child's genogram (a pictorial display of the child's family relationships)
  • Record of meeting
  • The summary of the current assessment
  • What we are worried has happened
  • What's working well
  • Planning for safety, belonging and wellbeing
  • Child wellbeing and belonging
  • Cultural support plans
  • Transition to adulthood
  • Case plan review date
  • Resources required for plan.

Refer to the Family group meeting convenor handbook for comprehensive guidance on addressing these items and convening the family group meeting.

To assist participants in the family group meeting to develop items for the case plan, provide opportunities for private family time. The use of private family time gives families ownership over the case plan and encourages them to take responsibility for protecting the child with strategies they have developed as a family. 

During the meeting, the family group meeting convenor:

• explains to the child and the child’s family the requirements for concurrent planning
• ensures all participants have a clear and shared understanding of
  • the main items to be discussed
  • the goals of the case plan
• assists participant develop actions for working towards the goals
• ensures the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (Child Protection Act 1999, section 5C) is discussed and included in the development of the case plan for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child.

The shared focus is on the child’s safety, wellbeing and best interests now and for the rest of the child’s life. 

Record of planning

Document the process for developing the child's case plan in the case plan record form in Unify. This includes:

• who participated, their role and type of participation
• the purpose of the process
• the planning approach used, if a family group meeting was held
• the primary permanency goal (Refer to Primary permanency goal.)
• the meeting details and details of any additional meetings held
• any other information relevant in developing the case plan including cultural factors and transition to adulthood considerations.

For an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, record information in the independent  person form in Unify if an independent person helped facilitate the child's and family's participation in the development of the case plan, including the development and review of a cultural support plan. (Refer to Develop a cultural support plan.)

Record the case plan

Every case plan must be recorded in the approved case plan form Unify by:

• the convenor
  or
• the CSO with case responsibility, if
  • the convenor is a private convenor (including the Family Participation Program service for a family-led decision making process) 
  • the case plan is developed without a family group meeting being held.

For additional guidance on recording the case plan:

• use the instructional text in the case plan form in Unify
• refer to the handout Fact sheet: Case planning changes in Unify

Primary permanency goal

Each child, regardless of whether they are subject to a child protection order or in-home intervention, requires a primary permanency goal to be developed during the intial family group meeting.

The primary goal selected in the case plan is the goal that will best maintain or achieve permanency for the child.

The primary goal will be one of the following:

To assist with decision making for a child about permanency options and to promote stability and continuity, refer to the practice kit Permanency.

Plan for safety, belonging and wellbeing

Record the case plan goal statements outlining what we want the future to look like and how we see safety, belonging and wellbeing for the child. For each goal detail:

• how we will know the goal is being achieved
• the actions required to achieve the goal
• who is responsible for the action and by when.

Document the:

• prioritised immediate safety concerns
• prioritised 3 parental needs from the parent strengths and needs assessment 
• support for a child’s transition to adulthood (when the child is 15 years or older) subject to a child protection order granting custody or guardianship to the chief executive. (Refer to Support a young person’s transition to adulthood and the practice kit Transition to adulthood.) 
• active efforts made to apply each element of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child.

When developing the actions for each goal statement, consider:

• how the actions contribute to best achieving and maintaining permanency 
• what actions are required by the child's parents, Child Safety, the network, carers and others to achieve the case plan goal
• what the child needs to experience or have, to address the future worries
• what needs to be demonstrated over time to ensure the child is safe, well and connected to family, community and culture. 

Agreed-upon actions need to be flexible enough to accommodate changes in people’s circumstances. If necessary, include strategies to address any potential problems or ‘what ifs’, if there is a possibility a person will be unable to complete the agreed-upon actions.

Refer to the practice guide Framework for Practice Collaborative assessment and planning framework - action steps and non-negotiables for further information.

Alternative permanency goal 

If the primary permanency goal is reunification, an alternative permanency option must be recorded and pursued concurrently in case the timely reunification of the child to their parents is not possible. Record this in the alternative permanency goal tab.

Select one of the following goals:

• safety and stability in long-term care
• safety and stability in the guardianship of a person
• young person lives independently
• other permanency option.

Refer to the practice kit Permanency for further information on alternative permanency goals and the importance of concurrent planning for a child in care.

Actions for each alternate goal

This section outlines what actions are taken to achieve the alternative permanency option, if the primary goal is reunification.

The actions required to achieve the alternative permanency option include:

• what has to be done and how frequently
• who is responsible for the action 
• the date by which the action is to be completed or reviewed.

When a case plan cannot be developed at a family group meeting

The Child Protection Act 1999, section 51S, outlines the requirements for developing a case plan in circumstances where either:

• the case plan is not developed at the family group meeting 
  or
• it has not been possible for Child Safety to convene a family group meeting or have a private convenor convene a family group meeting.

In these circumstances, a case plan can be developed by Child Safety. Obtain the views of the following people:

• the child, if age and developmentally appropriate
• the child’s parents
• other members of the child’s family group who are considered likely to make a useful contribution
• significant people to the child, for example, the child’s carer
• any legal representative for the child
• a relevant service provider
• anyone else considered likely to make a useful contribution to the plan.

Prepare a case plan that best meets the child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing needs, taking into consideration:

• the views of the participants
• information obtained through the assessment process
• identified risks to the child 
• the child and parental strengths and needs assessments.

Ensure information recorded in the case plan does not compromise safety

In circumstances where there is a risk to the safety of a child, parent or participant, ensure information recorded in the case plan does not jeopardise their safety. Examples of information that could compromise a person’s safety include:

• the location, address or other personal details of a person or their extended family members
• information that identifies a child’s school or the location of other activities they participate in
• photographs of a child on family visits that may identify the location or area where a parent or child resides.

When withholding information, work closely with the senior team leader and, where relevant, the OCFOS lawyer to ensure the obligations to a parent under the legislation are met, and the parents are provided with all rights of review for such decisions.

Endorse and distribute the case plan

Endorse the case plan

To endorse a case plan, the senior team leader must be satisfied that it:

• is consistent with the child’s best interests throughout childhood and the rest of the child’s life
• is practicable
• sufficiently provides for the child’s safety, or for any directions or orders made by the Childrens Court
• addresses the critical areas of need
• takes into account the long-term effect of decisions about an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child’s identity and connection with family and community
• includes approval for any significant resourcing impacts by the financial delegate.

Take action when the case plan cannot be endorsed

If the case plan developed is considered impractical or not in the child’s best interests (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51R) the case plan will not be endorsed. In these circumstances:

• Reconvene the family group meeting and involve the same participants from the previous meeting.
  or
• Hold another family group meeting, involving additional or different participants from those involved in the meeting where the original plan was developed.
  or
• Amend the original case plan in Unify
  • within 7 business days of the case planning meeting at which the original plan was developed (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51R (3)(b))
  • only to the extent necessary to ensure the case plan is practicable and in the child’s best interests
  • after consultation with the convenor, if the family group meeting was convened by a private convenor
    and
  • submit the amended case plan to the senior team leader for endorsement.

Distribute the case plan

Once the case plan is endorsed, provide a copy of it to:

• the child (if age and developmentally appropriate), or explain the case plan to the child in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and ability to understand
• the child’s parents
• anyone else
  • affected by the plan
  • responsible for action in the plan
  • who Child Safety considers should receive a copy, for example, the Public Guardian
• any legal representative for the child or the child’s parents
• the child’s foster or kinship carer, or licensed care service, or long-term guardian who will be involved in implementing the case plan for the child
• an Elder or other respected person of the child’s community who will play a role in supporting the implementation of the plan.

In most cases, everyone who attends the family group meeting will be given a copy of the case plan, except if an attendee will not be involved in the implementation of the case plan. This may include an independent person or support person.

Provide the case plan to the Childrens Court

As mentioned earlier, the Childrens Court cannot make a child protection order unless it is satisfied that there is an endorsed case plan that responds to the child's assessed needs. Once the endorsed case plan is filed in the Childrens Court, if there is any dispute or disagreement about the plan, the Magistrate must be satisfied that the case plan is valid and appropriate.

In line with the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51X, attach a review report and revised case plan to an updating affidavit and provide the material to the DCPL via CourtShare. (Refer to Procedure 3 Participate in child protection proceedings.)

Implement the case plan

The CSO with case responsibility facilitates actions to implement the case plan, supports and monitors the progress of the family and other network members in achieving case plan goals. This is done with the support of the CSSO, senior team leader, and other Child Safety staff and service providers.

Case plan implementation requires:

• positive and collaborative working relationships with the child, family and service providers
• engagement with the parents to
  • encourage and support them in completing actions in the case plan
  • undertake goal-directed visits in accordance with the minimum contact requirements (Refer to Have contact with a child in care.)
• engagement with the child to
  • monitor their safety and promote their wellbeing
  • undertake goal-directed visits in their home or care arrangement in line with the minimum contact requirements (Refer to Have contact with a child in care.)
  • regularly provide them with information about the charter of rights (Child Protection Act 1999, Schedule 1), including information about the child’s right to make a complaint to Child Safety if they consider the charter of rights is not being complied with 
• management of family contact for the child, including having regular reviews and making plans to increase family contact in appropriate timeframes if the case plan goal is reunification
• coordination of case plan actions and ongoing monitoring of the family’s and network’s progress in completing the agreed actions in the case plan to meet the child’s needs
• staff to be responsive and effective when working across difference with children and families, for example, families whose ethnicity, gender, culture, sexual orientation and other experiences may differ from their own
• completion of the actions assigned to Child Safety in the case plan
• completion of court-related tasks as required
• information about all activities with the child, family and carer to be recorded in Unify.

If the child is in a care arrangement:

• Ensure the carer has all necessary support and information to meet the child’s daily care needs.
• Support and monitor the care provided by the carer to enable them to undertake the actions outlined in the placement agreement. (Refer to Procedure 6 Arrange a placement meeting and complete a placement agreement.)

If the child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander:

• Ensure interactions with the child, their family and community are culturally responsive, and the child and family are given an opportunitity to have an  independent person, if they consent, help facilitate their participation in the decision making  process for all significant decisions (Child Protection Act 1999, section 11A). (Refer to Decision-making for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.)
• Ensure active efforts are made to apply the Placement element of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (Child Protection Act 1999, section 5F(2)) and regard is given to the placement hierarchy set out in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 83, if the child is in care or requires a care arrangement.

Use professional judgement and consider all information gathered during the implementation of the case plan to regularly assess progress towards the case plan goals, and the appropriateness of the primary case plan goals and actions.

Engage required service providers

The provision of appropriate services to children and families to address needs identified for the child, parent or family is an important aspect of achieving case plan goals. Contact with service providers will generally have occurred prior to the development of the case plan, in accordance with Explore service options. 

To engage a service provider:

• Talk with the child (having regarding to the child's age and ability to understand), the parents, and the carer (if relevant) about the service provider and referral process to ensure they understand the service and what is required of them to engage with the service.
• Complete a referral to the agency in line with their referral requirements.
• Provide information to the child, parents and if relevant, the carer, about how and when to access the service.
• Confirm the cost of the service and if required, organise the method of payment following approval from the CSSC manager.
• Develop a communication plan between the service and Child Safety including
  • how often they will engage with the child and family
  • how often they will provide information to Child Safety about the family’s progress.

If the parents are referring themselves to a service, provide them with support to complete the referral process as required.

Coordinate service providers

If there are multiple services working with the child and parent:

• Coordinate regular communication between the services and the family or carer and child, if age and developmentally appropriate.
• Monitor the services provided to ensure they meet the needs of the child, parents or carer in progressing the case plan.
• Include the staff of these services in the regular review of the case plan.

Have contact with a child in care

Maintaining contact with children and parents is a critical part of ongoing intervention. There is a minimum number of face-to-face contacts that a CSO must have with the child and their parents to help progress case plan goals and monitor a child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing.

Face-to-face contact requirements for reunification cases

Face-to-face to contact may be completed by one of the following practitioners or professionals:

• CSO
• CSSO
• cultural practice advisor
• another Child Safety practitioner
• a professional working with the family responsible for actions within the child’s case plan.

To meet the requirements, face-to-face contact must be:

• meaningful, purposeful, and goal directed
• culturally responsive and respectful
• used to assess
  • the strengths, needs, safety and wellbeing of each child
  • the parents’ individual strengths and needs, actions taken to progress the case plan goals and demonstrated change relating to case plan goals.

For a child placed in care whose primary case plan goal is reunification, face-to-face contact is to occur at least:

• once per month with the child, in the child’s care arrangement
• three times per month with the parents, twice in their residence.

A CSO must complete at least one face-to-face contact with the child per month, and at least one of the face-to-face contacts with child’s parents.

For minimum face-to-face contact requirements for a child subject to an in-home intervention, refer to Procedure 4 Face-to-face contact requirements for in-home cases.

For minimum contact requirements with a child whose case plan goal is not reunification, refer to Contact requirements for a child in care if the case plan goal is not reunification.

Additional contact with a child and their parents

Consider whether additional contact is necessary in the following circumstances to meet case plan goals and ensure a child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing:

• there has been a change in the child or parents’ circumstances
• the child’s vulnerability is heightened due to factors such as age, disability or engagement in high-risk behaviour
• a child placed in a care arrangement under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1)(f) requires additional levels of contact to ensure the standards of care are met
• an immediate safety plan is in place, to ensure the implementation of the plan and to address the child’s safety needs
• a child is in a care arrangement and
  • additional contact is required to monitor the standards of care
    or
  • there may be a risk of placement disruption
    or
  • the child is experiencing a significant transition (for example, the death of a family member).
• the duration of the intervention requires a more intensive response to help achieve case plan goals.

Undertake additional contact assessed as necessary, which may include:

• additional face-to-face contact by the CSO with either the child or parents
• face-to-face contact with either the child or parents by
  • a CSSO, provided the contact meets the requirements of a face-to-face contact or
  • a service provider who is involved in implementing the child’s case plan (such as health service or counselling service).
• personal or telephone contact with a person who has information about the child or the parents, where that person is involved in the implementation of the child’s case plan. Examples may include, but are not limited to, educational personnel, health services, counselling services, Youth Justice staff.

Contact requirements if a child is reunified

If a child in care is reunified following the review of a case plan, the minimum contact requirements for in-home cases will apply. (Refer to Procedure 4 Face-to-face contact requirements for in-home cases.)

Contact requirements for a child in care if the case plan goal is not reunification

When the case plan goal is not reunification, Child Safety must have contact with the  child, in the child’s place of residence, at least once a month.

For a child subject to a long-term guardianship order to a suitable person, contact with the child and long-term guardian is required once every 12 months. (Refer to Have contact with the child and long-term guardian.)

Visit the child, parent and carer during ongoing intervention

Face-to-face contact is the key to building positive relationships with a child, their family and carer.

It is important to plan and conduct contact visits with a clear purpose and understanding of the planned outcome of each visit. Face-to-face contact must:

• be meaningful, purposeful and goal-directed
• be culturally responsive and respectful
• be child-focused and take into account the child’s
  • needs
  • views
  • wellbeing and safety
• be used in assessing the child’s and parents’ strengths and needs and progress toward the case plan goal and actions
• consider whether the child is receiving care that complies with the statement of standards (Child Protection Act 1999, section 122) and whether their rights under the charter of rights for a child in care (Child Protection Act 1999, Schedule 1) are being upheld.

When arranging contact with the child, parent or carer:

• negotiate an appropriate time and place for the visit
• assess any personal safety issues and take necessary action to ensure safety for all participants
• consider cultural information and make plans as required
• arrange for an interpreter or communication partner if the child or parent experiences communication barriers due to disability, or if the child or parent speak a language other than English.  (Refer to How can I access a translator or interpreter? on the Queensland Government website.)

Contact with a child or parent

Face-to-face contact with a child and their parents is critical to assessing the safety of the child, and to supporting the child and parent in achieving case plan goals.

For information on face-to-face contact with a child, refer to Procedure 4 Engage in meaningful face-to-face contact with the child.

For information on face-to-face contact with a parent, refer to Procedure 4 Engage in meaningful face-to-face contact with the parent.

Contact with a carer

Face-to-face contact with a child’s carer assists in developing a collaborative working relationship to meet the needs of the child, and ensures the child’s carer has access to the information and support they reasonably need to meet the child’s needs. When scheduling a visit to a child’s carer, liaise with the carer’s foster and kinship carer support worker to determine if a joint home visit to the carer is suitable.

When meeting with the carer of a child:

• Explore what support they are currently receiving and what further supports they may require to meet the needs of the child and to support the child’s care arrangement.
• Discuss the actions detailed in the case plan and placement agreement and determine if other actions need to be taken to achieve the case plan goal and support the child’s care arrangement.
• Identify and seek to resolve any issues that may impact on the progress of the case plan, for example, conflict with the child’s parents, transport arrangements, or costs exceeding the fortnightly caring allowance.
• Identify any issues in the care environment that may impact on the safety, belonging and wellbeing, of the child or on the child's rights under the charter of rights for a child in care (Child Protection Act 1999, Schedule 1).

If an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child is placed with a carer who is not an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, regularly talk with the carer about:

• the important role a child’s connection to culture and kin has in developing a child’s identity and building their resilience
• how the placement and care provided aligns with the five elements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
• the child’s cultural support plan
• any supports the carer requires to ensure the child’s cultural needs are nurtured and actions in the cultural support plan are completed.

If there is more than one approved carer for a child, make arrangements to meet with both carers where possible.

Following face-to-face contact with the carer:

• Schedule the next visit in line with the contact requirements.
• Record relevant information in an other case note in Unify as soon as possible
• Take action to address any issues identified, particularly about the child’s safety.

Assess the progress of the case plan

Assessing the progress of the case plan occurs throughout the implementation stage by analysing the information gathered through case work, including:

• all contact with the child, parents, safety and support network members and other significant people
• feedback from service providers
• observations of family interactions and behaviours.

Monitor and record the progress of the case plan

Monitor the progress of the case plan through regular contact with the child, the parents, and the family’s safety and support network. Regularly discuss the family’s progress with a senior team leader to ensure a robust assessment and response to the family’s needs.

As part of ongoing contact:

• Collaborate with the child, the child's family and other relevant people to gather and assess information about the safety and wellbeing of the child including
  • the completion of the case plan activities
  • the completion of the placement agreement actions
  • progress made towards achieving the case plan goals by all parties.
• Record all relevant information in Unify as soon as possible, using the correct case note type, including: 
  • a summary of any important events that occur in the life of the child or family
  • any risks to the child's safety that are identified and the strategies undertaken to ensure the child's safety 
  • case discussions and decisions, inlcluding  the rationale for these decisions.

Respond to harm, risk of harm or criminal court information

If new child protection concerns are received during implementation of the case plan in relation to a child, take immediate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child. If concerns are received about a child’s care arrangement, refer to Procedure 6 Respond to concerns about the child’s care arrangement. For all other child protection concerns received, refer to Procedure 1 New child protection concerns.

If criminal court information is received about:

• a child subject to ongoing intervention via an Integrated Justice Information Strategy (IJIS) notification (Criminal court matter alert) 
  or
• a criminal or civil court matter via an IJIS electronic transfer of court result (ETCR) alert email,

Take the following actions:

• View the information contained in the automated email or the ETCR report in Unify.
• Assess the information and record the appropriate response in Unify.
• Record any further action taken, including the provision of information about the services offered by Victim Assist Queensland. (Refer to Victims of Crime.)
• Complete a new safety assessment.
• Consider the need to review the current case plan, including the type of ongoing intervention required to keep the child safe.
• Review the appropriateness of the child’s care arrangement.

(Refer to Procedure 2 Receive information from the Integrated Justice Information Strategy.)

Review and revise the case plan

Every case plan developed for a child under the Child Protection Act 1999, part 3A, must be regularly reviewed. The review of a child’s case plan provides an opportunity for Child Safety, the child, their parents and their safety and support network to come together and share information on what they have accomplished so far, and what other actions need to be taken to achieve the overall case plan goal.

To review a case for a child subject to intervention with parental agreement, refer to Procedure 4 Review an intervention with parental agreement case for further information on case plan reviews.

Frequency of reviews

A case plan must be reviewed every 6 months. It may be appropriate to review a case more frequently, taking into account:

• any change that has a significant impact on the direction of the case plan
• the child’s vulnerability, age and developmental needs
• a child's request for their case plan to be reviewed
• the action steps in the case plan
• the type and duration of the child protection order. The shorter a child protection order is, the more frequently the case plan is reviewed to ensure sufficient progress is being made to address the worries in a timely way.

Participants in the case plan review

Make active efforts to enable the following people to participate in the review of a case plan (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51W ):

• the child, if age and developmentally appropriate
• the child’s parents
• other members of the child’s family group who are considered likely to make a significant contribution to the case plan
• other people with whom the child has a significant relationship, for example, the child’s approved carer or guardian
• any legal representative for the child
• the Public Guardian−email the OPG—Regional visiting manager contact details 
• service providers who worked with the family in the period of time prior to the case plan review.

Decide the process for a case plan review

In collaboration with the child and family, decide how the review process will occur, including the date and venue for the meeting.

A family group meeting is not required for a case plan review; however, it may be an appropriate way to review the case plan when:

• there is disagreement about the case plan
• there has been a significant lack of progress in completing the actions in the case plan being reviewed
• changes to the case plan are being proposed that would significantly change the permanency goals or outcomes.

For an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, consider making a referral to the Family Participation Program to facilitate an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family-led decision making process to review the case plan and develop a revised case plan. 

This process:

• helps uphold Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to self-determination (Child Protection Act 1999, section 5C (1)(a)
• helps identify the thorough, timely and purposeful efforts that can be made to progress the child’s cultural support plan
• encourages the full and meaningful participation of the child’s family to achieve the case plan goal. (Refer the family for family-led decision making and the practice kit Safe care and connection.)

When a family group meeting is held to review a case plan and develop a revised case plan, provide the convenor with:

• a revised copy of the collaborative assessment and planning framework tool for the family, including an overview of the family’s progress in achieving the case plan goals
• the child’s strengths and needs assessment
• the parental strengths and needs assessment if the case plan goal is reunification
• the placement agreement
• details of how the child's participation in the family group meeting will be facilitated or the other way the child's views will be obtained for consideration
• other relevant information, including details of any additional significant family members or other people who have been identified.

If a family group meeting or case plan review meeting is not used for a case plan review, ensure that the child, family and safety and support network are given adequate opportunity to provide information to inform the case plan review.

Refer to Prepare for the meeting for information on the family group meeting process, if a family group meeting is convened to review the child’s case plan.

Review the case plan

The review of a child’s case plan provides an opportunity for Child Safety, the child, their carer, their parents and their safety and support network to come together and share information on what has been accomplished so far, and what other actions need to be taken to achieve the overall case plan goal.

To review a case plan for a child in care where the case plan goal is return to live with a parent (reunification):

• Assess progress towards the primary and alternative case plan goals.
• Complete a safety assessment, if
  • case closure is being considered 
    or
• • circumstances have changed in the family, and safety needs to be re-assessed. (Refer to the Safety assessment section of the SDM Policy and procedures manual.)

The following activities must be undertaken by Child Safety as part of the case plan review:

• Contact the participants to gather relevant information for the review.
• Consider and assess all up-to-date information about the case.
• Meet with relevant people to
  • share relevant information and the outcome of assessments by Child Safety
  • explore with the child and the chlid's family any barriers if actions have not been undertaken
  • identify supports or other options that may assist
  • discuss other service options if the needs of the child or family have changed
  • assess the progress of the case plan and identify if other actions are required
  • review the progress of the child health passport if the child is subject to a child protection order granting custody or guardianship to the chief executive
  • review the implementation of the child’s cultural support plan, where relevant
  • discuss the matters outlined in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51X that must be included in the review report
  • decide if ongoing intervention will occur or if the case will be closed. (Refer to Decide whether to close a case.)
• Complete the review report in Unify. (Refer to Complete the review report.)

Assess if reunification can occur

For a child in care and whose case plan goal is reunification, assess the following at each case plan review:

• the ongoing risk of significant harm to the child
• the ability and willingness of a parent to demonstrate and maintain change over time
• the relationship between the parent and child, assessed through
  • observations made during family contact
  • views expressed by the child
  • views expressed by the parent
• the likelihood that reunification will occur within a timeframe considered appropriate for the child.

Use the assessment to decide the focus of the revised case plan, which will be either:

• to reunify the child to a parent (Refer to Decide to reunify a child to a parent.)
• to continue working towards reunification, while concurrent planning continues with the family for an alternative permanency goal (Refer to Decide to continue working towards reunification.)
• to pursue the alternative permanency goal for the child. (Refer to Decide to pursue an alternative permanency goal.)

Refer to the Reunification decision table in the practice guide Decision making for reunification for prompts to help decide the focus of a child’s revised case plan.

Decide to reunify a child to a parent

If an assessment is made that: 

• ongoing risk to the child in their parent’s care has been sufficiently reduced or mitigated
• the parent has demonstrated over time, their ability and willingness to safely care for and protect the child
• the relationship and interactions between the child and parent are consistently positive, with the parent demonstrating an ability and willingness to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs during family contact arrangements
• there are no concerns for the child’s immediate safety in the parents’ household

Refer the matter to a practice panel for a collective decision making process, to decide whether the case plan focus will be reunification of the child to a parent. (Refer to Refer the case to a practice panel.)

Decide to continue working towards reunification

Develop a revised case plan for the child that focuses on continuing to work towards reunification where an assessment is made that:

• continuing to work towards reunification is in the child’s best interests and is
  • the preferred permanency option to meet the child’s physical, legal and relational permanency needs
  • likely to be achieved within a timeframe considered appropriate for the child or within two years of the child’s first case plan (after coming into care)
• the parents are making progress to address the ongoing risk to the child, but the unacceptable risk of significant harm is not yet resolved
• the progress or commitment to progress to achieve case plan goals made by the parents is yet to be demonstrated over time
• the relationship and interactions between the parent and child are positive, however further time is required to strengthen the relationship and make assessments of the parent’s ability and willingness to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs during family contact.

Decide to pursue an alternative permanency goal

Consider pursuing an alternative permanency goal for a child if:

• reunification has not been achieved
  • within two years of the development of the child’s first case plan (after coming into care)
  • and is unlikely to be achieved within a timeframe considered appropriate for the child (taking into account their age and stage of development)
• all reasonable and practicable steps have been taken to help the parents achieve case plan goals and meet the child’s protection and care needs
• the child will not have a parent able and willing to protect them in the foreseeable future
• the child’s physical, legal and relational permanency needs will be best met through an alternative permanency goal.

If an assessment is made that an alternative permanency goal should be pursued:

• identify the most appropriate alternative permanency option that best achieves physical, legal and relational permanency for the child
• ensure the alternative permanency goal maintains the child’s connection to culture, community and country
• obtain and consider the child's views about the alternative goal
• refer the matter to a practice panel for a collective decision making process. (Refer to Refer the case to a practice panel.)

If a practice panel makes a recommendation for the DCPL to apply to revoke an order granting long-term guardianship to a suitable person and make a child protection order granting long-term guardianship to the chief executive, refer to Procedure 3 Refer to the Director of Child Protection Litigation to apply, extend, vary or revoke a child protection order.

Criminal matters and reunification

Before making a decision to reunify a child, consider the criminal history of the parent or parents, as well as the criminal history of any adults living in the reunification household and identify if any person has a conviction for a serious criminal offence against a child, and how this may impact the safety of the child.

When Child Safety obtains information that any adult in the household has an alleged offence, charge or conviction that presents an unacceptable risk to a child’s safety and one or both parents has no knowledge of the information, endeavour to:

• speak alone to the adult with the alleged offence, charge or conviction
• explain the information that has been obtained
• discuss the worries for the child’s safety
• encourage the person to provide relevant information to the parents.

If a person refuses to disclose their criminal history to a parent, the CSO has a duty (Child Protection Act 1999, sections 4 and 5 ) to inform the relevant parent or parents that Child Safety has concerns, if releasing this information is considered to be in the child's best interests.

When completing a thorough assessment prior to reunifying a child to a household in which a parent, their partner or another adult household member has a conviction for a serious criminal offence against a child, the assessment:

• is conducted in consultation with the senior practitioner and senior team leader
• determines if reunification to the household will pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of the child by assessing
  • the child's views about the person, having regard to the child's age and ability to understand
  • what knowledge, if any, the primary parent without a criminal history has of the other adult's conviction, and their attitude to the conviction and to that person having contact with the child
  • the willingness, if any, of the adult with the criminal history to engage in an assessment process and disclose details of their conviction to the parent or parents
  • the nature and circumstances of the offence, when it occurred, any treatment or programs that the offender has undertaken and the success of the treatment
  • if a safety and support network can be established, and a long-term safety and support plan developed, to ensure the ongoing safety of the child should reunification occur.

The CSSC manager approves the decision to:

• work towards reunification following the assessment
• reunify a child with a household in which a parent, their partner or an adult household member has been convicted of any of the offences outlined in the practice guide Serious criminal offences.

Particular review requirements for a child subject to a child protection order granting long-term guardianship to the chief executive

The Child Protection Act 1999, section 51VAA outlines particular case plan review requirements for a child subject to a child protection order granting long-term guardianship to the chief executive. The case plan review must consider whether permanency for the child would be best achieved by an alternative permanency arrangement.

Complete the review within the required timeframe

Complete a case plan review between two and two and a half years after the order is made.

Consider alternative permanency arrangements

Consider whether the child would best experience relational, physical and legal permanency by one of the alternative arrangements, as outlined in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 5BA(4)(a)-(c), specifically:

• through the child being reunified and cared for by their family
• by an order granting long-term guardianship of the child to a member of the child’s family or another suitable person
• the child being adopted (if the child is not an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child).

Finalise the review

To finalise a case plan review pursuant to the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51VAA:

• complete the review report in Unify:

  • select yes to answer the question did this review consider whether permanency for the child could be better achieved under an alternative arrangement (51VAA review)? 
  • include additional views by the child, parents, family, carer, and of any other significant people.
• include findings about whether permanency for the child would be best achieved by an alternative arrangement (Child Protection Act 1999, section 5BA(4)(a)-(c))
• seek endorsement of the review report from the senior team leader
• table the review report at a practice panel
• seek approval of the review report from the CSSC manager
• distribute a copy of the review report to:
  • the child (if age and developmentally appropriate) 
  • the parents 
  • legal representatives for the child or parents 
  • other people who participated in the review process. 
• attach the completed and approved form Review report (section 51VAA) – long-term guardianship to the chief executive to the child’s ongoing intervention cycle in Unify.

Refer the case to a practice panel

A practice panel is a facilitated process of engaging Child Safety staff, and at times partners and critical friends, in a structured case discussion to elicit information and increase critical thinking. This provides a consistent, collaborative approach to decision making that allows consideration of different perspectives to deliver objective, balanced assessment and professional rigour to critical decision-making processes for a child.

For guidance on practice panels, including on facilitating a practice panel, practice considerations and documenting the panel discussion and decision, refer to the practice guide Practice panels.

After the practice panel meeting, discuss the decision of the panel or CSSC manager and develop a revised case plan. (Refer to Review and revise the case plan.)

If a practice panel makes a recommendation for the Director of Child Protection Litigation to apply to revoke an order granting long-term guardianship to a suitable person and make a child protection order granting long-term guardianship to the chief executive, refer to Procedure 3 Refer to the Director of Child Protection Litigation to apply, extend, vary or revoke a child protection order.

Complete the review report

The review report documents the formal review of a case plan and the family’s progress in completing actions and achieving case plan goals to date.

Collaborate with the child, family and safety and support network to review progress and consider other matters to be addressed in the revised case plan, including:

• whether a family group meeting was held and who attended
• participants in the review and how they participated 
• how the child’s care, contact and living arrangements met the child’s needs
• how the arrangements and plans for maintaining and supporting the child’s cultural and religious identity have been met, or barriers faced
• how the contact arrangements under the previous case plan have met the child’s safety, belonging and wellbeing needs, or barriers faced 
• edit each case plan goal’s actions to record the details of what occurred in relation to that action, what has been achieved or barriers faced
• any services provided to the child under the previous case plan or the revised case plan
• determining the outcome of the review by recording if ongoing intervention is to continue or close the case
  • when intervention is to continue, review primary goal and update this for the new case plan as required 
  • review the alternative permanency goal and update this for the new case plan as required  
  • complete the process for the new case plan within the new ongoing intervention cycle including the child strengths and needs assessment, parent strengths and needs assessment and subsequent plans and actions for safety, belonging and wellbeing. 

In the review report, record how the child’s need for relational, physical and legal permanency will be met in the revised case plan.

If the child is placed in care under a child protection order granting custody or short-term guardianship to the chief executive, include in the report:

• If reunification of the child to the care of the parent is reasonably achievable including:
  • the parents ability and willingness to safely care and protect the child and their demonstration of this over time
  • the relationship and interactions between the child and parent and the parent’s ability to meet the child’s physical and emotional needs during family contact
  • if there are any concerns for the child’s immediate safety in the parental household
  • if reunification has not occurred within two years of the child’s case plan or a timeframe considered appropriate for the child
  • the child’s views and wishes and whether it is in the child’s best interests
• The progress made in this plan to achieve alternative permanency arrangements, including:
  • efforts to establish or restore a child’s connection with their family
  • attempts to identify a member of the child’s family group or another person who is willing to have long term or permanent care of the child
  • arrangements for adoption, family law court orders or arrangements for a young person to transition to adulthood.

The plan for permanency may involve:

• arranging for the child to live with a member of the child’s family, or another suitable person, under a child protection order granting long-term guardianship of the child
• for the child to remain on a long-term child protection order granting guardianship to the chief executive or a permanent care order
• arrangements for the child’s adoption under the Adoption Act 2009
• for a child 15 years and over, arrangements for the child’s transition to adulthood through independent living.

Record any outcomes of a review undertaken in accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51VAA, in the report.

Record the review report in Unify and submit it to the senior team leader for approval.

If a child is subject to a long-term guardianship order to a suitable person, refer to Decide to review a long-term guardianship to a suitable person case plan.

When the decision is made to close a case following the review process, refer to Close a case or to Procedure 4 Close an intervention with parental agreement case.

Provide written notice of a decision to reunify a child

The decision to reunify a child to a parent is a placement decision under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(2) and is reviewable by both parents and the child (Child Protection Act 1999, section 86(2)).

Following this decision:

• use the template Letter advising parent/s of placement information to provide written reasons for the decision to each person with a right to seek a review of the decision or
• use the template Letter advising parent/s of withholding placement information to provide written reasons for the decision to withhold information about who and where the child will be placed (Child Protection Act 1999, section 86(4)).

The decision to withhold information is based on whether the child or anyone living with the child would be at significant risk if the details of where the child will be reunified are provided to the other parent (Child Protection Regulation 2011, section 3).

To decide whether a significant risk exists, consider whether the parent:

• has behaved or is likely to behave in a violent, threatening, intimidating or frightening way towards the child or another person living with the child
• is likely to influence the child in relation to future court proceedings
• is likely to attempt to remove the child.

The CSSC manager is delegated to make the decision to withhold information.

Identify other reviewable decisions

Consider whether the decision to reunify the child to their parent means other reviewable decisions are made or need to be made. To identify other reviewable decisions:

• consider whether the decision will require a change to contact arrangements between the child and a parent or a member of the child’s family (Child Protection Act 1999, section 87(2)). (Refer to Refuse, restrict or impose conditions on family contact.)
• be aware that a child needs to be removed from their carer in order to be to reunified (placed) with their parent. The carer may have a right to seek a review of the decision to remove the child from their care (Child Protection Act 1999, section 89, 90 and 91) (Refer to Procedure 6 Removal of a child – the carer’s right of review.)

After all reviewable decisions have been identified and made by the delegated officer, provide written reasons for each reviewable decision to the person with a right of review using the appropriate letter template. (Refer to Letter to carer – removal of a child (section 89) and Letter re: refusal or restriction of family contact.)

Re-assess the child and parental strengths and needs

Once the case plan has been reviewed, re-assess the child’s and parents’ strengths and needs prior to developing a revised case plan for the child. This is only done if the child remains subject to ongoing intervention, but not if the child is subject to a long term guardianship to other order or permanent care order.

The reassessment of a child and parental strengths and needs:

• assesses changes in a child’s and a parent’s functioning
• identifies the needs to be addressed in the revised case plan
• monitors the effectiveness of services being provided to the child and parents.

(Refer to Complete the child strengths and needs assessment and Complete the parental strengths and needs assessment.)

Develop, endorse and distribute the revised case plan

A revised case plan is developed following the:

• completion of the case plan review
• decision to continue ongoing intervention with the child and family
• re-assessment of the child and parental strengths and needs assessments.

Develop a revised case plan

Assist the child, their parents, their carer and their safety and support network to actively participate in the development of a child’s revised case plan. Refer to Decide who will attend the family group meeting for consideration as to who is given the opportunity to participate in the development of a revised case plan, even if a family group meeting is not convened for this purpose.

A revised case plan has the same main areas as the primary case plan. The information in the revised case plan will change from the previous case plan based on the progress made to date.

A revised case plan is informed by:

• the assessment about whether the child is still a child in need of protection 
• the assessment about whether the child can be returned to their parents. (Refer to Assess if reunification can occur.)
• the assessment about the type of further intervention to ensure the safety and protection of the child
• the child and parental strength and needs assessments
• the review report, including
  • progress towards completing the goals and actions in the revised case plan
  • the goals that are still relevant to address the child’s and parents’ needs that have not yet been achieved
  • any new child or parental needs identified during the review and what goals and actions are required to address them
• any new goals and actions identified due to a change in case plan direction, for example, the decision to extend an existing chid protection order
• actions to be undertaken as part of planning for an alternative permanency option for the child if reunification is unlikely
• the outcome of a review of how best to achieve permanency for the child in accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51VAA, if applicable
• the child’s cultural needs and cultural support plan, including arrangements for maintaining and supporting the child’s cultural identity
• the young person’s views about what is in their best interests
• revised family contact arrangements
• services the child and family need to assist them in meeting the primary case plan goal.

If a decision has been made in a practice panel meeting to pursue a child protection order granting long-term guardianship to a suitable person, a permanent care order, or an adoption order, ensure the revised case plan to be submitted to the Childrens Court includes:

• the ongoing support needs of the child and the proposed long-term guardian in the revised case plan to be submitted to the Childrens Court, upon DCPL making an application for the order.
• items specific to the proposed order. (Refer to Procedure 3 Create the long-term guardianship to suitable person−case plan and Develop a permanent care order−case plan.)

For information on a developing a revised case plan for a child subject to long-term guardianship to a suitable person, refer to Review a long-term guardianship to suitable person case plan.

Endorse the revised case plan

Record a revised case plan for a child in the case plan form in the ongoing intervention cycle in Unify. Submit the revised case plan to the senior team leader for endorsement within 10 business days.

If the plan is not endorsed because it is not practical or not in the child’s best interests, amend it to ensure that it is practicable, workable and consistent with the child’s best interests. (Refer to Endorse and distribute the case plan.)

Distribute the revised case plan

Once the case plan has been endorsed, distribute a copy of the case plan to:

• the child (if age and developmentally appropriate), or explain the case plan to the child in a way that is appropriate to their age and ability to understand
• the child’s parents
• anyone else
  • affected by the plan
  • responsible for action in the plan
  • who Child Safety considers should receive a copy, for example, the Public Guardian
• any legal representative for the child or the child’s parents
• the child’s foster or kinship carer, or licensed care service, or long-term guardian who will be involved in implementing the case plan for the child
• an Elder or other respected person of the child’s community who will play a role in supporting the implementation of the plan.

Close a case

The decision about case closure is made as part of the review of a case plan and is dependent on the progress made to complete case plan actions and meet the case plan goal.

Decide whether to close a case

An ongoing intervention case for a child in care is closed when either:

• the child has turned 18 years and no longer requires support from Child Safety 
  or
• the family has sufficiently addressed the worries to the point that the child is no longer in need of protection.

Close a case for a child

To proceed with case closure, ensure:

• the most recent safety assessment has an outcome of safe
• there is a safety and support plan in place, if needed
• current service providers will continue to work with the child and family after the closure of the case by Child Safety, if applicable
  and
• the child protection order has expired or been revoked, if applicable.

As part of the case closure process:

• Ensure the senior team leader approves the case closure.
• Meet with the child, parents, and with the family’s consent, the safety and support network to discuss
  • the case closure decision, including how the risk to the child has reduced and what goals the family has achieved
  • likely future challenges and supports the child and parents can access
  • the family’s access to ongoing support from their safety and support network
  • how to support the child through any transition, for example, if a decision is made to reunify the child with their parents.
• Tell any services continuing to work with the child and family about the case closure.
• Talk with the family and consider offering a referral to another agency such as
  • an Intensive Family Support Service (Refer to Procedure 1 Referral to another agency.)
    or
  • a Family Wellbeing Service (if the child is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child). (Refer to Procedure 4 Refer a family to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Family Wellbeing Service.)
• Record all case notes and documents in the relevant ongoing intervention cycle in Unify.
• Record the decision and reason for the case closure in the ongoing intervention cycle in Unify.