4. Case planning
Purpose
A case plan must be developed and regularly reviewed for each child in need of protection (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51A). Case planning is a participative process that involves a cycle of assessment, planning, implementation and review. Case plans form the basis for ongoing intervention and guide what needs to occur to address the child's protection and care needs. Case planning must also include provisions that address the child's developmental needs and assist them to gain the skills and sense of well-being that will allow them to realise their potential and positively participate in the wider community.
The case plan is a written document which provides a clear statement about why the child is in need of protection, provides key information about the child and records the roles and responsibilities of all participants in addressing the child's protection and care needs during ongoing intervention. The case plan identifies the overall goal for the child, the outcomes that need to be achieved to reach the goal and the actions to be undertaken, timeframes and the people or services responsible for undertaking them. All activities, discussions and contact with the child and family will be guided by the case plan while it is in effect.
Key steps
- Assess and prepare to develop a case plan
- Plan for a family group meeting
- Develop the case plan
- Implement the case plan
- Review and revise the case plan
What ifs - responding to specific case planning and review matters
Standards
- All children and families are treated professionally and with respect.
- All children and families are given the opportunity to fully participate in decision-making.
- The recognised entity is consulted when making decisions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
- Relevant structured decision-making assessments are completed as part of the development and review of a case plan.
- The family group meeting is held within 30 days of the decision that a child is in need of protection, or within the timeframe set by the Court on an adjournment.
- The case plan provisions adequately meet the child's protection and care needs and are specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, relevant and time-limited.
- Children and parents are visited in accordance with Child Safety Services' minimum contact requirements.
- Case plans are reviewed at a minimum every six months.
Practice skills (key areas for reflection)
- Did I engage well with the child and family?
- Did I enable the child to have a real opportunity to participate in the family group meeting and express their views?
- Did I engage the recognised entity for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander child, and record their views as part of the case planning and review process?
- Have I ensured that the case plan is written in a way that can be understood by the child and family?
- Did I give the child and parents an opportunity to actively participate in decision-making?
- Have I engaged appropriate service providers to work with the family?
- Have I engaged in face-to-face contact with children and parents that is meaningful, purposeful and goal-directed?
- Have I actively engaged with the child, family and service providers to progress the case plan goal, outcomes and actions?
Authority
- Child Protection Act 1999, section 5, 6, 51A-Y, 59, 68(1)(d)(i), 80, 83, 86, 122, 187, 188, schedule 1
- Adoption of Children Act 1964
- Last updated
- 26 October 2009
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