17.10 Carer assessment requests from another jurisdiction
Purpose
This procedure outlines the process for requests made from another state, territory or New Zealand (jurisdiction) to Queensland in relation to assessing a proposed carer or a parent for a child subject to a child protection order or proceedings in the other jurisdiction.
Introduction
This procedure outlines the process for receiving requests for:
- a holiday/respite carer assessment;
- a carer assessment; and
- an assessment for the purposes of reunifying a child with their parents.
Requests for a holiday or respite assessment of a proposed carer
When a request is received by Queensland to undertake a holiday carer assessment for a child subject to a child protection order or proceeding in another jurisdiction, where the proposed carer resides in Queensland, the ILO will:
- ensure the 'Request for Interstate Assessment of Carer/s - Holiday Placement' form (or the requesting state's equivalent) has been provided;
- ensure sufficient information has been provided in relation to the child's behaviour and medical issues;
- fax or post all relevant material (with an accompanying letter of request summarising the case and indicating timeframes) to the CSSC manager for actioning; and
- follow up with the relevant CSSC to ensure that the assessment report is completed within the agreed timeframes (as outlined in the practice guideline).
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The CSSC will:
- allocate the request to an appropriate CSO or contract it out to a suitable private practitioner, in accordance with the agreed timeframes;
- liaise with the ILO and/or the requesting office to clarify any issues as necessary;
- complete the assessment within the agreed timeframes;
- ensure the CSSC manager or team leader supports the recommendation and signs the report; and
- fax a copy of the completed report to the ILO at Court Services Unit; and
- post the original to the ILO at Court Services Unit.
On receipt of the assessment report from the CSSC, the ILO will forward the report to the other jurisdiction's ILO for forwarding to the requesting interstate office.
Request for an assessment of a proposed carer
When a request is received by Queensland to undertake a carer assessment for a child subject to a child protection order or proceeding in another jurisdiction, where the proposed carer resides in Queensland, the ILO will:
- ensure the 'Request for Interstate Assessment of Carer/s' form (or the requesting state's equivalent) has been provided;
- ensure appropriate supporting documentation, for example, medical or psychologist reports, has been provided;
- fax or mail all relevant material (with an accompanying letter of request summarising the case and indicating timeframes) to the CSSC manager for actioning; and
- follow up with the relevant CSSC to ensure that the assessment report is completed within the agreed timeframes (as outlined in the practice guideline).
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The CSSC will:
- allocate the request to an appropriate CSO or contract it out to a suitable private practitioner, in accordance with the agreed timeframes;
- liaise with the ILO and/or the requesting office to clarify any issues as necessary;
- complete the assessment within the agreed timeframes;
- ensure the CSSC manager or team leader supports the recommendation and signs the report; and
- fax a copy of the completed report to the ILO at Court Services Unit; and
- post the original to the ILO at Court Services Unit.
On receipt of the assessment report from the CSSC, the ILO will forward the report to the other jurisdiction's ILO for forwarding to the requesting office.
Additional Notes
When an assessment is requested by another jurisdiction in relation to a child on a child protection order in that jurisdiction, the CSSC will not undertake screening checks through the Central Screening Unit and the interstate carer applicant does not have to apply for a blue card. It is the role of the other jurisdiction to undertake their own suitability checks on the carer applicants according to their legislative requirements.
To complete the assessment, the CSO will provide a written report with headings as per the 'Areas to be Covered in the Assessment' as outlined in the 'Request for Interstate Assessment of Carer' form. The 'Kinship Carer Assessment Tool', 'Household Safety Study' or 'Health and Wellbeing Questionnaire' are not to be used when completing these assessments.
Requests for an assessment of a parent as part of a reunification plan
When a request is received by Queensland to undertake an assessment of a parent who resides in Queensland, for the purpose of reunification of a child subject to a child protection order or proceeding in another jurisdiction, the ILO will:
- ensure the 'Request for Reunification Assessment' form (or the requesting state's equivalent) has been provided;
- ensure appropriate supporting documentation is provided, for example, medical or psychologist reports on the child/parent;
- fax or mail all relevant material (with an accompanying letter of request summarising the case and indicating the proposed reunification timeframes) to the CSSC manager for action; and
- follow up with the relevant CSSC to ensure that the assessment report is completed within the agreed timeframes.
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Following the receipt of an assessment request:
- the team leader will allocate the request to an appropriate CSO or contract it out to a suitable private practitioner, in accordance with the agreed timeframes;
- the allocated CSO will liaise with the ILO in the other jurisdiction and/or the requesting office to clarify any issues as necessary and complete the assessment within the agreed timeframes;
- a CSSC manager or team leader will support the assessment recommendation and sign the report;
- the CSO will fax a copy of the completed report to the ILO at Court Services Unit; and
- post the original copy of the report to the ILO at Court Services Unit.
On receipt of the assessment report from the CSSC, the ILO will forward the report to the other jurisdiction's ILO for forwarding to the requesting office.
- Last updated
- 30 June 2007
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