9.1 Deciding whether information constitutes a matter of concern
Purpose
This procedure outlines the process for deciding the appropriate response to concerns raised about the quality of care for a child in out-of-home care under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1).
Authority
- Child Protection Act 1999, section 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 74, 82(1), 122, 130, 187 and 188
- Child Protection Regulation 2000, section 9 and 12
- Policy No. 395-1: Administrative access to child safety records
- Policy No. 295-4: Complaints management
- Policy No. 391-2: Critical Incident Reporting
Introduction
The department has a legislative responsibility to ensure that children in out-of-home care receive a level of care that is consistent with the standards of care outlined in the statement of standards (Child Protection Act 1999, section 122).
When it is indicated that the standards of care have not been met for a child, the department will respond through the matters of concern process to ensure that the safety and well-being of the child. The departmental response to a matter of concern will consist of either:
- a child placement concern report; or
- a matter of concern notification.
The process of assessing and responding to matters of concern will be conducted in a manner consistent with departmental procedures and the principles rights and responsibilities outlined in the ' Statement of Commitment between the Department of Child Safety, foster care services and the carers of Queensland '.
Key concepts
- Advocate: a person chosen as someone who will speak, act or write on behalf of the child or adult throughout the matter of concern process, to promote and protect the best interests and well-being of the child or adult involved.
- Another entity: an entity that is considered the most appropriate for meeting a child's particular protection and care needs, for example, a particular medical or residential facility may be the most appropriate placement for a child with a disability (Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1)(f)).
- Approved carer: an individual who holds a certificate of approval as an approved foster carer, kinship carer or provisionally approved carer.
- Licensed care service: a service, operated under a license, to provide care for a child in the custody or guardianship of the chief executive. This includes licensed residential care facilities and foster and kinship care services.
- Matter of concern: any concern raised in relation to the quality of care provided to a child placed in an out-of-home care placement under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1), where a breach of the standards of care is indicated.
- Out-of-home care: refers to placements with approved carers, licensed care services or another entity, as defined under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1).
- Staff member (of a licensee or another entity): a person employed by the licensed care service or another entity. This includes a range of possible contractual arrangements, such as fee-for-service and volunteers who may be associated with the service.
- Standards of care: refers to the legislated statement of standards (Child Protection Act 1999, section 122).
- Support person: a person chosen as someone who will enable the effective participation of the child or adult who is involved in a matter of concern process. A support person does not act as a legal advocate or representative and does not intervene in, or influence, assessment procedures or outcomes.
- Recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entity: or recognised entity, may be an individual or organisation that is appropriate to be consulted about an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child's protection and care under an agreement between the department and the entity.
When the matters of concern process applies
These procedures apply to children in the custody or guardianship of the chief executive or subject to a care agreement and placed with an approved carer, a licensed care service or another entity.
These procedures do not apply to:
- children in the custody of a relative under a short-term child protection order;
- children in the long-term guardianship of a relative or another suitable person; and
- the approved carer/s or staff member/s biological or step-children.
For these children, standard intake procedures apply.
 |
|---|
Key timeframes
Within two working days of the receipt of the information provided by the notifier, the following decisions must be made:
- whether the information received indicates a breach of the standards; and
- if so, the most appropriate response to the matter of concern.
Assistance by the Matters of Concern Review Unit
The Matters of Concern Review Unit (MOCRU), located within the Complaints, Case Review and Investigation Branch (CCRIB), is available to respond to requests for advice or assistance in relation to matters of concern, when issues cannot be resolved at the CSSC level.
Requests to MOCRU can only be made by a CSSC manager or senior practitioner. The range of services offered include:
- assisting staff to determine the most appropriate response to concerns received about a child placed in out-of-home care;
- providing advice to staff who undertake matters of concern assessments;
- assisting with the development of an assessment plan;
- providing feedback on the matters of concern assessment outcome; and
- assisting the CSSC to develop clear and effective action plans, where it is assessed there has been a breach of the standards of care.
In addition, at the request of a zonal director, the MOCRU is available to:
- undertake or assist in the review of an approved carer, through:
- supporting CSSC staff in the review process by providing advice;
- completing a file review of the approved carer, to inform the CSSC's review; or
- assuming full responsibility for the review of the approved carer; and
- undertake complex reviews relating to matters of concern.
A request for MOCRU to undertake a complex review may also be made by the Executive Director, Child Safety Services Division, the Deputy Director-General or the Director-General.
Overview of the process
The process for deciding whether information constitutes a matter of concern is outlined in this procedure under the following headings:
1. What constitutes a matter of concern
- When the information gathered indicates a breach of the standards, but no harm or risk of harm
- When the information gathered indicates harm or risk of harm
2. The CSSC responsible for deciding a matter of concern
- Actions required when concerns are received by another CSSC
- Actions required by the responsible CSSC
3. Information gathering
- Gathering information from the notifier
- Responding to the notifier
- Conducting departmental history checks
- Gathering information from additional sources
4. Consulting with the team leader, senior practitioner and CSSC manager
5. Critical incident reporting
6. Recording and approval requirements
1. What constitutes a matter of concern
When considering whether the information gathered constitutes a matter of concern, the CSO will ensure that the child's welfare and best interests are paramount. Structured decision making tools are not used as part of the response to matters of concern.
When the information gathered indicates a breach of the standards, but no harm or risk of harm
The CSO will record a child placement concern report, in response to a matter of concern, where the information gathered indicates that:
- an approved carer or staff member has provided inadequate or poor quality care (for a child in out-of-home care) that fails to meet the standards of care detailed in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 122; and
- a child has not suffered harm, is not suffering harm and is not at unacceptable risk of suffering harm, as defined in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 9.
Child placement concern reports may include behaviours, actions or inactions of the approved carer or staff member where the information gathered suggests possible non-compliance with their obligations under the Child Protection Act 1999.
Prior to a departmental decision that a matter of concern will be recorded and responded to through a child placement concern report, the CSO will consider the following matters:
- how the reported actions or inactions of the approved carer or staff member breach the standards of care;
- which standards may have been breached;
- the impact, or potential impact, on the child; and
- what is reasonable, having regard to the length of time the child has been in the care of the approved carer or staff member and the child's age and development (Child Protection Act 1999, section 122(4)).
Where the information gathering and consultation process determines there has been a breach of the standards of care, and there is uncertainty about whether the appropriate response is to record a child placement concern report or a matter of concern notification, a child placement concern report will be recorded in the first instance, and the assessment commenced.
|
|---|
When the information gathered indicates harm or risk of harm
The CSO will record a notification, in response to a matter of concern, where the information gathered indicates that a child in out-of-home care has experienced harm or risk of harm (by an approved carer or staff member of a licensed care service or another entity), as follows:
- neglect: the child's basic necessities of life are unmet by the approved carer or staff member to such an extent that the child's health and development are affected, causing harm, or an unacceptable risk of harm, to the child;
- physical harm: the child has suffered, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering, serious physical trauma or injury of a non-accidental nature, due to the actions of the approved carer or staff member;
- sexual abuse: any sexual activity or behaviour that is imposed on the child by the approved carer or staff member, or a household member. It includes the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, sexually explicit conduct or behaviour for the sexual gratification or profit of the person responsible. It also includes circumstances where there is an unacceptable risk that the child may be sexually abused; and/or
- emotional harm: the child's social, emotional, cognitive or intellectual development is impaired or seriously threatened as a direct result of an approved carer/s or staff member/s persistent behaviour/attitude toward the child. This includes significant emotional deprivation due to persistent coldness or rejection or hostility. The harm to the child may be observable in behaviour such as severe anxiety, depression, withdrawal, self-harming behaviour or aggressive behaviour towards others.
To meet the threshold for a notification a matter of concern must meet the legislative definition of harm, that is:
- harm, to a child, is any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the child's physical, psychological or emotional well-being;
- it is immaterial how the harm is caused; and
- harm can be caused by:
- physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect; or
- sexual abuse or exploitation.
For a detrimental effect or risk of detrimental effect to be of a significant nature it must have, or be likely to have, more than a minor impact upon a child's physical, psychological or emotional well-being. It must be substantial, serious and demonstrable - that is, measurable and observable on the child's body, in the child's functioning or behaviour. A detrimental effect of a significant nature may also be indicated by the detrimental effect being likely to be long-term (more than transitory), or adversely affecting the child's health or well-being to an extent which would be considered by the general public to be unacceptable.
In assessing harm, it is important to focus on the level of detrimental effect, whether physical, psychological or emotional or the risk of detrimental effect experienced by the child, rather than the approved carer/s or staff member/s actions or inactions alone.
Once the decision is made to record a matter of concern notification, the investigation and assessment will be commenced in accordance with the relevant procedure.
|
|---|
2. The CSSC responsible for deciding a matter of concern
The CSSC with responsibility for the approved carer, licensed care service or another entity is responsible for deciding whether concerns about the standards of care constitute a matter of concern and if so, the appropriate response.
When information is received by CSAHSC over a weekend that may constitute a matter of concern, the CSAHSC has 48 hours to gather as much information as possible in order to make a decision about the appropriate response. Where it is assessed that a matter of concern notification is the appropriate response, the CSAHSC will contact and consult with the relevant CSSC manager. Where it is agreed that a notification will be recorded, one of the following will occur:
- the CSAHSC will take action over the weekend to ensure the safety of the children and commence the investigation and assessment within the 24 hour response timeframe, where necessary; or
- on the following work day, the CSSC will commence the investigation and assessment and ensure the safety of the children within the 24 hour response timeframe.
Actions required when concerns are received by another CSSC
Where the CSSC that is contacted by the notifier does not hold current responsibility for the approved carer, licensed care service or another entity, the CSO will:
- record the information obtained from the notifier as a 'placement' case note in ICMS, including the notifier's contact details and whether they request feedback (if from a government or non-government agency);
- contact the CSSC responsible for the approved carer, licensed care service or another entity, and inform the intake officer of the receipt of the concerns; and
- advise the CSO at the applicable CSSC, where to locate the 'placement' case note in ICMS.
Actions required by the responsible CSSC
Immediately upon advice of the concerns, the CSSC with responsibility for the approved carer, licensed care service or another entity will:
- conduct departmental history checks;
- gather information from additional sources;
- make a decision about the level of the concerns and the appropriate departmental response, in accordance with the processes outlined in this procedure, within two working days from the receipt of the information provided by the notifier; and
- provide feedback, if applicable, to notifiers from government and non-government agencies.
Where the CSSC manager decides that the information is a matter of concern, the CSO will create a MOC Intake Event and complete the Record of Concerns.
Where the CSSC manager decides that the information is not a matter of concern, the CSO will:
- record the above-mentioned details in the original 'placement' case note in ICMS;
- contact each CSO responsible for any child currently placed with the approved carer or staff member and inform them of the decision not to record a matter of concern; and
- advise the CSO at the applicable CSSC where to locate the 'placement' case note in ICMS, documenting the CSSC manager's decision.
Following this, it the responsibility of the CSSC for any child currently placed to respond to the information raised as part of the ongoing casework with the child and the approved carer or staff member, and record the response as a further case note.
3. Information gathering
Gathering information from the notifier
The CSO will gather information from the notifier in accordance with the relevant procedure.
In addition, the CSO will guide the discussion with the notifier by using focused questioning, to gather accurate information and determine:
- whether there appears to have been a breach of the standards of care by the approved carer or staff member;
- which standards appear to have been breached;
- the impact of the approved carer/s or staff member/s actions or inactions on the child; and
- the appropriate response to the concerns raised by the notifier.
To assist this process the CSO will obtain the following contextual information about the child's approved carer or staff member from the notifier, where known:
- their level of experience;
- the number and details of other children in the placement;
- placement support details (including frequency of contact with a departmental support worker and/or staff of a licensed care service or another entity);
- information about their characteristics and supports, including their emotional and physical condition, behaviour, history, view of the child and child-rearing practices;
- the degree of stress the approved carer or staff member is currently experiencing; and
- the nature and outcomes of previous matters of concern (including existing or emerging patterns), where known to the notifier.
Any information received from the notifier, regarding allegations of harm to a child that may have involved the commission of a criminal offence relating to the child, is to be immediately notified to the QPS (using the 'Police Referral Fax'), in accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999, section 14(2).
|
|---|
Responding to the notifier
When obtaining information from the notifier, the CSO will implement the process for responding to notifiers, including informing the notifier that their identity is protected (with some legislative exceptions) under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 22(1)(a) and 186.
When government or non-government agencies contact the department with concerns about harm or risk of harm to a child, the CSO will ask the notifier if they require feedback about the departmental response, and if so, respond in accordance with the relevant procedure.
|
|---|
Conducting departmental history checks
When a notifier reports concerns relating to the standards of care provided to a child, the CSO will conduct departmental history checks on the child and the approved carer or staff member, in accordance with the applicable procedure.
Gathering information from additional sources
It is not possible to provide a definitive list of actions or inactions by an approved carer or staff member that specify what constitutes a breach of the standards. The same action or inaction, in the context of a long-term stable placement, may have a very different impact on a child who has had a recent traumatic experience and is new to the placement. This complexity highlights the critical need for consultation and discussion with all those who have relevant information when making a decision about the level of the concern and the most appropriate response.
In addition to gathering information from the notifier, the CSO will (where applicable):
- contact:
- the Community Services Team (CST) manager of the zone with responsibility for the licensed care service or another entity;
- the licensed care service or another entity;
- the CSO who has case responsibility for any child currently residing in the placement; and
- a recognised entity, where the child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
- provide the details of the concerns raised about the standards of care;
- obtain relevant information about the child, the approved carer or staff member and the placement;
- obtain the following details in relation to the child, including:
- the current case plan;
- their placement history;
- the length of the current placement; and
- any developmental and care needs (particularly factors that may increase the child's vulnerability such as age, disability or behavioural issues); and
- obtain all parties' views about whether the information indicates a breach of the standards.
In addition, where the child currently receives a significant level of intervention by a service provider as part of their case plan (for example, intervention by Evolve Interagency Services or an intensive family intervention service), the CSO will contact the person directly responsible for the provision of these services and obtain relevant information to inform decision-making.
A decision about the level of the concerns and the appropriate departmental response must be made within two working days from the receipt of the information provided by the notifier. The information gathering process must occur as a matter of priority in order to meet this timeframe.
4. Consulting with the team leader, senior practitioner and CSSC manager
When all of the information has been gathered, the CSO will consult the team leader and senior practitioner to:
- discuss the concerns raised in the context of all information able to be gathered;
- determine whether the information gathered indicates a breach of the standards by the approved carer or staff member;
- clarify which standards of care appear to have been breached, if applicable;
- determine whether the concerns relate to all, or only some, of the children in the placement and/or any other children in the approved carer/s or staff member/s household; and
- determine the recommended level of response to the information gathered.
The recognised entity must be given the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process if a matter of concern notification response is indicated. This may occur during the consultation with the team leader and senior practitioner, or prior to the CSSC manager making the decision.
The decision about which children to record as subject children is based on information about the impact, or likely future impact, of the concerns on the child, as obtained during the information gathering phase.
Following this consultation, the CSSC manager will be provided with all the relevant information and a recommendation about the appropriate departmental response. Within two working days of the receipt of the information provided by the notifier, the CSSC manager will:
- consider the information gathered and the matters discussed by the CSO with the team leader and senior practitioner;
- decide whether the information indicates a matter of concern; and
- decide the appropriate level of response to the matter of concern.
When deciding the above matters, the CSSC manager must ensure that:
- the departmental response is proportional to the nature and seriousness of the concerns raised;
- the recognised entity for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child (if applicable),has been provided with an opportunity to participate in deciding the appropriate departmental response; and
- consultation with MOCRU occurs where this is considered necessary.
|
|---|
5. Critical incident reporting
Where the CSSC manager decides that the concerns constitute a matter of concern and that the appropriate departmental response is a notification, the CSO will implement the procedure for critical incident reporting. Alleged harm or risk of harm to a child in out-of-home care by an approved carer or staff member constitutes a 'Level 2' critical incident.
|
|---|
6. Recording and approval requirements
Under the Child Protection Regulation 2000, section 12, the chief executive is required to keep records of details of any report given to the chief executive about:
- harm caused, or suspected to have been caused, to a child who is in the care of an entity mentioned in the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1);
- a breach, or claimed breach, of the statement of standards; and
- the results of any investigation of a matter of concern.
When a matter is decided as a matter of concern, the CSO will record:
- a child placement concern report, as soon as practicable following the decision to record a matter of concern; or
- a matter of concern notification, with a 24 hour response timeframe, within 24 hours of the decision to record a matter of concern.
The CSO will ensure that each document includes details of:
- all subject children to whom the concerns relate;
- all other children subject to a placement under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 82(1), residing in the care environment, not considered to be subject children;
- all other children residing in, or regularly frequenting, the care environment (for example, the approved carer/s or staff member/s own children or relative children, and children subject to a child protection order granting long-term guardianship to an approved carer);
- all other persons residing in the care environment;
- checks and consultations conducted in the information gathering stage;
- the rationale for the decision to record a matter of concern and the associated response;
- when and how the recognised entity was provided with an opportunity to participate in decision-making, where applicable;
- the details of the concerns and the impact on the subject child, including:
- which standards of care appear to have been breached (where the response is a child placement concern report); or
- the notified harms (where the response is a matter of concern notification); and
- any additional information considered in the decision-making process about the matter of concern.
For a matter of concern notification, the CSO will record the details of all subject children in out-of-home care in one notification. The exception to this is where one of the children in out-of-home care is the alleged person responsible. Any child in out-of-home care in the placement who is the alleged person responsible, is not to be recorded as a subject child on the same notification. For further information, refer to the 'Harm to a child in out-of-home care by another household member' section of this procedure.
The team leader will electronically 'approve' the child placement concern report (following the completion of the assessment) or the matter of concern notification.
Where it is decided that the information gathered does not indicate a breach of the standards, or harm or risk of harm to the child, and a matter of concern is not warranted, the CSO will:
- record all relevant information, the decision and the rationale for the decision as a 'placement' case note (or update the existing 'placement' case note, if applicable), including what action was taken to resolve the issues with the child and the approved carer or staff member; and
- place a copy of the 'placement' case note on the approved carer's departmental file, where applicable.
Other practice considerations
Recording additional concerns
When there is an existing child placement concern report, matter of concern notification or investigation and assessment, and further information is received that constitutes a matter of concern, the CSO will record the new concerns as additional notified concerns in ICMS, unless exceptions apply. The exceptions for recording additional concerns are outlined in the relevant procedures.
|
|---|
The process for recording and assessing additional concerns is outlined in the relevant procedures.
|
|---|
Harm to a child in out-of-home care by another household member
Where there are reported concerns about the care of a child in out-of-home care, by an adult other than the approved carer or staff member, or by another child who is also subject to out-of-home care and residing in the care environment, the CSO will:
- undertake information gathering requirements, including consideration of:
- whether the approved carer or staff member is aware of the harm or risk of harm;
- the approved carer/s or staff member/s protective capacity and response to the child (for example, whether they have rejected the child or are refusing to take action to ensure the child's safety); and
- the approved carer/s or staff member/s willingness and ability to protect the child;
- assess whether the standards of care have been breached by the approved carer or staff member;
- consider any necessary actions, where appropriate, with respect to the approved carer/s or staff member/s ongoing suitability to provide out-of-home care (particularly where the concerns relate to harm or risk of harm by another child or adult residing in the care environment); and
- where the person responsible is another child subject to out-of-home care, the CSO will consider and where applicable, respond to the needs of this child, as well as respond to the matter of concern.
Where a child in the out-of-home care placement is the alleged person responsible, it may indicate unassessed needs for the child. The following practice guidelines apply to all harm or abuse types, although the examples provided relate to sexual abuse:
- where the alleged abuse was sexual, and there is no previous information recorded by the department about any history of sexual abuse of, or by, the child - record a matter of concern notification on the child, and assess the child's protection needs;
- where the alleged abuse was sexual, and there is no previous information known by the department about any history of sexual abuse of, or by, the child but the information received indicates that the child may have been sexually abused while in the care of his or her parents, record a 'standard' notification on the child and assess the child's protection needs; and
- where the alleged abuse was sexual, and the child has a known history of either sexual abuse and/or sexually abusing other children, no additional notification is required unless there are any matters that have not previously been assessed.
Concerns that relate to other children who are not in out-of-home care
Where there are reported concerns about the care of a child who is not in out-of-home care but who resides in, or regularly frequents, the care environment, the CSO is to refer to the procedures for children in the general community. Where a notification is 'screened in', the 'standard' notification category is selected. These children include:
- the approved carer/s or staff member/s own children or step-children;
- a child subject to a long-term guardianship order to an approved carer; and
- a child in the custody of a relative under a short-term child protection order.
|
|---|
Harm to a child in out-of-home care by a person living outside the care environment
The department does not automatically record a matter of concern notification about harm or risk of harm to a child in out-of-home care when the alleged person responsible for the harm (whether a child or an adult) lives outside the approved carer/s or staff member/s household, or does not work for the licensed care service or another entity.
Prior to deciding the appropriate response, the information gathered from the notifier and 'additional sources', is to be assessed in relation to:
- whether the approved carer or staff member is aware of the harm or risk of harm;
- the approved carer/s or staff member/s protective capacity and response to the child (for example, whether they have rejected the child or are refusing to take action to ensure the child's safety); and
- the approved carer/s or staff member/s willingness and ability to protect the child, including whether they:
- support the child, believe the child or blame the child for the harm;
- have an ongoing relationship with the alleged person responsible that will affect their ability to protect the child; and
- are able to protect the child but are unwilling to do so, due to identified factors (for example, the alleged person responsible may be a relative or friend of the approved carer or staff member, or there may be conflict between the approved carer or staff member and the child, preventing the approved carer or staff member from acting protectively).
Where the information received does not raise concerns about the standards of care provided to the child by the child's approved carer or staff member, the matter will be responded to in accordance with intake procedures relating to children in the general community, for example:
- a child in out-of-home care may experience sexual assault by another child who attends their school or be physically assaulted at a shopping centre by an adult with whom they have no relationship. In these circumstances the CSO will:
- immediately refer the matter to the QPS in accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999, section 14(2), using the 'Police Referral Fax';
- record the matter, and the actions taken, in a child concern report; and
- support the child, as part of ongoing intervention, through the provision of counselling, medical services (as appropriate) and during any subsequent criminal investigations and court processes; or
- a child in out-of-home care may experience harm or risk of harm by their parent during a family contact visit. In these circumstances, as the harm or risk of harm is not related to the carer/s or staff member/s actions or inactions, the CSO will:
- record the matter as a 'standard' notification; and
- undertake an investigation and assessment
Where the approved carer/s or staff member/s actions or inactions towards the child potentially contributed to the harm or risk of harm to the child, a matter of concern will also be recorded. For example, where an approved carer or staff member allows an unsupervised family contact visit to occur, despite the child's case plan and placement agreement requiring supervised visits, and the child was harmed by a parent.
Responding to historical concerns - child under 18 years of age
When information received relates to historical events (for example, over 12 months) and the subject child is currently under 18 years of age, irrespective of the amount of time elapsed since the concerns occurred, the matter must still be recorded and assessed in accordance with the processes outlined in this procedure.
When historical concerns relate to a carer who is no longer an approved carer, or to a former staff member of a licensed care service or another entity, the information will still be recorded as a matter of concern and attempts will be made to conduct an assessment. This may take the form of written advice to the former approved carer or staff member about the concerns and a request to participate in the assessment process.
Responding to historical concerns - former child in out-of-home care over 18 years of age
The Child Protection Act 1999, section 8, defines a child as an individual under 18 years. Once a former child in out-of-home care becomes an adult, the department has no legislative authority to:
- officially record a child placement concern report or a notification; or
- conduct an investigation and assessment.
When information received relates to concerns about a child who was formerly residing in out-of-home care, the child is now an adult and the CSSC manager decides that the information constitutes a matter of concern, the CSO will:
- record the concerns as a 'placement' case note in ICMS and ensure that the text reflects that the case note relates to historical matters of concern for a former child in care who is now over 18 years of age;
- make all reasonable attempts to discuss and assess the concerns with the former child in care, subject to their consent;
- discuss the concerns with the approved carer or staff member (where they are currently approved or employed by the licensed care service or another entity); or
- for a carer who is no longer approved or for a former staff member of a licensed care service or another entity, make all reasonable attempts to meet with them to discuss the concerns (subject to their consent);
- record the assessment and the outcome in the same 'placement' case note in ICMS; and
- file a copy of the 'placement' case note on the approved carer/s departmental file.
Responding to vexatious or malicious notifiers
In some circumstances the department may become aware that a notifier is providing information about the child's approved carer or a staff member, which appears to be without grounds and/or with the intent of ill will. For an appropriate response to such matters, refer to the procedure on Vexatious and malicious notifers.
When a matter of concern has been recorded and the decision is made not to conduct an assessment (as per the procedure on Vexatious and malicious notifers), refer to either the Assessing a child placement concern report or Investigating and assessing a matter of concern notification procedure. The sections relating to deciding assessment outcomes (in addition to the Vexatious and malicious notifers procedure) provide advice as to the nature of information to be recorded by the CSO in the child placement concern report or matter of concern notification.
|
|
|---|---|
 |
- Last updated
- 18 September 2009
Other languages