4.9 Endorsing and distributing the case plan
Purpose
This procedure outlines the process for endorsing and distributing the case plan.
Authority
- Child Protection Act 1999, section 51Q, 51R, 51T(d), 51Y(2)(d)
Endorsing and distributing the plan
Once the case plan has been developed, it must be recorded in the approved form in ICMS and endorsed by the relevant team leader within seven days. The department will always be represented in the family group meeting process, and it should only be in rare circumstances that the case plan cannot be endorsed by the team leader within that timeframe.
Note: a senior practitioner also has the delegation to endorse a case plan.
Before endorsing the case plan, the team leader must ensure that it is consistent with the child's best interests and that it is practicable (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51Q and 51R). A plan may not be endorsed within the seven day time limit when:
- it does not sufficiently provide for the child's safety or for any directions or orders made by the Childrens Court;
- it has significant resourcing impacts that require approval by a financial delegate that has not been obtained; and
- it does not address critical areas of need.
Where the case plan cannot be endorsed
When the case plan cannot be endorsed, under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 51R, the department may:
- reconvene the family group meeting, involving people from the previous meeting;
- hold another family group meeting, involving a different mix of people from those involved in the meeting that developed the plan; or
- amend and endorse the case plan.
Where an amendment is required
If it is decided that the case plan should be amended, the following conditions must be met:
- the amendment may only be made to the extent required to:
- ensure it addresses identified risks and critical areas of need;
- ensure it is practicable; and
- ensure it is in the child's best interests;
- the amendment must be done within seven days after the family group meeting at which it was developed; and
- if the family group meeting was convened by an external convenor, consultation has occurred with that convenor about the amendment and reasons for the decision to not endorse the plan (Child Protection Act 1999, section 51R).
If the case plan is amended, written notice of the amendment, and the reasons for the amendment, must be provided to each person who was at the meeting at which the plan was developed.
It is the role of the department to make decisions about amendments to a case plan. When case plans are submitted to the Childrens Court, the role of the court is to ensure the case plan is appropriate for meeting the child's protection and care needs.
Implementation and distribution of the case plan or revised case plan
After the case plan has been endorsed, the CSO must give a copy to:
- the child, unless that would be inappropriate having regard to the child's age and ability to understand (the CSO must explain the case plan and any changes to the child in a way and to an extent that is reasonable, having regard to the child's age and ability to understand);
- the child's parents;
- anyone else affected by the plan or who the chief executive considers should receive a copy;
- any legal representative for the child or for the child's parents;
- the child's foster or kinship carer, who may or may not have attended the family group meeting, but will be involved in implementing the case plan for the child; and
- 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 should be given a copy of the case plan. This may not be appropriate, however, if an attendee will not be involved in the implementation of the case plan.
Duty to support implementation
In addition to fulfilling specific responsibilities in the case plan, the department must support the implementation of the case plan (Child Protection Act 1999 section 51T(d), 51Y(2)(d)).
- Last updated
- 30 June 2007
Other languages