4.10 Implementing the case plan
Purpose
This procedure outlines the process for implementing, monitoring and recording the implementation of the case plan for a child.
Authority
- Child Protection Act 1999, section 5(1), 6, 51T(d) and 83
Implementation
The department must support the implementation of the case plan that is developed for a child and it is the responsibility of the CSO to facilitate and support progress toward the case plan goal and outcomes during implementation stage. At all times the CSO must uphold the principles of the Child Protection Act 1999, specifically section 5(1), which states that the welfare and best interests of the child are paramount.
The CSO will make every effort to build positive relationships with children, families and service providers and interact in a culturally appropriate way with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities and recognised entities, and the CSO must ensure that:
- the recognised entity for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child is given an opportunity to participate in the decision-making process for all significant decisions, and consulted for all other decisions (Child Protection Act 1999, section 6);
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children are placed in accordance with the child placement principle (Child Protection Act 1999, section 83).
- Practice Paper: Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The role of the CSO during the implementation of a case plan
During the implementation stage, it is the responsibility of the CSO to:
- visit the child, the parents or the carer according to the minimum departmental contact requirements;
- manage family contact for the child;
- consult with the recognised entity, where appropriate;
- monitor, assess and record the progress of the case plan towards the case plan goal;
- complete the actions assigned to them in the case plan;
- ensure the case plan strategies are coordinated;
- liaise with other service providers;
- place and support the child in an out-of-home care placement, if required;
- undertake court related tasks; and
- consult with a team leader when making key decisions, and have regular supervision.
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When the case plan goal is reunification, the CSO will plan to meet the child's best interest in the long-term if the reunification goal cannot be met. When reunification is not the goal of the case plan, the CSO will work towards out-of-home long-term care for a child.
Monitoring implementation
The CSO will maintain regular contact with a child, family or service provider and gather information about the safety and well-being of the child, the completion of the case plan activities and the progress towards the case plan goal. Regular contact will effectively monitor the progress of the case plan and meet the needs of the child. Contact can be either indirect (for example, telephone conversations) or face-to-face.
If any information gathered during the implementation indicates that the child has been harmed, is at risk of harm or is unsafe, or that their protection and care needs are not being met, the CSO must take immediate action to ensure their safety and well-being.
If any information gathered indicates that significant changes have occurred in the circumstances of the child or family, or there are significant problems with the case plan, then a case plan review may be initiated.
If information is received that a child subject to a child protection order, and in an out-of-home care placement, has been harmed or is at risk of harm, the CSO will record the information as a matter of concern.
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Recording information
All information about the implementation of the case plan will be recorded as soon as possible in case notes and will be used during the review process to assess progress towards the case plan goal and outcomes. Recorded information must be factual and objective, and facts must be distinguished from opinions and assumptions. The CSO should record:
- significant events that occur in the life of a child or family;
- any risks to a child's safety that are identified, and the strategies undertaken to ensure a child's safety;
- decisions that are made, the rationale for the decisions and the process by which they are made;
- information that relates to the progress of the case plan; and
- details of all contact with a child, parent, family, carer, service provider or other significant persons.
Information will be recorded in ICMS using either the 'case planning/implementation' or 'case discussion/decision' case note types. If using a generic case note, specify clearly and specifically what the case note relates to in the description field.
- Last updated
- 30 June 2007
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