❓ A parliamentary question addresses the strategies and responsibilities within the Department of Community Development for protecting vulnerable children in foster or residential care, particularly when sexualised behaviour or offending is involved. The Minister outlines risk assessment, safety plans, and monitoring procedures.
AnsweredQoN 630Legislative Assembly
Asked
20 October 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s
Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
Notice has been given of this question. When the department receives information about a vulnerable client in foster or residential care, particularly if it is about a child known by the department to have sexualised behaviour, or a child who is known to have sexually offended against another child cohabiting with that child, I ask - (1) What specific strategies are put in place, such as extra staff, supervision at night time or separate rooms to protect that child? (2) What strategies must be followed to protect that vulnerable child? (3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(1) What specific strategies are put in place, such as extra staff, supervision at night time or separate rooms to protect that child? (2) What strategies must be followed to protect that vulnerable child? (3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(2) What strategies must be followed to protect that vulnerable child? (3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(1) What specific strategies are put in place, such as extra staff, supervision at night time or separate rooms to protect that child? (2) What strategies must be followed to protect that vulnerable child? (3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(2) What strategies must be followed to protect that vulnerable child? (3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(3) Whose responsibility is it to ensure that these procedures are put in place? (4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(4) How does the department ensure that these procedures are adhered to? Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
I thank the member for her question and for the quite considerable notice of this question. (1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(1)-(2) I am informed that measures are taken whenever possible to avoid such care arrangements, but special consideration is made in the planning of such an arrangement when it is unavoidable. The department has a dual responsibility for the protection and care of both the vulnerable child and the child considered to be a risk to others. An assessment is made of the risk and a safety plan developed and implemented. Then, depending on the risk assessment and the requirements of that individual plan, some or all of the following strategies might be implemented: direct care staff or foster carers are advised of the identified risk and the plan to be implemented; carers are advised that there are to be no unsupervised group activities, shared sleeping arrangements, group use of ablution facilities etc; carers are to monitor and be placed in close proximity of bedrooms during the night; extra care staff rostered up to 24 hours a day if necessary; a mentor-supervisor is contracted to minimise contact with other children and to engage the child in appropriate activities away from the care arrangement; the child, of course, would be engaged in an appropriate therapeutic program; and protective behaviour programs are implemented. As a high priority the department will endeavour to find an alternative care option when either the child identified as posing the risk or the vulnerable child will be cared for individually. (3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(3) Team leaders and case workers have day-to-day case management responsibility. If the placement involves a departmental facility or a non-governmental care service, the team leader for that facility will also be involved in the risk assessment and implementation of the plan. The district manager is responsible for all placements of children case managed by that district, and the divisional director is responsible for ensuring care arrangements are carried out. (4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
(4) Once implemented, the safety plan is monitored by ongoing case discussions between the case worker and the team leader. This is managed through supervision processes that also ensure the district manager is kept advised of the situation. The district manager is required to inform the director and executive director of the identified risk. The director-general is to be advised by the executive director. The director-general is responsible for reporting to me as minister on contentious or high-risk matters. There is pressure on the system. Fortunately the Government is dealing with only a very small group of children, but they are very damaged and difficult children. That is why we have been systematically dealing with the under-resourcing of the Department for Community Development and the quality assurance of the services that the department provides to children and the community. That is precisely why we have been ensuring that the department is provided with additional facilities, such as the 115 new workers, better support for foster carers and the duty of care unit.
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