❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on the Department of Community Development's procedures for handling complaints regarding child protection services and the availability of external review for case decisions. The answer details internal processes and avenues for external scrutiny.
AnsweredQoN 2401Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Does the Department of Community Development have clear procedures for receiving, assessing and responding to complaints about the provision of child protection services, including foster care, relative care and alternative care?
(2) If yes to (1), what are those procedures?
(3) Are individual case decisions made by Department of Community Development officers in the area of child protection subject to external review?
(4) If yes to (3), what is the name of the external review body, when was it established and what powers does it have to alter decisions made by Department of Community Development officers in individual child protection cases?
(2) If yes to (1), what are those procedures?
(3) Are individual case decisions made by Department of Community Development officers in the area of child protection subject to external review?
(4) If yes to (3), what is the name of the external review body, when was it established and what powers does it have to alter decisions made by Department of Community Development officers in individual child protection cases?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
1 June 2004
Responded by
Minister for Disability Services
Response time
91 days
(2) The Department’s complaints mechanisms are explained in a pamphlet published on the internet at www.fcs.wa.gov.au under the heading “Customer Service and Problems”. The pamphlet is also available in hard copy and is distributed along with posters from each of the local Departmental offices. Foster carers are also advised of this process through the Foster Carer Handbook. The pamphlet advises: If you have a problem If you have a problem or complaint about the Department for Community Development there are people who can listen to you and help you. This is what the Consumer Advocacy Service does. Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The pamphlet advises: If you have a problem If you have a problem or complaint about the Department for Community Development there are people who can listen to you and help you. This is what the Consumer Advocacy Service does. Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
If you have a problem If you have a problem or complaint about the Department for Community Development there are people who can listen to you and help you. This is what the Consumer Advocacy Service does. Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
(3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The pamphlet advises: If you have a problem If you have a problem or complaint about the Department for Community Development there are people who can listen to you and help you. This is what the Consumer Advocacy Service does. Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
If you have a problem If you have a problem or complaint about the Department for Community Development there are people who can listen to you and help you. This is what the Consumer Advocacy Service does. Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
Usually the best way to solve a problem is to speak with the Department officer who made decisions concerning you or your family. If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
If you are not happy with this you can talk with the officer's supervisor or the manager or ask the Consumer Advocacy Service to speak with the manager on your behalf. The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Consumer Advocacy Service helps people with complaints and problems about the Department. You may wish to contact the Consumer Advocacy Service . If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
If you believe a formal decision made by the Department is not in the best interest of a child you can: · ask for a review by the Case Review Board · write to the Minister for Community Development · contact the State Ombudsman who can approve an independent investigation. (3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
(3 and 4) See answer to (2). There is no provision in the Child Welfare Act 1947 for external review. However, application may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia invoking its parens patraie jurisdiction. The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Department also has a Case Review Board, which includes an independent chairperson and independent members. The Board has the authority to review the case conference plans of wards in the care of the Department. The Board may recommend changes to all or part of this plan. Recommendations from the Case Review Board are approved by the Director General. The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Child Death Review Committee is an independent committee, which establishes external scrutiny of department-level operations. The committee will report annually to the Minister and the Director General and outcomes will be made available to the public. The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
The Ombudsman of Western Australia is an independent and impartial body that investigates complaints about Western Australian government Departments, statutory authorities and local governments.
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