CSPM February 2013 updates

Child Safety Practice Manual - CSPM_Feb2013

 Released online on 13 February 2013.

 This release includes practice changes and amendments to the following chapters:

  • Chapter 5. Children in out-of-home care

Chapter 5.  Children in out-of-home care                             

 The practice changes and amendments are outlined under the relevant sections of the chapter.

 General                     

  • To support Education month (February 2013), which aims to highlight the importance of early education and ongoing education support to maximise the potential and positive outcomes for children and young people in care, Chapter 5 has been amended to provide additional practice resources to guide staff.

  • References to the rescinded policy ‘Transitional placements and Flexible Funding’ have been removed and replaced with links to the new child related costs policies and procedures.

 Authority

  • Amended to remove reference to rescinded policy ‘Transitional placements and Flexible Funding’
  • Amended to include three new policies and procedures:
    • Child related costs – placement funding
    • Child related costs – placement support funding

    • Emergent accommodation.

 1.4 Determine the most suitable placement type

  • The ‘Placement types and approval requirements’ table and text have been amended to include references to the new Emergent accommodation and Child related costs – placement and placement support policies and procedures.
  • Amended to remove references to ‘Flexible funding’.

  • Amended to remove references to ‘Transitional placements’.

 2.4  Respond to a child’s education needs           

  • The name of this section amended from ‘Education needs’.
  • Amended to include reference to a new practice paper ‘Valuing and improving educational outcomes for children in out-of-home care’ and a new practice resource ‘Education outcomes for children in out-of-home care’.

  • Inform the school principal about changes in circumstances, including changes in eligibility amended to include reference to a new letter to schools ‘Letter to school – Education support plan (change in eligibility).

 4.1 Conclude the child’s placement in out-of-home care       

  • Respond to a request by the carer for a child to leave the placement amended to include references to the new Child related costs – placement support funding.

 What Ifs?

 1. What if the child requires a placement with another entity (82(1)(f)?

  • Obtain approval for the placement amended to include references to the new Child related costs – placement funding policy and procedure.

 10. What if a child is also subject to youth justice intervention?

  • Obtain prior approval of costs to be met by Child Safety amended to include references to the new Child related costs – placement funding policy and procedure.

 Resources

Forms and templates

  • Amended to include ‘Letter to school – Education support plan (change in eligibility)

Child Safety resources

  • Amended to include the new practice paper ‘Valuing and improving educational outcomes for children in out-of-home care’
  • Amended to include the new practice resource ‘Education outcomes for children in out-of-home care’.