Case planning

Where there will be ongoing intervention with a child or young person, a case plan will be developed with their family to address their safety, belonging and wellbeing needs.

What is a case plan?

The initial case plan for a child or young person will be developed at a family group meeting.

This is an inclusive and participative process that includes the child, young person, their family and other significant people in the development of the case plan. It includes information about the views and wishes of the child, parent and significant others, as well as relevant cultural information and details of how we will keep a child or young person connected to their family.

Case planning is about mapping a way forward for a child or young person. Case plans include a primary and alternative permanency goal and sets out what needs to be achieved and the actions required to meet the child or young person’s safety belonging and wellbeing needs.

It also includes information about the roles and responsibilities of all participants in undertaking the actions to promote the child or young person’s safety, belonging and wellbeing needs and how we will know when the goals and actions of the plan have been achieved.

When it is identified that a child, young person or their family may need additional support and assistance from another service provider, as part of the case plan the child safety officer will make the relevant referral and will:

• have regular contact with the service provider
• monitor the services provided making sure they are targeted and meet the needs of the child, young person or their family.

In some circumstances, multiple services may be working with the child, young person or their family to meet the needs outlined in the case plan. The length of time they will need to engage with the service provider will be specified in the case plan.

The Childrens Court cannot grant a final Child Protection Order unless an appropriate case plan has been prepared for a child.