1
Family and Child Connect
2
Agenda
How Family and Child Connect operates
Why Family and Child Connect was established
What is Family and Child Connect?
Location and opening hours
Family and Child Connect response options and referral process
3
2002 2012
Reports to Child Safety
x3Reports
(intakes) tripled in 10 years
4
Inquiry recommendation
“…establish a dual pathway with a community-based intake gateway that includes an out-posted Child Safety Officer as an alternative to the existing Child Safety intake process.”
5
Multiple pathways
6
Key functions
Information, advice and/or
referral for support
Active engagement,
needs identification and referral for support
Lead a Local Level
Alliance
Family and Child Connect sites
July 2015
• Browns Plains/Beaudesert
• Rockhampton/Gladstone/Emerald
• Moreton Bay• Ipswich• Maryborough/
Bundaberg• Kingaroy
Jan 2015
• Toowoomba• Roma• Sunshine Coast
(incl Gympie)• Townsville• Gold Coast• Logan• Beenleigh/
Bayside
Jan 2016
• Mackay • Cairns• Mt Isa/Gulf
• Cape York/Torres Strait
• Brisbane North• Brisbane South• Brisbane
South West
8
Open 52 weeks/year
Contact options:
Operating hours
1 2 3
13 Family
9
How Family and Child Connect will operate
10
Community members
Child Safety
Professionals
Self-referrals
Mandatory reporters
Contacting Family and Child Connect
11
Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Worker
Key roles
12
Principal Child Protection Practitioner
Key roles
13
Family and Child Connect response options and referral process
Response options
Provide information and advice
Refer to specialist service provider
Support referral
process
Undertake active-
engagement(referral
criteria apply)
Active engagement
Assess and record the intake
Contact the family to gain
consent
Undertake needs
identification with the family
(common assessment
tools)
Undertake active-holding (if required)
16
The referred family has a child unborn to 18 years of age, and
Without support the child, young person and family are at risk of entering or re-entering the statutory child protection system, and
The child is not currently in need of protection, and
The family would benefit from access to intensive and specialist support services, and
The family has multiple and complex needs
Referral criteria
17
IFS
• Referral criteria met• Sufficient information
about the family’s needs• IFS service that would be
appropriate is known
Family and Child Connect
• Referral criteria met • Less confident of the
family’s needs• Further needs assessment
is required to identify appropriate service/s
IFS services vs Family and Child Connect
18
What if I am unsure whether to refer?
Child Protection Guide
• Supports decisions regarding reports and referrals
• Family and Child Connect referral criteria is built in
Family and Child Connect-
Information & advice
• Seek advice from Family and Child Connect
Internal consultation
• Principal• School leadership
team• guidance officer• Student Protection
Advisor
1919
How do I refer a family?
Talk to the family about the referral
Access the web-enabled form
Determine that you have met the Family and Child Connect referral criteria for active engagement
Be guided by the questions and provide information regarding the needs of the family
Print and file the completed referral on the client file
2020
• Progress• Views and wishes• Issues relating to
child’s siblings
• Health problems• Mental illness• Substance abuse
problem• Disability• History of violence• Treatments
• Known history of harm
• Psychological and emotional difficulties
• Education• Disabilities• Allergies & dietary
requirements• Persons who pose
a risk
What information can be shared?
21
Scenario Activity 1 Should I refer to Family and Child Connect?A teacher discusses the need to contact a student’s parents with the student. The student started to cry and said her step father would hit her although couldn’t remember when he last hit her. The student hurts herself sometimes as she likes to feel pain. The student’s mum isn’t around much. The student has not had previous injuries however had been withdrawn lately and not doing as well in her studies. The teacher believes the family requires support however is unsure what the family’s level of needs are and which support service is right for the family.
• The information meets the referral criteria for Family and Child Connect as the family appears to have multiple needs
• The teacher is unsure regarding the level of need or which service is right for the family
• The teacher makes a referral to Family and Child Connect
22
Scenario Activity 2 Should I refer to Family and Child Connect?A student was didn’t have books for class. The Principal asked the student about his books and he said he did have books but he didn’t have his bag because he lost his school bag and his mum wouldn’t replace it. The student informed the Principal he didn’t have any lunch because his mum ran out of money and this always happens. The student was given a sandwich and juice from the tuckshop. The Principal is aware of a local service which assists parent’s with budgeting.
• The information does not meet the referral criteria for Family and Child Connect as the family needs do not appear complex
• The Principal believes the family requires support with budgeting and is aware of a local service
• The Principal speaks with the mother who consents to support being provided • The Principal supports the mother in contacting the service to request
assistance
23
Conclusion
24
More information
Refer to the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services’ website: www.communities.qld.gov.au\
– Online training modules – Electronic copies of the resource sheets and guide
2525
Questions
Top Related