Our commitment to children and young people
Children and young people need to grow up in the care of people who love and nurture them so that they can be the best they can be.
Child Safety wants children and young people to:
- be connected to family, community and culture
- feel safe and know who to talk to if they don’t feel safe
- know that Child Safety will help their family to make changes to deal with the things that have everyone worried
- have people in their life that care about them and who will stay in contact with them
- know that we will do our very best for them
- dream big, achieve great things and become an awesome adult.
Child Safety will:
- make sure children and young people know why Child Safety is involved and what we are worried about
- be courteous and respect them as the expert on their life, their family and their culture
- ask them what’s working well, explore their strengths and celebrate their success
- listen to what they are worried about and what they think needs to happen
- work with them, their family and community, about their safety, belonging and wellbeing
- help and encourage them to develop strong support networks and to put plans about what needs to happen into action
- use plain language, and give them full and frank information about what we are doing well and how we could do things better or differently.
Standards of care
Foster and kinship carers share a responsibility alongside other partners in care, to provide a level of care which is consistent with the statement of standards, as outlined in section 122 of the Child Protection Act 1999. The statement of standards provides sets an expectation of quality care for children in care, and forms a basis for assessing whether a care environment is suitable.
Foster and kinship carers’ responsibilities to children and young people
The responsibilities of foster and kinship carers to the child or young person in their care are:
- to provide a safe, caring and predictable environment, where they model appropriate positive behaviour, and encourage and support positive relationships between the child or young person and the members of their family
- to encourage ongoing relationships with the child or young person’s own family in a way that is safe and non-threatening and consistent with the current case plan
- to assist and support the child or young person in accordance with the Statement of Standards
- to maintain confidentiality about the child or young person, their family and their circumstances
- to advocate on behalf of the child or young person for the resources and services required to ensure their full potential is reached
- to support and encourage the participation of the child or young person in the development of the placement agreement, the case plan and in the ongoing decisions that affect their life
- to ensure, with support, the appropriate discipline of the child or young person using methods approved by the department
- to keep documents and other records belonging to the child or young person safe at all times
- to work with Child Safety to maximise support for the child or young person during the planned conclusion or change of a placement, in a way that is least detrimental to the child or young person
- to encourage and support children and young people in care to participate in activities that enhance their self-esteem and general wellbeing
- to ensure that the child’s cultural needs, cultural identity and connectedness are respected and encouraged.
Legal obligations of a permanent guardian
The responsibilities of permanent guardians to the child or young person in their care are:
- comply with the charter of rights for a child in care
- help the child transition to adulthood
- preserve the child’s identity and connection to their culture of origin, to the extent it is in the best interests of the child
- help maintain the relationship between the child and the child’s family and persons of significance and provide opportunities for ongoing family contact with them
- tell the parents where the child is living
- give them information about the child’s care
- provide opportunity for contact between the child and the child’s parents and appropriate members of the child’s family as often as is appropriate in the circumstances
- immediately inform Child Safety, in writing or via email, should the child be leaving their care in the near future where the child is living
- immediately inform Child Safety, in writing or via email, should the child leave their care prior to turning 18 years of age.
Charter of rights
Children and young people in out-of-home care have particular needs that must be addressed in order to ensure their safety and improve their emotional, physical and psychological well-being. The charter of rights describes the core rights that apply to every child and young person who is subject to the custody or guardianship of the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services.
Making a complaint
You have the right to voice your concerns or make a complaint about a decision made by Child Safety in relation to the child in your care. Child Safety is committed to working with you to resolve these matters as quickly as possible.
Find more information about issues and complaints.
If you require any further information about the legislative changes as they relate to permanency and the permanent care order, refer to the document ‘Frequently Asked Questions for carer and care services’ on the Child Safety legislation page.