1. Metro West Placement Matching Panel A Collaborative Approach Nigel Lindsay, Rachael Atkinson, Phillip Hugill & Ingrid Dalkeith

2. What? Fortnightly combined NGO & CS placement forum Every funded NGO and Absec is invited. CS provide secretariat 30-90 C&YP listed for each meeting NGO’s can list C&YP for the agenda NGO’s speak about the C&YP that they know The decision making is a collaborative process with the aim of a consensus decision. Matching meetings

3. Why? Improve matching C&YP to available placements Improve placement stability Share sector knowledge & discuss sector issues Improve collaboration Improve accountability, openness and transparency Increase the participation of the NGO sector Become unified voice in the sector To achieve this we needed true partnership

4. Placement Principles The needs of the child will be paramount. Children’s Guardian requirements are maintained. Cultural placement principles are maintained. Children and young people should be placed as close geographically as possible to maintain school, family and community connections where it is safe to do so. Where possible and appropriate sibling groups should be maintained All placements are in line with carers authorisation and agency accreditation. Placements are made on the basis of least disruption to the children and young people and placement stability.

5. PMP themes and values Child at the centre of the discussion The children are real Matching is a priority Shared responsibility for solutions Trust in the room Equality Consensus decision making NGO placement preference Willingness to accept feedback, change the process, and undertake evolution

6. “One hundred per cent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the PMP:  is a useful and helpful meeting  is their preferred method of participating in placement matching and discussion  has a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people  helped them to have a better understanding of placement needs and issues across the sector”.

7. Key Issues Cohort of young people in the age range 7-12 Aboriginal Children and Young People Multi cultural issues

8. Challenges The PMP can not place every child The time commitment Placement breakdown Confidentiality Contractual limitations

9. Future directions Evaluation Evolution Complex case panel Roll out to other regions and potentially other states