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 Reports to Child Safety x3 Reports (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

Open 52 weeks/year Contact options : 8 Operating hours Family

9 How Family and Child Connect will operate

Community members Child Safety Professionals Self-referrals Mandatory reporters 10 Contacting Family and Child Connect

Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Worker 11 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) 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 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 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 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 Family and Child Connect- Information & advice Seek advice from Family and Child Connect Internal consultation Principal School leadership team guidance officer Student Protection Advisor Internal consultation Principal School leadership team guidance officer Student Protection Advisor

19 How do I refer a family? 19 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

20 Progress Views and wishes Issues relating to child’s siblings Progress Views and wishes Issues relating to child’s siblings Health problems Mental illness Substance abuse problem Disability History of violence Treatments 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 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: –Online training modules –Electronic copies of the resource sheets and guide

25 Questions