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