When Children and Young People Move (Including Overseas) Policy
What's Important To Us
It is important that we are child-centred whenever a child or young person moves from one placement to another. Their interests come first. We know that children and young people are vulnerable when moving between locations. It is our job to make transitions as smooth as possible and that we work positively across the professional system in the child’s best interests.
The movement of children and young people around the country and between offices is a key area for Child, Youth and Family to manage. This policy outlines requirements when there is a case transfer, children are living outside their normal area, or travelling either locally or internationally.
Notifications when multiple offices involved
Notifications are referred to the office nearest the present location of the child/young person. Where there is an open phase at another office, the supervisor receiving the new notification must phone the appropriate supervisor in office where the family has been earlier engaged. Together the supervisors will plan the response that best meets the needs of the child. The office receiving the new notification will have the responsibility to investigate or assess these concerns. Ongoing, open interventions remain the responsibility of the original office unless the transfer policy is followed.
Case Transfers
If a child/young person is in your area, you must allocate a co-worker immediately. Supervisors must negotiate and approve a case transfer by phone, with respective manager agreement to any financial commitments. A supervisor from the receiving office must accept the case transfer, in CYRAS, within five working days of receiving the proposal. The supervisor can then allocate a social worker.
The originating office must ensure that all agreed tasks have been completed and all case records are up-to-date before the case transfer. The case transfer comprises all case records, including paper files, transferred to the receiving office. A supervisor from the receiving office must allocate the case within five working days of receiving the CYRAS transfer summary, unless more urgent action is required.
A co-worker will be allocated where applications are before the Family Court, but the originating office will continue to lead CYF involvement until these matters are resolved. Where a review is imminent, the originating office must complete the review and the receiving office must allocate a co-worker.
When there is a Family Group Conference plan but CYF is not involved, the co-ordinator must negotiate directly with the receiving office’s site manager and co-ordinator about transferring files.
When a child in the custody of the CE moves with their caregiver, the caregiver's file is transferred at the same time as the child's, using the same process.
Considerations taken when children or young people are living outside of their home area
There will be a number of occasions when children/young people are living outside of their home area; for example, attending boarding school, attending a programme or on holiday. In these situations, the originating office must advise the office nearest to the child/young person's intended location prior to the child/young person's move.
International Travel
Considerations taken when a child/young person travels internationally.
Social workers must consult with their supervisors when considering travel and/or placement of a child/young person overseas. The practice leader is also consulted immediately, and they must consult with the inter-state liaison officer as soon as they are aware of any travel or proposed placement.
Resource: Approval template for international travel
If a child/young person is in the custody of the chief executive, or if CYF has been party to a decision to place, approval must be given prior to any child/young person being placed overseas.
