Recognizing the need for a consistent and standardized framework for the provision of child protection services, the Government of Western Australia’s Department for Child Protection established the following tool. The Department has a legislative role in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children, and to provide for their protection and care in circumstances where their parents have not given, or are unlikely or unable to give, that protection and care. In recognition of this responsibility, it became evident that the sector would be best suited by one set of standards applicable to all children in the Department’s care irrespective of who is providing their out-of-home care arrangement. The result, Better Care Better Services Standards, are applicable to the Department’s child protection and investigative role and apply to all children in the CEO’s care supported by the Department or funded services.
Better Care, Better Services compliments a range of significant legislation and other publications including: Children and Community Services Act 2004; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child 1990; Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care 2006; and Foster Families Charter of Rights in Western Australia 2004.
The document sets forth key standards through which child and youth protection will be approached in Western Australia. Each category of standards contains three components: the category; an overarching high level standard which outlines the intent of the standard and the supporting standards.
These standards fall into the following nine broad categories:
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Assessing the wellbeing of a child;
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Protection and safety of children and young people;
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Safety for children and young people in care;
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Responding to the needs of children and young people and families;
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Planning with children, young people, their families and carers;
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Children and young people in placement;
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Accountability and governance;
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Carers and staff recruitment, training, assessment and support; and
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Complaints and disputes.
