The Definition of a "Care Agreement"
A Care Agreement is a short term agreement between the Department and a parent/s whereby the child is placed in temporary care under the direction of Child Safety Services.
Under this agreement, Child Safety Services can:
Make all day to day decisions about the child – including where they live.
There are two types of Care Agreements:
1. ‘Assessment Care Agreement’
and
2. ‘Child Protection Care Agreement’.
IMPORTANT TIPS TO NOTE REGARDING CARE AGREEMENTS
All Care Agreements MUST:
• Be in WRITING.
• Document HOW LONG it is for.
• State WHERE the child will reside (name, address & contact no.)
• State the CONTACT ARRANGEMENTS with your client and other family members.
• Document the type of decisions about the child you must be consulted about.
REMEMBER!
1. Make sure the AGREEMENT is in WRITING and that you receive a COPY of it!
2. NOTE: The Department can apply for a Child Protection Order (CPO) AT ANY TIME DURING the Care Arrangement