Policy and Learning Directorate
To ensure the development of appropriate policy frameworks, legislation and key performance indicators for the protection and care of vulnerable children within their family and community, and support to individuals and families at risk or in crisis.
The Directorate contains six areas:
- Child Protection
- Children and Young People in Care
- Individual and Family SupportInformation, Research and Evaluation
- Learning Development
- Legal Services and Legislation
- Mandatory Reporting
- Support to Advisory Committees (Committee Secretariat)
Child Protection
The Child Protection team has responsibility for high level strategic planning and development of policies and frameworks that safeguard and promote the wellbeing and protection of children and young people under the age of 18 years of age.
This work supports the Children and Community Services Act 2004. The team also has responsibility for matters relating to employment of children.
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Children and Young People in Care
The Children and Young People in Care team has specific responsibilities for the development of strategic policy and planning which promotes better outcomes for children and young people in the care of the CEO through frameworks that:
- Support children and young who are unable to live at home
- Plans and provides for a range of leaving care services
- Better assist children and young people in care to feel safe and supported
- Ensures the participation of children and young people in the care of the CEO in policy development and service delivery
- Works in collaboration with other directorates in the Department, State and Commonwealth Government agencies, the community services sector and consumers.
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Individual and Family Support
The Individual and Family Support team has policy and planning responsibility for services that support individuals and families who are at risk or in crisis, and work to increase the safety of children within families through frameworks that:
- Strengthen partnerships with other government agencies and the non government sector that will support a proactive approach to families and communities where children and young people are at risk.
- Improve the range and accessibility of services to families and communities that assist them to strengthen the safety of their children, and in particular in relation to family and domestic violence.
In recognition of Western Australia’s rich cultural, religious and linguistic diversity, the Individual and Family Support team continues the implementation of the Department’s Cultural Diversity and Strategic Policy. In addition, the team maintains its focus on the ongoing development of culturally responsive policy and planning for services through its dedicated Senior Cultural Diversity position.
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Information, Research and Evaluation
The Demand Planning, Research and Evaluation team has responsibility for collecting, analysing and reporting on information about departmental services and undertaking evaluations of services and performing research which will support policy and practice development.
The team has particular responsibility for providing accountability information for output based management, the Annual Report and national reports. The team also synthesises information from different sources for demand planning, and provides quality assurance and advice for research and evaluative activities
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Legal Services and Legislation
The Legal Services and Legislation team provides high level legal advice on complex and sensitive matters to the Department. This legal advice includes:
- Advising on all aspects of relevant law including the interpretation and application of relevant legislation
- High level liaison and consultation with key stakeholders including legal professionals, solicitors, barristers, departmental employees, the Director General and the Minister’s Office on complex legal matters.
The Legal Services and Legislation team is responsible for the coordination and management, and oversight of legislation and legislative processes specifically:
- Amendments to the Children and Community Services Act 2004 and Regulations
- Amendments to the Adoption Act 1994 and Regulations as (and if) required in response to the Review
- Amendments to Working with Children (Criminal Records Checking) Act 2004
The team also contributes to the development and formulation of policies, standards and strategies required by the Department to ensure compliance to appropriate legal requirements.
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Committee Secretariat
Government boards and committees play an important strategic role in providing leadership, direction and accountability across every area of Western Australian Government activity. Within the Policy and Planning Directorate, the Committee Secretariat provides executive and administrative support to a number of Ministerial and Departmental advisory bodies. They include:
- Advisory Council on the Prevention of Deaths of Children and Young People (ACPDCYP)
The ACPDCYP is an advisory body to the Cabinet Standing Committee on Social Policy through the Minister for Child Protection as Chair.
The Council’s purpose is to reduce or prevent the deaths of children aged 0 - 17 years in Western Australia and promote their health, safety and wellbeing through the review and analysis of relevant information and research and the making of recommendations.
- Care for Children and Young People Advisory Committee
The Care for Children and Young People Advisory Committee was established in February 2006 to provide advice to the Drector General that improves outcomes for children and young people who are either in out of-home care, leaving care or who may be placed in care, within the framework of the general principles stated in the Children and Community Services Act 2004.
- Child Safety Directors’ Group
The Child Safety Directors’ Group is part of the implementation of the Ford Review Report recommendations that each State Government agency with child safety and wellbeing responsibilities nominate a Child Safety Director.
- Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection (MACCP)
The aim of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Child Protection is to provide the State Government through the Minister for Child Protection with timely and expert advice on protective systems for children and young people, and support for their families.
- Supported Accommodation Assistance Program State Advisory Committee (SAAP SAC)
The Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) State Advisory Committee provides advice to the Minister for Child Protection on matters pertaining to the SAAP Program in Western Australia.
- Child Death Review Committee
This function is to be transferred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administrative Investigations (Ombudsman's Office) in 2007/08.
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