Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content

Skip Navigation LinksProcedure

3.3.7 Secure care arrangements

Last Modified: 28-Jun-2023 Review Date: 13-Apr-2016

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Legislation

Overview

The Kath French Secure Care Centre (Secure Care) is a secure care facility. Secure Care is a therapeutic care service, providing planned, short-term intensive intervention intended for young people aged 12–17 years who meet the criteria. It is intended for this age group, but younger children are admitted in extenuating circumstances.  

Section 88C of the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (the Act) allows the CEO of the Department of Communities (the Department) to make an arrangement for the placement of a provisionally protected child or a protected child in a secure care facility.  This is referred to as a "secure care arrangement".

A secure care arrangement can be made following a decision that the child meets the criteria for admission. There are three 'secure care decisions' that can be made under s.88AJ of the Act:

  • A secure care arrangement.
  • A secure care period (the time of the secure care arrangement).
  • A decision to extend a secure care period if there are exceptional reasons.

A secure care arrangement can only be made for a child who is on a protection order (time-limited or until 18) or who is on a provisional protection and care order. Children on these orders are referred to as 'protected children'.

Under s.10 of the Children and Community Services Act 2004, child protection workers need to emphasise the importance of child participation, particularly in relation to significant events and times of intense planning for the child:

When a decision is being made that is likely to have a significant impact on a child's life, to make sure the child is able to participate in the decision-making process, the child must be given:

  • adequate information about the decision being made, in accessible language and in a way the child can understand.
  • an explanation on why the Department is making this decision.
  • an opportunity to express their wishes and views freely, according to their ability
  • any help they need to express their views and wishes
  • information on how their views and wishes will be documented, and
  • a chance to respond and to challenge the decision made.

In relation to the extent of a child's participation, due regard must be given to the child's age and level of understanding. 

Note: CEO refers to the Chief Executive Officer of the Department. 

Rules
  • Section 88C(2) of the Act provides that a secure care arrangement must only be made for a child subject to a protection order or in provisional protection and care where the CEO is satisfied that:

    1. there is an immediate and substantial risk of the child causing significant harm to him or herself or another person, and

    2. there is no other suitable way to manage that risk and to ensure that the child receives the care he or she needs. 


Process Maps
  • Flowchart Secure Care Admissions
  • Flowchart Secure Care - Protected Child
  • Flowchart Secure Care - Provisionally Protected Child

Information and Instructions

  • Criteria for admission to secure care
  • Secure care period
  • Referrals for a secure care arrangement (or to Secure Care)
  • Admission to a secure care facility
  • Secure care initial planning meeting
  • Reconsideration and review in relation to secure care arrangements
  • Temporary removal of children from Secure Care
  • Exit and transition from a secure care facility
  • Criteria for admission to secure care

    Admission to a secure care facility is a measure of last resort and a therapeutic intervention. Secure care arrangements are not punitive.

    Only 'protected children', can be placed in a secure care facility.

    Admission to a secure care facility must only occur in either of two ways:

    1. An administrative secure care arrangement made by the CEO. 
    2. An interim order (secure care) made by the Court. 

    Criteria considerations

    Each referral is assessed on a case by case basis. In addition to a child's chronological age and development, several factors and circumstances may contribute to a decision to admit a child to Secure Care. Secure care decisions, including the period of the arrangement, should be made in the best interests of the child.

    Before making a secure care arrangement, the decision-maker should be satisfied of both two criteria outlined in s.88C(2) of the Act (outlined under Rules section).

    Factors and circumstances that may contribute to a child meeting the criteria may include:

    • engaging in serious self-harm and/or suicidal behaviour that has been assessed by a mental health professional as behavioural rather than underpinned by mental health issues

    • displaying a highly concerning lack of mental health stability and safety outside of the expected norms for chronological age that are not able to be addressed by mental health services

    • engaging in a dangerous excessive use of drugs and alcohol impacting on their health and wellbeing and creating significant vulnerability, where the child has not engaged with appropriate services and there is no opportunity to do so

    • engaging in high-risk taking behaviour either directly or indirectly, such as stealing cars and driving at speed, placing themselves and/or other members of the community at significant risk

    • leaving their care arrangement regularly and staying in unsafe locations. This could include associating with known unsafe persons such as convicted sexual offenders and violent offenders or others who participate in criminal activity, and/or

    • exhibiting significantly harmful sexual behaviours that require immediate intervention.

    The presence of one of these factors or circumstances may not warrant a child's admission to Secure Care.  Children who meet the criteria for admission usually exhibit behaviours across several of the factors and circumstances outlined above.

    Criteria for secure care arrangements

    A secure care arrangement can be made by the CEO if a protected child or a provisionally protected child meets:

    • the legislative threshold under s.88C of the Act

    • the admission requirements of secure care

    • the recommended age group of 12-17 years of age (admission of children under 12 years of age can occur where extenuating circumstances exist), and

    • his or her location is known.


     

    If the child identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, consultation must occur with the Aboriginal practice leader (or other relevant senior Aboriginal officer) in the district office. 

    This must include consultation on any cultural considerations relevant to the child's admission at the time, considering the urgency of the situation.

    You must also provide a Cultural Support Plan with the referral or within 2 working days of admission.


    All consultations should be recorded as tasks in the case plan. 

    Under 'Description' record:

    • the date of the consultation

    • the names of staff members, including the Aboriginal practice leader or other Aboriginal staff, involved in the consultation

    • the issues discussed and the outcomes, and 

    • record the Objective reference number of any other documents relating to the consultation, for example, Form 456 Request for Aboriginal Practice Leader Consultation. 

    Refer to the Assist User Guide - Case Plan - Case Plan Consultation for further information. 

    Criteria for interim orders (secure care)

    The district applying for an interim order (secure care) must discuss the appropriateness of a secure care arrangement for the child with the Director Secure Care before lodging the application with the Court.

    The consultation process is essential in supporting appropriate referrals and preparing Court applications.  Secure Care is limited to six beds, so the number of admissions is to be carefully managed to children who have the greatest need of the service in relation to the criteria.

    An interim order (secure care) can be made by the Court if a provisionally protected child meets the legislative threshold under s.134A of the Act. That is, the Court must be satisfied that:

    • there is an immediate and substantial risk of the child causing significant harm to him or herself or another person, and
    • there is no other suitable way to manage that risk and to ensure that the child receives the care he or she needs. 

    If…

    Then…

    The CEO places a provisionally protected child in a secure care facility under a secure care arrangement and a protection application has not yet been made

    The CEO must apply to the Court for a continuation order at the time of making the protection application (within two working days after the child is placed in the secure care facility)

    The CEO places a provisionally protected child in a secure care facility under a secure care arrangement and protection proceedings have commenced
    ​The CEO must apply to the Court for a continuation order as soon as practical, and not more than two working days after the child is placed in the secure care facility 

    If the Court does not make a continuation order regarding the child, the secure care arrangement must cease, and the child transitioned to another suitable care arrangement as soon as practicable.
    Top

    Secure care period

    The period a child is to spend in the secure care arrangement (the secure care period) must be decided as soon as practical after the secure care arrangement is made. The secure care period is to be recommended by the district in Form 742 Referral for a Secure Care Arrangement (in related resources). 

    The secure care period should be for the time considered necessary to stabilise the child and must be within 21 days.

    A secure care period may be cancelled at any time (unless it is a secure care arrangement made or continued under an interim order (secure care).

    The CEO may extend the secure care period for a further period not exceeding 21 days if there are exceptional reasons for doing so. A decision to extend the secure care period is made on a case by case basis only where there are exceptional reasons and where a child's behaviour indicates that they continue to meet the secure care admission criteria.

    An extension as a care arrangement option in the absence of alternative arrangements is not considered to be an exceptional reason.

    A decision to extend the secure care period should be made in the best interests of the child. The CEO cannot extend the secure care period for a secure care arrangement more than once. 

    The secure care period pursuant to an interim order (secure care) made by the Court must be 21 days and not exceed this period.

    To extend the secure care period of an interim order, the CEO must apply to the Court for an extension. The Court may extend the secure care period for a further period not exceeding 21 days if it is satisfied there are exceptional reasons for doing so.  

    The Court cannot extend the secure care period for an interim order (secure care) more than once.

    The following factors and circumstances may contribute to a decision to extend a child's stay in Secure Care and can be considered examples of exceptional reasons:

    • An escalation in the child's aggression, self-harming and suicidal ideation.

    • The child has made clear plans to engage in high-risk taking, and/or plans to hurt themself and others.

    • The child has increasingly isolated themselves and continues to demonstrate hopelessness and flat affect along with other indications of risk to self, including disconnection from supports, and there are no other ways to care for the child.

    • There is a definite appropriate care arrangement identified, available within a short timeframe and the child would be considered at significant risk by being placed in an inappropriate temporary care arrangement, that would undermine the gains made and the opportunity for a safe transition.

    Top

    Referrals for a secure care arrangement (or to Secure Care)


    You should consult with the Secure Care Management Team on whether the child's behaviours and current circumstances meet the criteria for a secure care decision before completing a referral.

    Referrals made during business hours

    District staff complete an assessment of the child's needs to determine whether the child meets the criteria for a secure care arrangement under s.88C of the Act as set out in the Secure Care Admission Flowchart (also in related resources).

    Complete Form 742 Referral for a Secure Care Arrangement (also in related resources), and provide accompanying information (care plan, including cultural considerations for admission, provisional care plan and any other relevant assessments, including an exit plan for the child). 

    This is to be endorsed by the District Director (DD) and forwarded to the Director, Secure Care, via email to CPFrontdeskSecureCare.

    A panel comprising the Director Secure Care, Assistant Director Secure Care, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Senior Child Protection Worker (SCPW) (the Secure Care Management Team) will consider the referral and determine its appropriateness against the legislative threshold as well as against other factors, such as the availability of a secure care bed.

    In addition to the legislative criteria, the referral should address:

    • information on the child's presenting behaviours and other important factors to inform Secure Care's response to the child's needs, and

    • how the district will work together with Secure Care staff to meet the child's needs during their admission period and to prepare for and support their transition from Secure Care.

    If endorsed, the Director Secure Care forwards the secure care referral to the relevant Executive Director (ED) for consideration. 

    In urgent situations, the Director Secure Care has delegated authority to make a secure care arrangement.  The proposal for a secure care arrangement is either approved or not approved.  Consultation may occur between the DD, Director Secure Care and the relevant ED if there is concern about the outcome of the referral.

    The Director Secure Care will advise the DD in circumstances where an application to the Court for an interim order (secure care) is required under s.133(2B) of the Act because the child is under provisional protection and care. If the referral is approved, application for an interim order (secure care) is made by Legal and Business Services.

    For further information refer to the Secure Care flowcharts: 

    • Admissions

    • Protected Child, and 

    • Provisionally Protected Child (all in related resources).

    If the child's location is unknown

    If the child's location is not known, the referral is approved by the relevant ED as a proposal for a secure care arrangement in respect of the child. The approval is held as pending for seven days.

    The relevant district office, or the Statewide Referral and Response Team (SRRS), lodge a completed Risk Assessment Tool (also in related resources) with the Western Australian Police (WA Police) Police Assistance Centre in relation to the child or young person being 'missing from their care arrangement and the issuing of a warrant under s.86 of the Act.

    Refer to entry 2.1 Children who are at risk of being abducted or removed or are missing for further information.

    Once the child is located, consultation should occur between the Director Secure Care and the child protection worker/DD (or if after hours, the SRRS and the DD) to determine whether the child still meets the legislative criteria for admission to Secure Care.  

    If the child is assessed as still meeting the legislative criteria, the relevant ED will make a secure care arrangement in writing using Form 745 Secure Care Arrangement (in related resources). 

    The Act requires that the child, parents and carers (and any other person considered by us to have a direct and significant interest in the child's wellbeing) must be notified as soon as practical that a secure care arrangement has been made and where a decision to extend the secure care arrangement has been made.

    All notices about Secure Care that are required under the Act are issued by the Director Secure Care.

    Referrals made outside business hours

    The referral process by the SRRS is the same as that of district referrals during business hours.

    The SRRS assess the child's needs against an existing secure care referral and complete Form 742 Referral for a Secure Care Arrangement (in related resources).

    The referral is completed and signed-off by the SRRS on-call Director and the appropriate SRRS officers at that time or as soon as practical.

    The SRRS team leader and/or other staff consult with the DD responsible for the child to gain their endorsement for a secure care referral.

    If the child identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, consultation must occur with the Aboriginal practice leader (or other relevant senior Aboriginal officer) in the district office as soon as practicable.  All consultations must be recorded as tasks in the case plans the next working day.

    Under 'Description' record:

    • the date of the consultation

    • the names of staff members, including the Aboriginal practice leader or other Aboriginal staff, involved in the consultation

    • the issues discussed and the outcomes, and 

    • record the Objective reference number of any other documents relating to the consultation, for example, Form 456 Request for Aboriginal Practice Leader Consultation

    Refer to the Assist User Guide - Case Plan - Case Plan Consultation for further information. 

    In some circumstances, risk issues may override the ability to consult with an Aboriginal practice leader when it is after hours.

    The SRRS staff contact the Secure Care on-call Director and email/discuss the secure care referral endorsed by the DD.

    The on-call Director will consult with the SRRS, the DD and others involved in assessing the appropriateness of the referral. The on-call Secure Care Director will contact the relevant ED that a referral has been endorsed and will be sent to them. The referral will then be sent to the ED for consideration of approval.

    If approved and the child's location is known

    After a secure care arrangement decision is made, the child can be transferred to the care of Secure Care staff.

    If a secure care arrangement is made by the relevant ED or, if unavailable, the Director Secure Care, the SRRS makes the practical arrangements for transporting the child to Secure Care. 

    The SRRS may request assistance from Secure Care, and WA Police if necessary, in transporting the child to the secure care facility.

    Refer to the Bilateral Schedule between the Department for Child Protection and Family Support and Western Australia Police – Transport of Provisionally Protected and Protected Children and Young People under a Secure Care Arrangement 2016 for further information (also in related resources).

    The SRRS is responsible for completing and forwarding the secure care referral to the secure care facility with accompanying information (care plan and other assessments), and for forwarding all reports to the DD, team leader and CPW via the CPFrontdesk email.  

    If approved and the child's location is unknown

    A secure care arrangement cannot be made if the child's location is not known. However, a proposal for a secure care arrangement can be approved pending a final decision.

    The approved referral remains open as a proposal for a secure care arrangement until the child is located or for seven days.  Once located, consideration should be given as to whether the child still meets the legislative criteria for a secure care arrangement decision.

    Top

    Admission to a secure care facility

    There are several considerations when admitting a child under a secure care arrangement into a secure care facility. 

    Transport to a secure care facility

    The Department has primary responsibility for transporting the child to and from the secure care facility. 

    Transport should be managed and coordinated by the SCPW or Assistant Director Secure Care with support from the district. You should attend the centre at the time of the child's admission wherever possible.

    Consideration should be given to the dynamics of the child's age, gender, known history (risk) and any cultural considerations relevant to the child's transport and admission to Secure Care.  Where possible, you and another staff member will accompany the child to Secure Care. 

    When necessary, the WA Police may be requested to assist in the transportation of a child.

    WA Police perform this task as agreed in the Bilateral Schedule between and the Department for Child Protection and Family Support and Western Australia Police - Transport of Provisionally Protected and Protection Children and Young People under a Secure Care Arrangement 2016.

    WA Police may be involved in the transportation of a child to the secure care facility, where possible, under any of the following circumstances:

    • s.37 of the Act where a WA Police officer takes a child into provisional protection and care without a warrant if the child is at immediate and substantial risk. The officer must notify the CEO of his or her action and the reasons for doing it.

    • s.86 of the Act where a WA Police officer obtains a warrant (apprehension) where a child is absent from, or taken without authority from, a care arrangement (not secure care). Under s.122 of the Act, the warrant (apprehension) authorises the officer to take the child back to the initial care arrangement or such other place as the CEO directs which could be to a secure care facility.

    • s.87 of the Act where a WA Police officer apprehends a child without a warrant when:

      • that child is absent from, or taken without authority from, a care arrangement (not secure care), and

      • the child is at immediate or substantial risk, or

      • there is a significant likelihood the officer will not be able to find the child unless the child is apprehended immediately. This provision authorises the officer to take the child back to the initial care arrangement or to such other place as the CEO directs, which could be to a secure care facility, or

      • s.88J of the Act provides that where an authorised officer or WA Police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect a child has been  taken without lawful authority from a secure care facility, the officer may apprehend the child and return him or her to a secure care facility or any  place that the CEO directs

        • In exercising this power, an officer may:

     (a) enter, at any time, any place where the officer reasonably believes the child to be, and

     (b) search the place for the purpose of finding the child.

        •  An officer may use reasonable force and assistance. An authorised officer may be accompanied by a WA Police officer.

    In other circumstances, we may request assistance from WA Police when it is considered necessary for the safety and security of the child and staff.  

    Unless children are transported by WA Police under s.37, 86, 87 or 88J of the Act, all children transported by WA Police should be accompanied by a Department (child protection) officer throughout the transportation process.

    Accompanying children in transportation is important because we have a duty of care for all children in the CEO's care.  

    To request assistance, the case manager in collaboration with the SCPW Secure Care, contacts the Officer in Charge of the police station nearest the child's location. In situations where the district has an existing collaborative relationship with the local police, it may be advantageous for the district to seek police support.

    The Department will advise the local police of the relevant history, situation, location and behaviours of the child.  Consultation will occur to resolve the time, duration and estimated time of arrival at the destination.  

    WA Police must be notified immediately if a child leaves while under a secure care arrangement or leaves during transportation to or from the secure care facility. The Secure Care Officer with responsibility for the child or young person should call '000' and report the child or young person as 'missing'. Then complete the Risk Assessment Tool and email it to WA Police at PACProcessingSMAIL@police.wa.gov.au. For further information refer to 2.1.1 'Missing' and 'Unaccounted for' children and young people in the CEO's care (communities.wa.gov.au)

    Regional areas

    WA Police, district and secure care staff need to negotiate logistics when transporting a child under a secure care arrangement to the secure care facility from regional areas of WA within 400 kilometres of the facility.

    Where possible, the trip should be broken into equal portions of travel to ensure the safety and welfare of the child and Secure Care staff.

    For children in remote regional areas, transport discussions should be held with the district, police and Secure Care staff to ensure safety where air travel is required. Secure Care has an arrangement with Perth Airport to ensure safe and supportive transfer of children to their care.  

    The child's medical information

    Where possible, the referring district should forward all medical information and treatment plans to the secure care facility prior to admission, including any prescriptions and the child's Medicare number.

    As part of the admission process, the child may require an immediate medical assessment. If so, the child is admitted to Secure Care and then triaged by the Secure Care Nurse (if available).

    When a child is admitted after hours, and where it is identified that an immediate medical assessment is required, the on call medical staff will be contacted to attend. 

    Top

    Secure care initial planning meeting

    A secure care initial planning meeting is held as soon as practical after a child is admitted to a secure care facility and no later than two working days after admission.   

    The purpose of the secure care initial planning meeting is for you to share important information and work collaboratively with relevant service providers, the child and their family and to develop a plan that identifies:

    • the objectives to be worked towards while the child is in Secure Care, and

    • the needs of the child in his or her transition from Secure Care to other living arrangements.

    The district referring the child retains all case management responsibility, including the modification of the care plan or provisional care plan.  

    The child, his or her parents and carers, and any other person considered by the CEO to have a direct and significant interest in the wellbeing of the child, may be invited to participate in the secure care initial planning meeting, where appropriate and at the discretion of the district and the Director Secure Care.

    Provisional care plans and care plans

    As soon as practical following an admission to Secure Care, and not more than two working days after, the child's care plan or provisional care plan must be modified. This includes modifying the child's Cultural Support Plan.

    Modification of care plans or provisional care plans usually occur at the secure care initial planning meeting.  It should be noted that if there has been a State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) decision that has resulted in the modification of the child's care plan, it must remain in place for 12 months unless there is a significant change in facts or circumstances, or new facts or circumstances require the modification of the SAT decision (s.89(4) of the Act). Refer to Chapter 3.3 Care Planning entry for further information.

    Section 88I(5) of the Act requires that the provisional care plan or care plan:

    • identifies the needs of the child for transitioning to other living arrangements after leaving the secure care facility, and 

    • outlines measures designed to address those needs and reduce the likelihood of being placed in a secure care facility again.

    The plan also identifies:

    • the agreed objectives, actions and tasks

    • who is responsible for these (including resources)

    • the timeframe, and

    • a measure of achievement.  

    Distribution of the provisional care plan or care plan

    A copy of the provisional care plan or care plan should be given to the child, parents, carers and persons considered to have a direct and significant interest in the wellbeing of the child as soon as practical after being prepared or modified.

    At times, providing a copy of the child's care plan (not a provisional care plan) to all parties involved may pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of the child or other persons.

    This may include circumstances where the care plan may identify or enable the identification of the location of an adult victim of family and domestic violence and/or child, for example, through their care arrangement, contact arrangements or school.

    In these instances, a copy of the care plan (not a provisional care plan) can be withheld from the person who poses the risk (s.89(7) of the Act), but they must be given written notice of the decision and the reasons for it (s.89(8) of the Act). Full procedural details can be found in Chapter 3.3 Care planning. 

    Top

    Reconsideration and review in relation to secure care arrangements

    A 'secure care decision' in relation to a secure care arrangement made by the CEO for a protected child can be 'reconsidered' following a written application to the CEO by:

    • the child

    • a parent of the child

    • the child's carer, or 

    • any person considered by the CEO to have a direct and significant interest in the wellbeing of the child (s.88G of the Act).


    A 'secure care decision' refers to:

    • a decision to make the secure care arrangement itself
    • a decision about the secure care period, and 
    • a decision to extend a secure care period.

    The CEO can delegate the request for a reconsideration of the secure care arrangement, a secure care period or extension to a secure care period, to ED level.  The reconsideration of the secure arrangement or secure care decision should be conducted by the ED who was not responsible for, or had direct input into, the secure care decisions. 

    The application should be in writing using Form SC5.1 Application for Reconsideration (also in related resources) setting out which secure care decision is to be reconsidered, and the grounds on which the reconsideration is being sought. 

    A reconsideration decision should be made as soon as practicable after receiving the application. The outcome of the reconsideration will be either to confirm, vary or reverse the secure care decision. You must promptly provide the applicant with written reasons for the decision.

    Reasons for decision should comply with the guidelines 'Giving Reasons for Decisions' published by the Ombudsman Western Australia (also in related resources).

    Obligations upon admission

    As soon as possible upon admission to a secure care facility, the protected child is given information about the reconsideration of a secure care decision, including how to apply. 

    At this point, the protected child is aided to access a legal representative or other advocate (such as the Advocate for Children in Care) if they wish to discuss making an application for reconsideration of the secure care arrangement.

    If requested, Secure Care staff can also help the protected child make a written application for reconsideration using Form SC5.1 Application for Reconsideration.  

    The application should indicate which of the decisions is to be reconsidered, and the grounds on which it is being sought.

    The application is forwarded by the Director Secure Care or Assistant Director Secure Care to the ED responsible for the reconsideration, along with all documentation relevant to the secure care decision if that meeting has already occurred.

    The ED completes the reconsideration within 24 hours or as soon as practical after receiving the application and gives the applicant written notice of his or her decision and the reasons for it.  The process of reconsideration and written notice of the decision should be expedited.

    The ED advises the Director Secure Care of the outcome of the reconsideration as soon as practical to enable Secure Care staff to take any recommended actions.  

    If an applicant is aggrieved by the outcome of the reconsideration, he or she may apply to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for a review of that decision. Applications must comply with the SAT requirements and young people will need assistance in accessing the relevant help and forms. Refer to the SAT website for further information.

    The Director Secure Care assists a child who wishes to apply to SAT for a review of the reconsideration decision.  This may involve accessing a legal representative or providing information about advocacy including the Advocate for Children in Care. 

    Top

    Temporary removal of children from Secure Care


    If a child is removed from the Secure Care facility on a temporary basis, their secure care arrangement is not impacted. Circumstances where a child may be temporarily removed from Secure Care include, but are not limited to:

    • Attendance at a funeral, including where an overnight stay is required.
    • Evacuation due to a natural disaster, such as a bushfire.
    • Medical treatment that is required at a hospital.
    • Where a child has left or removed themselves from the Secure Care facility.

    Top

    Exit and transition from a secure care facility

    Transition planning from a secure care facility to a longer-term care arrangement commences at admission and remains part of ongoing assessment, planning and review.  All exit and transition care planning, funding, services, referrals and actions should be documented and recorded as part of the secure care initial care planning meeting. 

    The district retains responsibility for the development and implementation of the child's transition plan. All stakeholders are involved in planning for the transition.

    You are responsible for the distribution of all case material to other parties involved in the child's transition plan from Secure Care.

    An exit planning meeting should be held within the last week before the child leaves the secure care facility. Continuity and support are provided through case management by the district after leaving and you should continue to attend meetings while the child is in Secure Care.

    Secure Care staff collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that the transition occurs as seamlessly as possible and may be involved with follow-up support as necessary and/or required.

    The child's personal property, which includes all personal belongings such as money or valuable items should be returned to them and signed for at the point of exiting the secure care facility.  

    For detailed information and instructions on children exiting and transiting from a secure care facility, please refer to the Secure Care Manual entry 3.6 Exit.

    Top