Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content

Skip Navigation LinksProcedure

3.1.9 Insurance for foster carers

Last Modified: 22-Feb-2024 Review Date: 05-Apr-2021

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Legislation

Overview

To inform child protection workers of the insurance covers provided by the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA) for the Department's general, family or significant other foster carers and voluntary foster carers engaged by Out-of-Home Care providers who provide care in their home for a child in the CEO's care.

It guides child protection workers in the process of making an insurance claim through ICWA. 

Note: The term CEO refers to the Department of Communities' Chief Executive Officer, and care arrangement refers to child placement.

Rules

  • Child protection workers should advise foster carers of the parameters of the Department's insurance coverage (refer to ‘ICWA policy” below).

  • You are required to forward all insurance claims to Client Support Services in head office within 30 days of the date of an incident.

  • If there is an immediate security or safety risk to the home (such as damaged glass or broken external door), carers (Department Out-of-Home Care Providers) should notify the case manager immediately and arrange for the damage to be repaired as soon as possible.

  • Insurance claims under $250 are paid through Case Support Costs. Child protection workers and Out-of-Home Care Providers should be aware that if any insurance claim is considered to be a result of criminal activity or damage, the Western Australia Police Force should be notified.

Process Maps

Not applicable

Information and Instructions

  • Insurance Commission of Western Australia Cover
  • Notification of the incident
  • Responsibility of the child protection worker
  • Completing an insurance claim form
  • Quality assurance and assessment of the insurance claim
  • Where an insurance claim will not be paid
  • Cover Clarification Advice
  • Insurance Commission of Western Australia Cover

    Department carers (general carers, family and significant other carers who are volunteers.

    The ICWA cover includes any event that has resulted from specific incidents (defined events) caused by the actions of a child in the CEO's care placed by the Department.  General wear and tear is defined as damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal use or aging, and is not included as part of this cover.

    The following categories are an overview of insurance cover:

    Property

    Includes property of every description (excluding motor vehicles and their accessories) owned by or in the care, custody and control of the foster carer that is lost or damaged as the result of fire, wilful or malicious acts, theft or attempted theft, vandalism or accidental damage caused by a child in the CEO’s care or the child’s natural family. This does not include property of the non-government organisation.

    General liability

    Includes the legal liability of the foster carer as a result of an occurrence caused by a child in the CEO’s care or the child’s natural family.

    Professional Indemnity

    Includes any claim made against the foster carer arising from any negligent act, error or omission committed or alleged to have been committed in respect of a child in the CEO’s care whilst the child is placed with the foster carer and notified to ICWA.

    Motor vehicles

    Includes motor vehicles and their accessories owned by, or in the care, custody or control of the foster carer, lost or damaged as the result of fire, wilful or malicious acts, theft or attempted theft, vandalism or accidental damage caused by a child in the CEO’s care or the child’s natural family.

    This includes the legal liability of the foster carer as a result of an accident arising out of the use of the motor vehicle and caused by the child or child’s natural family.

    Travel insurance 

    For information on travel insurance refer to 3.2 Interstate and overseas travel.

    Personal accident

    Includes any bodily injury sustained by a foster carer that resulted directly from caring for a child in the CEO’s care whilst the child was placed with them.

    This includes illness directly resulting from medical or surgical treatment rendered necessary by the injury within twelve calendar months from the date of the accident when the bodily injury occurred.

    Community Sector Organisations (CSO) and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) Carers who are volunteers

    Property

    Includes property of every description (excluding motor vehicles and their accessories) owned by or in the care, custody and control of the foster carer that is lost or damaged as the result of fire, wilful or malicious acts, theft or attempted theft, vandalism or accidental damage caused by a child in the CEO's care or the child's natural family. 

    Motor vehicles

    Includes motor vehicles and their accessories owned by, or in the care, custody or control of the foster carer, lost or damaged as the result of fire, wilful or malicious acts, theft or attempted theft, vandalism or accidental damage caused by a child in the CEO's care or the child's natural family.

    This includes the legal liability of the foster carer as a result of an accident arising out of the use of the motor vehicle and caused by the child or child's natural family.

    CSO's and ACCO's are responsible for arranging General Liability, Professional Indemnity, Travel Insurance and Personal Accident Covers.

    Top

    Notification of the incident

    Department approved carers need to inform the  child protection worker about the details immediately following an incident,  that may result in an insurance claim.  CSO and ACCO foster carers need to inform the relevant placement agency. The CSO/ACCO placement agency needs to advise the relevant child protection worker about the details of the incident in writing when informed of the incident. 

    You should advise the foster carer that the Department is not responsible for arranging for quotes and/or repairs. The foster carer should advise the repairer when arranging the quote that the incident will be an insurance claim through ICWA, and ask that the quote be made out in the foster carer's name.   

    The carer or CSO/ACCO should obtain three quotes for the damage and/or repairs.  Quotes may include brochures giving the purchase price of a comparable item. The foster carer or CSO/ACCO should retain the receipts if immediate repair and/or replacement is necessary. Where possible ask the carer to take photographs of the damage. Any damaged items should be retained until the child protection worker has visited and insurance claim forms have been completed.

    Top

    Responsibility of the child protection worker

    You are required to view any damage, ascertain the facts of the incident and implement strategies so that re-occurrence of such incidents is minimised. 

    You need to determine whether an Incident Notification is required. Refer to Chapter 4.2 Notification of death, serious injury or critical incident.

    Top

    Completing an insurance claim form

    Insurance claim forms are available via e-mail from Client Support Services at css@cpfs.wa.gov.au. Insurance claim forms should be printed as required, as forms are updated from time to time.

    You need to complete the insurance claim form, providing full details of the incident and the full name, address and date of birth of the primary foster carer.  Details of the child, including name, identification, date of birth and the dates of the care arrangement with the foster carer should be attached to the insurance claim form. All sections of the insurance claim form should be completed in full.

    You have the authority to sign the form. A separate insurance claim is required for each incident if more than one incident occurred within a short timeframe.

    You need to forward the completed insurance claim form and any quotes or receipts to the Coordinator Client Support Services at css@cpfs.wa.gov.au for quality assurance of the claim and liaison with ICWA. You should forward the insurance claim within 30 days of the date of the incident.

    Top

    Quality assurance and assessment of the insurance claim

    Client Support Services check that the documentation is complete and strategies are in place to meet duty of care requirements and avoid further insurance claims.

    Client Support Services forward the insurance claim form and all documentation to ICWA for their assessment of liability under the cover provided to the Department.  Any forms sent directly to ICWA by a foster carer, child protection worker or Out-of-Home Care Provider will be returned to Client Support Services for quality assurance.

    The ICWA assess the insurance claim using the parameters of a commercial insurance provider and will deal directly with the foster carer. You should inform the foster carer or Out-of-Home Care Provider that insurance claims are subject to the insurer's assessment and payment will not necessarily be paid at a new for old rate.  The time taken to assess the insurance claim will depend on the claim itself and the insurer’s workload.

    Top

    Where an insurance claim will not be paid

    If ICWA assess that the claim will not be paid, they will liaise with the Coordinator Client Support Services who will, in turn, inform the Department carer or relevant CSO/ACCO. Child protection workers will receive copies of any correspondence.

    Top

    Cover Clarification Advice

    If clarification on insurance covers provided by ICWA is required email:  insurance@communities.wa.gov.au with your query.

    Top