Differential Response Information for Community Service Providers
Contents Working together for children, young people and families…….….….......... 3 Where our community service providers can support families in differential response……………………………………………………………. 4 How Child, Youth and Family will work differently…………………………... 7 Strengths based principles and safety organised practice elements……… 8 Practice tools and resources…………………………………………………... 10 Child and Family Consult……………………………………………….. 11 Young Person and Family Consult……………………………………. 12 Assessment Framework………………………………………………... 13 Three Houses……………………………………………………………. 14 Vulnerable Infant Triggers……………………………………………… 15 Information sheet for families………………………………………………….. 16 Referral forms…………………………………………………………………… 18 Child, Youth and Family Partnered Response Referral…………….. 19 Strengthening Families Referral……………………………………….. 22
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
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Working together for children, young people and families Our work is about making a positive difference in the lives of children, young people and their families. Differential response is opening up new ways of doing this. It gives us the chance to support families in the way that’s right for them, recognising they have different circumstances and levels of need. As you may have heard, you play an important role in this process. By working together we can reach families earlier, and put the right supports around them to prevent more serious problems happening down the track. To achieve this for families we are introducing flexibility so that the right service is able to respond. This will mean that more families are connected with the organisation that can best meet their needs. While there will be times a child or young person’s circumstances require an investigative response, for many families a less intrusive, more collaborative process would be more responsive to their needs. For these families differential response introduces a child and family assessment, and a formal pathway of referral to service providers within their community. Differential response is still relatively new, yet we already have strong support and participation from many community based service providers in the areas where it is operating. This shows a real willingness to work in a different way, pooling our expertise and coordinating our involvement with families to help them to be safe, strong and thrive. Where to from here
Differential response will be up and running at all Child, Youth and Family sites from the middle of 2009. We are working with communities along the way to identify the best way of connecting services and supporting families. Once fully implemented we believe: •
families will receive services earlier and in a more co-ordinated way
•
more families will be supported through the child and family assessment, meaning fewer unnecessary investigations
•
earlier intervention will mean families will be supported to care safely for their children, and less likely to need our services in the future.
Information for you
In this pack we have provided you with an overview of differential response and how it works – in particular how we will work more closely with service providers in the community, and some of the resources we will use. For further copies of this information pack, contact your local Child, Youth and Family Site Manager:
_______________________________________
_________________
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Where our community service providers can support families in differential response Differential response provides us with the opportunity to respond more creatively to families and to work more closely with service providers in the community. Service providers include local community groups, iwi and government agencies providing services and supports for families. We are working with these groups to support families that don’t need our further involvement but would benefit from, community based social services. We want to make sure that the referral process is clear and simple and that as a service provider you know that we are there to support you. There are two parts to our connecting families and services: ‘refer to service’, from the Contact Centre and ‘partnered response’ through a site office. Refer to service
This option involves a referral to services direct from the Contact Centre. It is for families that can engage with service providers without needing local Child, Youth and Family involvement. This will likely be where the person making the report of concern to Child, Youth and Family is a professional or family member. Following an initial assessment at the Contact Centre, the family/whanāu is referred to a local Strengthening Families co-ordinator and looked after through the normal Strengthening Families process. This approach keeps the family/whanāu safe and connected with those who are best placed to support them. Partnered response
Partnered response is used where the family needs services rather than a formal Child, Youth and Family response. Families can be referred to partnered response through the site based on the Contact Centre assessment, or as a result of an assessment or investigation at the site. Where the family’s needs are best met by a single organisation, the Child, Youth and Family differential response co-ordinator links them with that organisation and follows up to track progress. Where more than one organisation needs to be or is already involved, the differential response co-ordinator brings them together with the family to share their knowledge and expertise and to develop a plan. The co-ordinator and the organisations keep in regular contact to oversee the family’s progress and consider any other services or support that might be needed. The family will be linked into the Strengthening Families process where this is appropriate. Families supported through partnered response can be referred back to Child, Youth and Family at any time, for example if serious issues that could affect the wellbeing of the child or children are identified. Differential response coordinators
We have introduced differential response coordinators at each site. They help coordinate local services, manage the referral process with service providers, and work with them to make sure they are supported and families are doing well. By working more closely together we will: • provide an earlier opportunity to respond to the needs of families
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
• • • • •
provide flexible responses as a family’s needs and circumstances change help develop comprehensive relationships between us and community service providers around each site get a clearer picture about what services are available in each community provide a more structured way to share information share ongoing learning and training opportunities.
Working with local community service providers
Each site is establishing their own referral processes with local community service providers to assist in connecting families to the right services and ensure those services are provided in a coordinated way. Child, Youth and Family and community service providers are working together to agree the makeup and structure of any group and processes established to facilitate local differential response referrals. Each group will be made up of local service providers including the Strengthening Families Coordinator and will reflect the local community. The differential response coordinator plays an integral part in these processes. The local differential response groups are being used to advise on: • the most appropriate services • the availability of services and capacity of service providers • whether service coordination is needed and if so, how this might be done e.g. when the Strengthening Families process is appropriate • alternative options should a family/whānau not engage or a different sort of service is needed. Identifying families who might benefit from services
We have provided our social workers with new practice resources to help them make decisions about the best response for a family. A new leaflet for families has also been developed and is included in this pack. There are different points in our early involvement with families where a referral for services may be the best response. For some families, it is clear they would benefit from community services working with them when we are first notified about them. As soon as the safety of the child or young person has been confirmed and the needs of the family/whānau have been identified, the national contact centre is directly connecting some families with their local Strengthening Families process, which then coordinates services for the family. Other families may be identified once social workers at a site have completed a fuller assessment and considered that the best response is for community service providers to work with the family/whanāu. For these families, our differential response coordinator will facilitate connecting services with them using the locally developed processes to manage this. One or more community service providers may be needed depending on the family’s needs and service availability. Referral information
Prior to making a referral we will obtain the agreement of the family/whānau to being referred on to service providers. The referral will include information like:
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• • • • • • •
family/whānau details and their situation the identified needs of the child, young person and parents or caregivers the suggested service/s for addressing those needs where appropriate the family’s view of the situation family strengths that will contribute to achieving outcomes a brief summary of relevant family/whānau history whether any other service providers are involved with the family/whānau.
A referral form has been developed to help standardise our provision of information to providers and is included in the pack. Family progress
We will be asking for some basic information to help us know that families are connecting with services that will help them. This will include their engagement, the services provided, advice if the plan is changed or unable to be completed and an update on progress. This will help us all know that families are not falling through gaps and that what we are doing is working for them. Supporting Differential Response
Differential response offers you the opportunity to work alongside us to support families and help provide co-ordinated supports and services. We recognise different groups have different levels of capacity and invite you to be involved in the way that best suits your organisation. So far, a variety of different organisations have become involved. Some are part of national organisations, while others have a purely local focus. Connecting back
The new DR coordinator role means you will have ready access to someone locally you can talk with if you have any queries or want to talk something through. The contact details for the differential response coordinator is:
_______________________________________
_________________
If you have concerns along the way about the immediate safety of a child or young person, please call the contact centre on 0508 FAMILY as you would normally do.
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
How Child, Youth and Family will work differently When we have assessed that Child, Youth and Family needs to be involved with a family, we are doing some things differently. The major change is that Child, Youth and Family now has the option of completing a child and family assessment with a family, rather than conducting the traditional investigation. Investigations will be reserved for those situations where a forensically focused process is required. This means that families will receive an assessment focused on understanding their needs along with their strengths and resources. The majority of child and family assessments will be carried out by Child, Youth and Family social workers. Where specialist knowledge will best assist our understanding and response to families in areas such as family violence, disabilities and cultural responsiveness, we will seek this specialist expertise from our community service providers. To support our work with families we have developed new practice resources which our social workers will use. These resources are designed to strengthen decision making, support quality social work and strengthen our engagement with family members and children. The practice resources support social workers to encourage the voice of children and families to be heard and to develop relationships with families. The resources are based on strengths based practice principles and elements and they are included in this pack for your information.
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Strengths based principles and safety organised practice elements The strengths based principles and safety organised practice elements are used to guide social workers’ decision making and planning. The approach promotes the careful assessment of risks and considers the ideas, competencies, existing safety and goals of the family. These are included here for your information.
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Strengths Based Principles
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Safety Organised Practice Elements
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
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Practice tools and resources We’ve enclosed the practice tools and resources we’ve developed that help our staff make quality decisions and improve their interaction with families and community providers. These practice tools will be used by Child, Youth and Family social workers when they are carrying out a child and family assessment or investigation with a family. There may be times that you are provided with the information contained in these tools or the social workers talk about the tools they have used with the family. We wanted to provide you with copies of them so you are familiar with what they look like. The vulnerable infant practice triggers are used by social workers and supervisors at the point of intake and in all child and family assessments and investigations that include a child aged under five years of age. The triggers heighten a focus on the safety and wellbeing of this vulnerable group. They are used to guide decision making and to assist case planning, and are included here for your information. ◄
Child and Family Consult
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Young Person and Family Consult
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Assessment Framework
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Three Houses
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Vulnerable Infant Triggers
All these tools and resources are supported by the Child, Youth and Family Practice Frameworks.
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
Child and Family Consult
This consultation tool was developed by Olmsted County Child and Family Services, Minnesota adapted from the Signs of Safety assessment and planning framework 01 April 2008.
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
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2
Safety or protection required
1
3
4
5
Complicating factors
6
7
8
9
1 0 Enough safety to close
(Immediate progress)
Next steps
Describe any health and education needs of the child/young person. Consider the needs of the under fives
Partnering: Action with family in their position: willingness, confidence and capacity to change
Purpose of consult
Relevant practice triggers
Strengths/Protective factors
Needs
Risk statements
Grey areas
Danger/Harm Describe strengths demonstrated over time (pattern/history of exceptions)
Safety
Phase of work:
Age:
Likelihood of maltreatment (past/present/future)
Genogram/ecomap
Ethnicity:
Name:
Young Person and Family Consult
This consultation tool was developed by Olmsted County Child and Family Services, Minnesota adapted from the Signs of Safety assessment and planning framework 01 April 2008.
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
2
2
Safety or wellbeing required
1
Change in behaviour required
1
3
3
4
4
5
5
6
6
Complicating factors
7
7
8
9
1 0
8
1 0 Safety or wellbeing addressed
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Change in behaviour achieved
(Immediate progress)
Next steps
Describe any health and education needs of the young person
Partnering: Action with family in their position: willingness, confidence and capacity to change
Purpose of consult
Relevant practice triggers
Strengths/Protective factors
Needs
Risk statements
Grey areas
Danger/Harm Describe strengths demonstrated over time (pattern/history of exceptions)
Safety
Phase of work:
Age:
Describe the potential harm to the young person
Genogram/ecomap
Ethnicity:
Name:
aSSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
Resiliency
Health
Parenting skills and knowledge
Education
Ensuring safety
Vulnerability
Chil d/y oung
Family and social/peer relationships
Attachment/bonding y acit Cap ing ent Par
Identity
per son’ s ne ed
Emotional and behavioural development
Willingness and capacity
Safety permanency Wellbeing
Factors impacting on safe parenting Guidance and supervision
- and Environmental Factors Family/whanau
Community resources
Finances/employment/housing
Social and community supports
Culture
Extended family/whänau
Family history and functioning
Adapted from the UK Common Assessment Framework
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Hopes & dreams Strengths Worries
THREE HOUSES Draft OCSW 01 April 2008, attributed to Weld & Greening 2003.
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
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Information sheet for families One of the resources developed for our staff to support their interactions with families is this information sheet. The information sheet is being given to families during our conversations with them about services in the community that can best support them. ◄
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Supporting you and your family/whanāu through Partnered Response
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
Supporting you and your family/whanāu through Partnered Response Sometimes you and your family go through difficulties that would be a lot easier to deal with if you had the right help. There are lots of organisations in the community who work with families, helping in areas such as parenting support and budget advice. We can help you to link up with these services and if you are already working with an agency we can help in making sure we’re all working together to support you and your family. We call this our partnered response. We will talk with you about which groups in the community might work with you and what information we need to share so that we can be sure you get the services you need. We wont be directly involved with your family once a plan has been developed that shows who’s doing what to support you. We will be asking the community service who will be making sure you get the services you need to let us know this as we want to be sure that you and your family are getting the services that will help you. If you decide you don’t want to carry on working with the agency we will talk with you about other options. More information We’re here to help, so please call us if you’d like more information or to talk this through. Phone 0508 326 459 and ask to be put in touch with the differential response co-ordinator in your area.
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Referral forms We’ve developed a form to standardise the way we provide you with information about the families you are involved in helping. Our staff are talking with families, explaining how they will be supported and seeking their agreement to being connected to services. Following discussion with you and your agreement to provide a service to them, we are providing you with the referral on the form included here. There are also some families for whom the Strengthening Families process has been identified as the best response to support them. If you are one of the services already working with a family or are identified to assist them, your local Strengthening Families Coordinator will also provide you with the key information on their referral form. Both referral forms are provided here:
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Child, Youth and Family Partnered Response Referral
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Strengthening Families Referral
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
Partnered Response Referral Date of Referral: Provider: Referring CYF Office: CYF DR Coordinator: Contact Number: Contact Email: Contact Fax:
Details of Children / Young Persons: Capture the details of all children and young persons who will be participating in the services.
Name
DOB
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Family/Whanau Members to Participate in Services Enter the details of all other family members who will be involved with the services/provider, noting their relationship to the children and young persons in the family.
Name
DOB
Gender
Relationship to Children
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Family Contact Details Family Address Family Home Number: Alternative Contact Number:
Reason for Referral Summarise the rationale for the PR response decision and reasons for selecting the provider if applicable
Nature of Concern Briefly describe the report of concern initiating the PR response
Summary of Current Situation and Relevant History Briefly describe the family’s circumstances, and any past CYF history and service provision history that is relevant to the current situation
Family/Whanau View of Situation and Partnered Response Referral Briefly describe the family’s views and comments on the situation and concerns and their response to the PR process and service options
Family/whanau Strengths that will contribute to Achieving Outcomes Describe any family strengths identified that will assist with service provision
Other Agency Involvement Capture all agencies, including school, public nurse, other government agencies and non government organisations working with the family
Child, Youth and Family – Partnered Response Referral
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
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Needs Identified Need
Family/Whanau Members
Comments Note any additional information relevant to the needs assessment, including any needs that may be relevant but are being addressed by another agency
Provider Relationship Expectations The following expectations have been discussed and agreed with the Provider: The Provider will: •
Confirm with the DR Coordinator that family engagement has occurred,
•
Address the needs and concerns identified jointly by the family and CYF and noted in this referral,
•
Provide a brief, verbal or written progress update every 3 months when contacted by the DR Coordinator,
•
Contact the DR Coordinator if the family disengages from services, or if additional needs or concerns are identified,
•
Advise the CYF Contact Centre if new concerns of a serious nature are identified.
Child, Youth and Family – Partnered Response Referral
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
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Referral Form NB: This form is to be completed by the referrer with the family/whānau. The consent form must accompany this request form. Strengthening Families is a voluntary early intervention/prevention initiative. The Strengthening Families process is appropriate if: •
a Strengthening Families approach will provide added value to family’s desired outcomes, and is in the best interests of the child, young person or family/whānau
•
the child, young person or family/whānau has multiple needs that would benefit from coordinated support, but do not require a statutory response or intensive intervention
•
more than one agency is already involved (or should be involved) with the child, or young person and their family/whānau, and the current level of involvement has not provided all the services required.
Referrer’s contact details Referrer’s name:
Signature:
Relationship:
Address:
Supervisor/manager:
Date:
Agency:
Contact phone:
Email:
Fax:
Entry criteria met?
YES
NO
Consent has been given by family/whānau?
YES
NO
Is this a national coordination referral?
YES
NO
SF ref no:
Family/whānau contact details Family/whānau surname(s):
Phone number:
Address:
1 Referral Form May 2008, A3347278 A
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Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
Children/tamariki and young people/rangatahi in the family/whānau Full Name (Family name then first name)
Age
School
Date of Birth
Gender Ethnicity (Please M/F use the 1 Codes)
Address (if different from above)
Iwi (as appropriate)
Parents/caregivers and whānau members Full Name (Family name then first name)
Ethnicity (Please use the Codes)
Iwi (as appropriate)
Relationship to children/tamariki
Address (if different from above)
1 1
Ethnicity Codes: NZE=NZ European / Pākehā; M=Maori; S=Samoan; CIM=Cook Island Maori; T=Tongan; N=Niuean; I=Indian; Ch=Chinese; Other = please state.
2 Referral Form May 2008, A3347278 A
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1. What is the family’s current situation?
2. What are the family’s current concerns? Education and skills • Parenting/child management • Alternative schooling needs • Child/young person’s literacy or numeracy • Parent/caregiver’s literacy or numeracy • Behaviour at school • Truancy • Stand down/suspension • School exclusion • Other Health • Child/young person’s physical health/disability • Parent/caregiver’s physical health/disability • Child/young person’s mental health • Caregiver’s mental health • Intellectual impairment • Drug and alcohol abuse • Gambling problem • Other
3.
√
Economic situation / housing • Financial situation/budget management • Housing issues • Benefit entitlement • Employment situation • Other Social connectedness • Isolation from community • Isolation from other family members • Isolation from peers √ • Telephone access • Transport access • Other Safety • Child/young person’s behaviour • Child/young person’s offending • Family violence • Effects of prior abuse or neglect • Other
√
√
What does the family/whānau want to achieve from the Strengthening Families process? (Please list desired outcomes)
4. What strengths does the family/whānau bring to help them achieve their outcomes?
3 Referral Form May 2008, A3347278 A
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√
Differential Response Information for Community Services Providers: April 2009
5. What resources are required to assist them achieve their outcomes?
6. Does the family/whānau have any suggestions or requests regarding the meeting? (For example: preferred times, date, venue, language/disability, cultural considerations)
Are there any other comments you wish to make?
Please list agencies to be invited to the Strengthening Families meeting: Agency
Contact name
Contact details (inc. email)
Please send this form to your local Strengthening Families coordinator Name: Agency:
Address:
Email:
Phone/Fax
4 Referral Form May 2008, A3347278 A
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