Child enters customer's care/custody 102-05050010

Evidence provided

Outcome

Court orders

Court orders are a formal change in care, care arrangements can be assessed with a court order as evidence.

Formal letter from foster agency

Formal letters from a child protection agency or foster care agency are a formal change in care, no further evidence is required to complete the change of care. Letters must be on letterhead, include the child’s name, the new carers name and the date the care placement started.

Informal letter from foster agency

Informal letters from a foster care agency can support a change in care with further evidence or advise the care is not a change but temporary care (e.g., respite care).

If the informal change in care is temporary care (28 days or less and the child has not been forcibly removed), see Child leaves customer’s care/custody.

Informal change in care and co-signed/not co-signed FA012 only (no additional evidence)

Additional evidence is required to support the care arrangement and confirm there has been a change in care when the gaining carer is a grandparent, relative or friend and there is no court order or formal foster carer letter

Where evidence is not provided, the care decision should be rejected.

Informal change in care and co-signed FA012 plus documentation provided

Where the Service Officer is satisfied the evidence provided supports the change of care, the care decision can be made.

If the Service Officer is unsure if a change of care has occurred, they can request further evidence. If Service Officers are still unable to confirm if a change of care has occurred after further evidence has been provided, the care decision should be rejected and clearly documented.

Informal change and the losing carer advised verbally (no documentation)

Additional evidence is required to support the care arrangement and confirm there has been a change in care when:

• the gaining carer is a grandparent, relative or friend, and
• there is no court order or formal foster carer letter

Where evidence is not provided, the care decision should be rejected.