Social worker's role regarding Youth Protective Assessments 003-12030030

Children and young people under 18 years of age are referred to a social worker in a number of circumstances, including when:

• they are unsupported and under 16 years
• they are otherwise at risk, and/or
• they are under 18 years and need an unreasonable to live at home (UTLAH) assessment to determine if they are independent for income support purposes

As part of an assessment of the young person's circumstances, assess whether the young person is at risk or needs additional support in relation to:

• safety and wellbeing
• financial support
• education and employment
• social and community supports

Note: if the young person is unsupported, offer a more intensive intervention. See Social casework.

Go to Step 2.

Referral reasons may include:

• the young person is under 15 years of age and is homeless or unsupported
• the young person is aged 15 to 17 years (inclusive) and is considered to be at risk of abuse, serious harm or violence, or
• the young person is under 18 years of age and:
• is in the guardianship, care or custody of a State/Territory Welfare Authority, and
• advises they are not being adequately supported

The social worker should also consider any risk to siblings under 18 years who have remained in the parental home.

Note: young people under 15 years of age who have advised the agency it is UTLAH are considered homeless and unsupported regardless of their current living circumstances. A youth protective assessment is required for these customers.

Does the young person or their sibling(s) meet one of these categories, or are they otherwise at risk?

• Yes, go to Step 3
• No, go to Step 6

Does the young person consent to a referral to the State or Territory Welfare Authority?

• Yes, go to Step 4
• No, or the risk is to others such as siblings, go to Step 5

Refer the young person to the appropriate State/Territory Welfare Authority for an assessment of the:

• risk of harm in both their parental/guardian home situation and their current accommodation
• level of support able to be provided to them by the State/Territory Welfare Authority

The referral can be undertaken by:

• phone, or online via approved portals, see the Resources page in Referral to external support services for a list of child safety reporting arrangements for each state and territory, and/or
• sending a 'Youth Protective Assessment - Referral to State/Territory Welfare Authority' (SU226) form to the relevant State/Territory Welfare Authority, then
• scan the SU226 to the customer’s record, and
• manually mark it as a Medical Information File Envelope (MIFE)
• issuing a 'Youth Protocol Assessment - Advice to the Australian Government Services Australia' (SU227) form to the authority, if this will help

See Resources for a link to forms.

Answer any questions the customer has about the protective assessment to be conducted by the Welfare Authority.

Note: there is no need to complete the 'Public Interest Release of Information' form if the customer gives their consent to release their information to the relevant State/Territory Welfare Authority.

Go to Step 6.

The approval of a delegated officer is needed to release information about the young person, or others, to the appropriate State/Territory Welfare Authority in the public interest. See Risk identification and management of threats to the safety or welfare of a child.

Note: the Services Australia Public Interest Release of Information form must be completed in these circumstances.

Go to Step 6.

If a young person aged under 15 years has been referred for a Youth Protective Assessment social workers must consult regularly with both their EL1 Social Work Support Manager and an EL2 Social Work Manager.

The consultation process must be ongoing throughout the UTLAH assessment and start as soon as possible after the referral for a Youth Protective Assessment/Release in the Public Interest has been made.

If a young person is aged 15 years and over undelegated social workers must consult regularly with an EL1 Social Work Support Manager. Delegated social workers are encouraged to consult with their Social Work Support Manager as needed, particularly in complex cases.

Does the young person need a social work UTLAH assessment?

• Yes:
• for customers aged 15 years or under, refer them to a local social worker or start assessment of UTLAH
• for customers aged 16 or 17 years, make sure a social work UTLAH appointment is booked, or start assessment of UTLAH
• help the customer to claim Special Benefit (SpB), Youth Allowance (YA), ABSTUDY or Disability Support Pension (DSP) if needed
• tell them a claim for payment with independent status (UTLAH) cannot be fully assessed until the completion of an assessment for UTLAH
• see Table 2
• No, see Table 2

Contact the State/Territory Welfare Authority within 5 working days from the date of referral. Determine the extent of the protection and support the young person will get or is getting.

A UTLAH assessment for the young person (if applicable) should not be delayed if there is no response from the relevant authority within a reasonable time frame:

• An unreasonable delay in finalising a claim for social security may pose a risk to an unsupported young person
• A 'reasonable' timeframe is at the social worker's discretion, taking into account all of the factors of a case
• Social Workers must consult with an EL1 Social Work Support Manager where an unreasonable delay is affecting a UTLAH assessment decision

When advice from the authority is received, determine the young person's:

• living situation, and
• level of support provided by the State/Territory Welfare Authority

Does the response address the risk issues identified and provide adequate support?

• Yes, help the customer progress their claim if needed. Procedure ends here
• No, go to Step 3

Social Workers must consult with an EL2 Social Work Manager to decide the next steps for providing the customer with support and deciding UTLAH eligibility if needed.

A case discussion should be held between the social worker and the State/Territory Welfare Authority worker to plan ongoing financial and support services for the young person for a period of up to 3 months.

The Youth Protective Assessment - Case Discussion (SU228) form may be used for this purpose. See Resources for a link to the form.