RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHILD
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHILD
Primary responsibility for the care of the child and the child's belongings, subject to any contrary order rests with the parents rather than the service.
Unless there are safety issues or other issues to the contrary, the person dropping the child off should normally remain to care for the child until the visiting parent arrives to take responsibility for the child. Conversely, Staff will support the child if it is necessary for the parent dropping the child off to leave the premises before the other parent arrives.
Prior to supervision occurring, agreement will be reached with parent/s as to who will take responsibility for ensuring that things necessary for visits are available: such as food, medication, clothing, car restraints, toys and play equipment, and the packing up and return of said items. These matters will always be clearly noted on the case file in order to minimise and manage any additional parental conflict.
INITIAL FAMILIARISATION/ORIENTATION FOR THE CHILD
Peace of Mind aims to ensure, as a rule rather than an exception, that each child has the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the service, its staff and processes prior to any changeover or supervised visit being facilitated. Peace of Mind may use this session to assess the child’s ability to separate from their primary caregiver and develop an understanding of what the child’s feelings, concerns and needs are.
The proposed arrangements are to be suspended if it becomes apparent, during the course of the child’s familiarisation, that the child is not ready or able to proceed with the proposed arrangements. Peace of Mind may determine to schedule another familiarisation session, refer to another support service or consult with the Independent Children’s Lawyer (if one has been appointed).
Peace of Mind aim to regularly communicate with both parents regarding service provision progress and the child’s needs throughout this process.
PARENT/CHILD INTERACTION
Peace of Mind will aim to facilitate positive parent/child interaction during visits. This is not to say that Peace of Mind is actively or tacitly advocating visits - that is a decision for others such as the courts.
Peace of Mind will support the child/parent relationship in cases where it is assessed that independent management of arrangements are a realistic goal of the parties, and for the benefit of the child. Facilitation of meaningful interaction in other instances, such as where independent management may not be a viable long term goal, however, may still be advocated in order to ensure that the child benefits as much as possible from the relationship as it exists.
