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Bringing your child home will be a journey. How long it takes depends on what is happening in your life and the work you do with the support of the caseworker.
Getting your child back home to you is the aim wherever this is safe. This is called restoration. The law requires DCJ to look at whether restoration is possible before looking at other long-term care options.
The caseworker needs to see you are making changes in your life and how these will make life safer for your child. What you need to change and how you will do it is written in your Family Action Plan for Change.
If the caseworker and their manager decide that restoration is possible, or the court orders restoration, the caseworker will complete a restoration assessment. This is after you have been working on your Family Action Plan for Change for three months.
A restoration assessment helps the caseworker decide the risk to your child if restoration occurs.
The court requires DCJ to write a care plan for your child that includes:
Restoration is an exciting and challenging time for families. Work with the caseworker to develop a strong Family Action Plan for Change to help prepare everyone for the changes they can expect, look at worries about your child’s safety, and keep up the positive changes you have made for your child.
It is hard to make big changes
Working to get your child back is hard and stressful. You may be starting a new life away from violence, trying to change your use of alcohol or drugs, or getting counselling. You may make big changes and then take a step backwards. This is normal. Do not be too hard on yourself. Speak openly and honestly and get back on track to make the changes your child needs.
Your child is going through a lot of change during this time, which can be upsetting, stressful or unsettling. How these changes affect them depends on their age and what they have been through in the past. Your child may be feeling:
Speak to the caseworker about what your child may be feeling and how you can work with the caseworker and your child’s carer to make them feel loved, supported and less worried. Ask about your child’s routine, involvement with services, activities they like to do outside school and if they have a behaviour management plan. This will help your child feel safe and settled as quickly as possible.
As you work through your Family Action Plan for Change, you will have to manage:
There may be meetings, courses, court hearings and counselling to go to. Grief and shame are normal too. As difficult as it is, try to stay hopeful. Stay motivated by your love for your child.
If you are losing hope or having trouble meeting the goals in your Family Action Plan for Change, speak honestly with the caseworker or ask to speak with their manager. The goals in your plan should never feel completely out of your reach. They should be realistic and well suited to what your child needs to be safe.
Every plan has a review date. If you think you will not be able to make the changes listed on your plan by that date, speak to the caseworker.
As change happens and life becomes safer, your child may be able to spend time with you in your home. It could be a day, overnight or even for a weekend.
You need this time together to build the trust and safety your child needs in their life if they are to come home.
When you and the caseworker think you are ready for your child to come home, you will need to make this clear to the Children’s Court if the magistrate has not already ordered restoration. The court will look at what the caseworker says about the changes you have made, what you say about the changes you have made and what your child says about where they want to live. The court may also have asked an independent person to complete an assessment.
If the court agrees your child should come home, they will likely make a supervision order. This means your child lives with you but the caseworker still works with your family and reports your progress to the court.
You will complete a new Family Action Plan for Change with the caseworker. This is crucial at this time and will include requirements set out by the court. You will need to stick to the goals your family and caseworker have made.
Your child has been through a lot. It can be exciting for everyone when your child is back with you and the home feels safe and full of hope. But it can be challenging too.
Many children deeply connect with their carer family and new friends. If they have been in care for a while, they may have started social activities and classes. It is important to step into your child’s shoes to see changes through their eyes. They may be worried about coming home because the last time they lived with you, home was not as safe as it needed to be.
Ask your child what will make them feel safe and happy now that they are home. Let them know it is okay to have lots of different feelings and miss things about the life they had while they were away from home.
They may want to stay in touch or spend time with their carer family and new friends, or stay on with activities. Try to do this. If the cost, travel or time for activities is a challenge, speak to the caseworker about getting some help.
This change is big for your child. They are coming back to a home that is different because of the changes you have made. It is normal for them to behave differently or test out the new routines or boundaries that you have put in place.
Life changes like coming home from care can impact a child’s mental health. If your child is feeling sad, has no interest in doing things, is quick to get angry or upset such as crying a lot and you don’t know why, is using alcohol or drugs or is having negative thoughts, speak to the caseworker, a support worker or call the Parent Line on 1300 1300 52.
27 May 2024