Family reunification orders and an alcohol or drug treatment condition for parents

Introduction

Parents whose children are subject to a family reunification order, with a condition the parent attend AOD treatment receive prioritised assessment and treatment from specified AOD services under their funding agreement.

The funding initiative is only available to parents whose child is subject to a family reunification order and an AOD condition is attached. Therefore parents whose child(ren) are subject to other protection orders, or a family reunification order with no AOD condition, are not eligible for prioritised service through this funding initiative.

See AOD treatment initiative for family reunification (pdf, 425.76 KB) for further information and contact details for the specified AOD intake and service providers.

Procedure

Case practitioner tasks

• Discuss the initiative with parents who require AOD treatment to address protective concerns, on a condition of a family reunification order, and advise the parent(s) their details will be provided to the AOD intake service.
• Include parental agreement in the AOD condition attached to the order; with wording to the following effect:

“[Insert parent’s name] must engage in drug and alcohol assessment and treatment as directed by/agreed with DHHS, and allow reports to be provided to DHHS. For the purposes of making a referral, DHHS will provide [insert parent’s name] contact details to a drug and alcohol intake provider to enable service provision”.

• If a family reunification order includes a condition requiring a parent to access AOD treatment, refer the parent to the local area AOD intake service as soon as possible and within 7 days after the Children’s Court issues the order. Refer to AOD treatment initiative for family reunification (pdf, 425.76 KB) for contact details of AOD intake services.
• Provide the AOD intake service the parents contact details and AOD related information, your contact details and a copy of the court order and conditions if required to evidence the AOD condition, see Sending emails securely.
• Record the referral to the AOD service in the ‘Referral tab’ in CRIS.
• Maintain contact with the AOD service identified to provide treatment to the parent to understand the treatment plan and efficacy of the treatment for the parent.
• Record information about the treatment plan and progress of the parent in CRIS as case notes, in the actions table and court reports, as required.

Supervisor tasks

• Provide ongoing supervision and consultation.

Team manager / practice leader tasks

• Endorse key decisions.