Code of Conduct for Authorised Carers
This Code of Conduct is for authorised foster, relative and kinship carers, prospective guardians and dually authorised prospective adoptive parents currently providing authorised care. These groups of people are referred to as ‘carers’ throughout the Code of Conduct.A designated agency is an organisation accredited to arrange and supervise out-of-home care services. They are referred to as ‘agency’ throughout the Code of Conduct.Children or young people will be referred to as child or children throughout the Code of Conduct.
Administration of the Code
This Code of Conduct is issued by the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services to be applied consistently across the out-of-home care sector. It is to be administered by the Department of Communities and Justice and any amendments will need to be made and approved by the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services.
Agencies may develop their own policies, procedures and guidelines that provide more detailed information for authorised carers and agencies about their shared responsibilities to children. These policies, procedures and guidelines should be consistent with the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Regulation 2012 and this Code of Conduct.