Checklist for regional practice advisors and supervisors re: s335 plans

A good plan will clearly indicate what the objectives are for the young person and how they are to be achieved. What needs to happen for this young person to reduce or preferably stop his or her offending? It is important to show how the tasks in the plan will contribute to and support the objectives, rather than just concentrating on the tasks themselves.

It will be clear in every plan how the following objectives will be achieved:

• Accountability for the proven offending
• Reducing the likelihood of further offending

Before approving the plan, supervisors need to be confident that the plan addresses all the identified issues, transitions and other matters pertinent to the young person.

The regional practice advisor will review the approved plan and consult with the supervisor about any concerns they may have about the content of any plan.

Please note that the list below covers key points but should not be considered as exclusive of the particular needs, risks and strengths for any young person. 

Supervision with residence order

You must be satisfied that the plan clearly addresses:

• the identified needs, risks and strengths for the young person and outlines what has been put in place to address these in the residence
• how transition will be managed for the young person, particularly on his or her completion of the order. These include:
  • returning to a secure and stable placement
  • continuing any education and/or training from residence to the community
  • transfer of care for any counselling or treatment services from residence to the community
  • any proposed familiarisation visits by the young person in preparation for their transition from residential care to the community
• regular contact and collaboration between the social worker and the residential case leader throughout the period of the s311 order
• the details and arrangements for family/whänau contact and visits during the period of the order
• the arrangements for the attendance of the social worker at the multi-agency team meetings and pre-release meeting held at the residence
• the aspirations and wishes of the young person.

Supervision order

You must be satisfied that the plan clearly addresses:

• where the young person will live – this must be a focus for the social worker, particularly when the young person has a s101 status and/or a return home is not possible
• how the transition from residence to a home environment will be managed
• what the young person has been doing in the residence regarding education/training/employment and how their endeavours will be continued and supported in the community
• counselling/other treatment requirements – how is the transfer of care to community providers being managed?
• how criminogenic risks can be minimised including the management of risk periods like evenings and weekends - what is evident in the Tuituia report?
• the support required for the young person to complete their plan
• support required by the parents/caregivers or significant support person to enable the young person to complete their plan
• key contacts in the community that will advance the plan
• roles and responsibilities of any community providers post residence
• who will be the key person to support the young person (in some cases this will be the social worker)
• who will set up initial appointments for the young person
• details of any agreed post-release contact by residential staff
• for orders of eight months or more, the objectives of the plan
• the aspirations and wishes of the young person
• consideration of “back-up” options in case the initial placement is not successful or other parts of the plan cannot be implemented satisfactorily.