Paths to Permanency Overview

Keeping families safely together is our priority. Where this is not possible, the permanent placement principles contained in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 guide how we can provide children and young people with a safe, stable home.

Permanent placement principles

The permanency placement principles provide guidance on placing a child or young person safely in a permanent home. They also set out the timeframes for when the Children’s Court must decide if returning a child to their parent is possible.

The preferred order for the permanent placement of a child or young person is:

• keeping them with or returning them to their family (preservation or restoration)
• guardianship
• open adoption
• parental responsibility to the Minister.

Where it is preferable to any other order, including parental responsibility to the Minister, open adoption is a permanency option for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care (OOHC).

The permanent placement principles help guide casework and decisions made by the Children’s Court. DCJ must demonstrate to the court that it has considered each permanent placement option.