ppss.org.au

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• Some carers have enhanced payments because of the foster / permanent care child’s medical or behavioural problems.
• Carers of children/young people with complex needs do not automatically receive enhanced payments as the assessment and decision is usually made in consultation with the CSO (agency) and DHS.
• The DHS regional office gives the final approval. Also, each region may have different assessment criteria, depending on what other resources are available within the region, i.e. counselling services, support services etc.
• The carer should speak with the agency to ascertain how/if the CSO has made an assessment for the child/young person so that the carer can receive enhanced caregiver payments. The carer can also check what the CSO has done to advocate on the child/young person/carer's behalf.
• If the CSO has made the assessment that enhanced caregiver payments are warranted, and DHS do not agree with this decision, then the CSO should seek a reason from DHS as to why this is so. Perhaps the team leader of the CSO could speak with the team leader of DHS, and if there is still no common ground reached, then go to the unit manager at the DHS regional office.