The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

6.2.5.55 CP (child) reviews - care load reviews

Summary

This topic explains the care load reviews that are conducted in relation to the care provided to a child or children for CP (child).

Types of reviews & selection method

Note: There are also specialised reviews for carers in certain circumstances, as discussed in other carer review Guide topics.

Carers will be selected for a care load review through profiling (6.5) and when the child reaches developmental milestones (this topic).

Carers receiving CP (child) automatically qualify for CA (child). Reviews for carers on both payments will be done at the same time, with respect to the same carer/care receiver. A single medical report/review will apply to both CP (child) and CA (child).

Carers receiving ex WP CP will be subject to the CA care load reviews (6.2.5.110). Those carers who lose eligibility for CA as part of a review will also lose eligibility to their ex WP CP.

Policy reference: SS Guide 6.2.5 Disability & carer reviews

Purpose of care load reviews

The purpose of care load reviews is to comprehensively review all aspects of the care required by the care receiver, and provided by the carer, to determine whether the carer remains qualified for payment. The information gathered during care load reviews will inform a decision by Services Australia customer service advisor (CSA) on whether the carer is/is not still qualified for payment on the basis of meeting care requirements.

Method of care load reviews

Care load reviews involve the completion of a Care Needs Assessment by the carer, and a medical assessment by a THP (3.6.12).

Frequency of care load reviews

Carers undergo a care load review a minimum of twice during the maximum 16 years on payment (at the developmental milestone ages discussed below). Care-related reviews that a carer can undergo for the same care receiver can occur no more frequently than annually, however it is expected that only a very small number of carers who need a more focused level of service to assist them would be selected for review annually.

All carers receiving CP (child) undergo a care load review when their child reaches the following 2 developmental milestones:

  • 4 years 8 months (to coincide with the transition to school), and
  • 13 years (to coincide with puberty and the transition to high school).

Reviews are conducted at these ages as they are:

  • established milestones, and
  • the points at which children are considered sufficiently equipped (emotionally, socially, physically) to increase their independence, and enter school and then high school, and are hence the points at which care load is most likely to change.

Combined care (CP)

For combined care (3.6.4.35), all child care receivers who qualify the carer for CP are to be reviewed at the same time. As combined care is not included in the profiling reviews carers will be manually reviewed every 2 years.

Multiple care (CP)

For multiple care (3.6.4.36), all child and adult care receivers who qualify the carer for CP are to be reviewed at the same time. Carers of multiple care receivers are not included in the profiling reviews so these carers will be manually reviewed every 2 years.

Exchanged care (CP)

Where a carer is qualified for CP (child) under exchanged care (3.6.4.37), all care receivers who qualify the carer for CP are to be reviewed at the same time. Exchanged care is not included in the profiling reviews so will be manually reviewed every 2 years.

Exemptions from care load reviews

The following categories of carers are exempt from care load reviews:

  • those whose child has a terminal illness (3.6.4.33)
  • those in a bereavement period (3.1.5.130)
  • those whose child has qualified them for payment and has a condition that appears on the list of recognised disabilities (1.1.R.90)
  • those who have a significant care load as indicated by their DCLA score (ACL score > = 300 and THP score > = 4 and condition is relatively stable or becoming worse over time)
  • those who qualified for CP (child) under the former 'CP profoundly disabled child' non-behavioural criteria (3.6.4.15)
  • those who are 'suspended' when selected for a review.

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