4.13.2.40 ACCS (child wellbeing) - provider eligible enrolment

Summary

In most cases, children eligible for ACCS (child wellbeing) should be enrolled under a CWA enrolment (4.13.2.10). In rare circumstances, an approved provider (1.1.A.90) may be unable to identify a parent (1.1.P.10) or carer who is eligible for CCS for a child at risk of serious neglect or abuse. In these limited circumstances, as a last resort, the approved provide may enrol (1.1.E.25) the child under an ACCS (child wellbeing) provider eligible arrangement (PEA).

PEA enrolments are only permitted where:

• the provider is not able to identify a parent or carer who is eligible for CCS
• the child is in a formal foster or kinship care arrangement.

Where the provider is not able to identify an individual who is eligible for CCS

Before an approved provider creates a PEA enrolment for a child in this situation, they must first contact the Department of Education for approval.

A PEA enrolment in these circumstances should end when either the child is no longer considered ‘at risk’, or the approved provider has identified a parent or carer who is eligible for CCS.

Where the child is in a formal foster or kinship care arrangement

A PEA enrolment in these circumstances can be used for a maximum of 13 weeks while the carer is assessed for CCS. The PEA enrolment must be ended after 13 weeks, or once the carer is assessed for CCS, whichever comes first.

Required information for a PEA

In order for ACCS (child wellbeing) to apply to sessions of care (1.1.S.40) submitted under a PEA enrolment, the approved provider must ensure there is an ACCS (child wellbeing) certificate (1.1.C.15), or an ACCS (child wellbeing) determination (1.1.D.78) in effect for the child at the child care service for the weeks in which care is provided.

The following details must be provided accurately in an ACCS (child wellbeing) - approved provider eligible enrolment:

• child name
• child DOB and CRN*
• enrolment start date (the date the certificate was given)
• whether care is expected to be provided on a routine or casual basis, or both
• the days and times of any routine sessions of care (if applicable), and
• the usual fees to be charged for any routine sessions of care (or if there are none, a usual casual rate).

*The child’s parent or carer will need to provide the approved provider with the child’s CRN before they can create the PEA enrolment. If the child does not have a CRN, the parent of carer will need to contact Services Australia to organise one.

Children on a PEA enrolment must still meet the CCS immunisation requirements (1.1.I.10).