VPRS 18057 Child Case History Files: Liaison and Advocacy Unit

This series consists of case files of children residing at Allambie Reception Centre (VA 5033) who, because of particular needs or problems, came under the attention of the Liaison and Advocacy Unit.The files include correspondence and working papers as well as copies of Admission Forms; Assessment and Planning Reports; Children's Clinic Psychiatric Reports; Orders to Admit to Care of the Department; and child reviews and classification sheets, which were completed periodically by social workers to appraise the progress of individual children and develop case plans.Detailed notes about the children's backgrounds and reasons for particular case plan decisions are also included in the files along with enclosures that reflect the role of the Liaison and Advocacy Unit representative. Copies of procedural records for reference purposes (e.g. Allambie admission records) also appear.The Liaison and Advocacy Unit, Practice Quality Branch of the Department of Community Services (VA 2633) was established to advocate the rights of clients primarily residing in institutions or at risk of institutionalisation and maintain pressure on the Department to ensure quality client service.A Liaison and Advocacy Unit officer was appointed as the departmental 'watchdog' within Allambie Reception Centre. The incumbent had the responsibility of appraising internal procedures and programs. Additionally, they acted as an advocate for children, ensuring that their legal and civil rights were upheld. To do this they liaised with external officials from the Children's' Court and other bodies, as well as departmental and institutional staff.The Department of Health and Community Services' Liaison and Advocacy Unit was formally disbanded in July 1990, yet the files may hold later enclosures.