Office of Professional Practice
Guidance note for requesting a case consultation
The Office of Professional Practice promotes and safeguards the rights and quality of life of vulnerable
Victorians through practice leadership and reform.
The Office incorporates the former Office of Principal Practitioner (child protection and youth justice) and the
former Office of Senior Practitioner-Disability.
Who can request assistance from the Office of Professional Practice
The Office of Professional Practice will accept requests to review a case or provide case consultation support
from client services, families, and external review bodies.
Client services, including disability service providers; child protection; youth justice; and out-of-home care
providers can request a consultation of a client matter in line with the guidance found below.
Persons with a disability, a parent/guardian or an advocate can request a review of matters related to restrictive
intervention or compulsory treatment by phoning (03) 9096 8427 or emailing
[email protected]
Requests from professional oversight organisations such as: the Commission for Children and Young People;
Disability Services Commissioner; Ombudsman’s office; and Office of Public Advocate should utilise the
established mechanisms in place for referring client matters to the department.
Accessing assistance from the Office of Professional Practice that is not a case consultation
The Office regularly responds to phone calls and emails which seek information and advice that can be provided
promptly during the course of the call or via return email. The availability for phone and email support regarding
restrictive interventions, compulsory treatment orders and child protection matters will remain unchanged.
The Office has three specialist positions to liaise between the department, Victoria Police and Corrections
Victoria regarding those convicted of sexual offences against children and complex family law matters involving
children at risk. Child protection staff can continue making direct contact with these roles as needed and is not
changed by this guidance note.
This document relates specifically to requests for case reviews or consultations that will require considerable
work including reviews of case files, attendance at case discussions and interviews.
Seeking case consultation assistance on the most complex, sensitive and challenging client
cases
In addition to those specific cases where it is mandatory to either consult with or inform the Office, requests for a
case review or consultation can be made where there are serious concerns and specialist input is required to
Department of Human Services
inform decision making. It is expected that local specialist practice leadership roles will have been consulted
prior to seeking Office of Professional Practice involvement.
There are four types of review or consultation the Office can provide:
 primary case consultation – direct work with clients, their carers and case managers on complex cases
 secondary case consultation – provide consultation, advice and recommendations to case managers and
case planners and other key service partners regarding complex cases
 case review – formally review the history of an individual case to evaluate practice effectiveness and
opportunities for improvement
 service review – formally review a service to evaluate practice effectiveness and opportunities for systemic
improvement in relation to restrictive interventions and compulsory treatment.
Mandatory requirements for consulting/advising the Office of Professional Practice on select
cases
To ensure the Office is informed of high risk, complex cases that are likely to require its specialist expertise,
there are specific requirements regarding when the Office must be informed and a consultation requested.
The Office must be consulted on:
 proposed kinship placements where a criminal records check of an adult significant to the placement has
revealed a category 1 offence
 sexual exploitation of a child or young person
 action to be taken in the Supreme Court and County Courts
 cases where a person with a disability is being detained outside of a legal framework
The Office must be advised of cases:
 Where any relevant issues falling under Parts 7 and 8 of the Disability Act 2006
 with a significant public profile (for example, interest from media or ministers) or the potential for significant
public interest
 that involve external review bodies (Ombudsman; Disability Services Commissioner; and Commission for
Children and Young People)
 involving transfer of individuals from youth justice centres to prisons
 involving transfer of individuals to secure welfare facilities.
Authorisation to request support from the Office of Professional Practice
A case consultation request form should be completed and emailed to
[email protected]
The relevant forms are available on www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/our-organisation/organisationalstructure/our-groups/office-of-professional-practice/case-consultation-opp
All case consultation and case or service review requests must be endorsed by a senior manager as outlined
below. Child Protection referrals should be discussed with and communicated to the divisional principal
practitioner and operations manager prior to submitting a consultation request.
Case consultation endorsement required for Department of Human Services
 manager Residential Client Services
 manager or assistant director Individual and Family Support
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 manager Complex Clients
 operations manager Child Protection
 assistant director Child Protection
 divisional principal practitioner.
Case review or service review endorsement required for Department of Human Services
All requests for a comprehensive case review or service review must be authorised by the divisional executive
director.
Case consultation endorsement required for Community service organisations
Staff employed in a community service organisation should seek authorisation from a senior operations
manager when submitting a case consultation request.
Case review or service review endorsement required for Community service organisations
All requests for a comprehensive case review or service review must be endorsed by the chief executive officer.
Allocation
The Office of Professional Practice will review all requests to determine the type of support required, and if
needed, will follow up to request further information. In some cases the request may be re-directed to a
divisional specialist practice leadership role for their consideration. Where the Office accepts the referral the
case will be allocated and a reply sent to the requesting organisation informing them of the consultant’s details.
Authority of advice provided by the Office of Professional Practice
The case advice provided by the Office is to be recorded on the client case file by the person requesting the
consultation, unless otherwise agreed during the consultation. The expectation is that the advice and direction
provided by the Office will be followed and actions taken recorded on the client file.
Contact the Office of Professional Practice
Telephone: (03) 9096 8427
Email: [email protected]
For more information about the Office of Professional Practice visit:
www.dhs.vic.gov.au/officeofprofessionalpractice
If you would like to receive this publication in another format, please email
[email protected]
This document is also available on the Internet at
www.dhs.vic.gov.au/officeofprofessionalpractice
Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.
May 2014
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