The department has the legislated mandate under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (the Act) to grant (either with or without conditions), renew and cancel licences for Foster Care Agencies (FCA), Children's Residential Facilities (CRF) and Kinship Care Agencies (KCA).
DCP also has a compliance and monitoring role to ensure:
- it is appropriate for agencies to remain licensed
- any licence conditions are being complied with.
Foster care agency, kinship care agency and children's residential facility licences
Agencies must hold an appropriate licence approved by the Department for Child Protection in accordance with the Act if they wish to:
- administer the placement of a child or young person in a foster care or kinship care arrangement in South Australia
- operate a children’s residential facility in South Australia
Framework Requirements
In accordance with the Act, any agency outside of the department that wishes to administer the placement of a child or young person in a foster care or kinship care arrangement in South Australia or operate a children’s residential facility, must hold an appropriate licence.
The Licensing quality and compliance Framework (the Framework) consists of several components which assist both DCP and service providers during the licensing process to maintain the safety of children and young people whilst also maintaining transparency and consistency.
Please refer to the Framework for information regarding:
- legislative provisions
- initial application process
- criteria and evidence required to meet legislative and Departmental licensing standards
- assessment and approval process.
Supporting Documents
- Fit and proper assessment application form
- Declaration of Financial Viability
- Facility or agency licence application form
- Change to licence or cancellation application form
- Organisational level assessment application form
- Organisational level assessment tool
- Agency level assessment tool
- Facility level safety check
- Licensing Services: Evidence Resource
The Licensing Services: Evidence Resource is available to assist organisations when undertaking compliance, assessment and audit activities. To maintain integrity during the licensing process, the evidence resource provides clarity for each criteria and standard and outlines acceptable evidence.
Please contact DCP’s Service Contracts and Licensing Team via email DCPLicensing@sa.gov.au who will be able to provide:
- support in initiating and completing the application process
- guidance and feedback on the documentation to be submitted to meet licensing requirements.
Application Process
To assist organisations with the licensing application process, a frequently asked questions (FAQs) document has been developed.
Psychological assessment requirements
All staff working in Children’s Residential Facilities who provide services to children under the custody or guardianship of the DCP Chief Executive are required to complete a psychological assessment irrespective of the number of children residing at the facility.
Licensed operators will be required to provide information on their organisations policies, procedures and processes associated with psychological assessment requirements.
Further information can be found in the Children's Residential Facility Licence update (PDF, 626.9 KB).
Information on psychological requirements for Children's Residential Staff can be accessed on the psychological assessment service provision requirements webpage.