This report is one of two reviews which have a central aim of identifying measures to improve the sustainability of the care and protection system. Both of the reports were directed by the Cabinet Committee on Government Expenditure and Administration (EXG) and consider progress made since the 2003 Baseline Review in the key areas of demand for statutory care and protection services, and provision of care services to children and young people with established care and protection concerns. The other review is the Responses to Demand Review. The Permanency Review was tasked by Cabinet with identifying options to improve the return of children in foster care to stable care arrangements with permanent guardians. Three barriers were taken into consideration for this task: any disincentives in the benefit system; the delivery of government services (including Health and Education agencies) to foster children; and information systems on the status and needs of children in the care of the Department. The Permanency Review recognised there was an urgent need to better understand the needs of children and young people who have care and protection concerns and to differentiate the care options and interventions to be able to respond to the different needs. The report discusses the current context, the care system, current responses, and Cabinet's key considerations. Four critical factors that directly influence permanency outcomes include: early intervention and effective diversion from care; strong tracking and case planning to avoid drift; increased placement choice; and increased multi-disciplinary support for all placements. The delivery of services and information systems are seen as key elements. Other areas considered where barriers have arisen include: Child, Youth and Family's ability to secure the confidence of the Family Court in its permanency plans; insufficient investment in creating family change to allow children and young people to return to or remain safely at home; insufficient use of the resources of the wider family/whanau through the Family Group Conference process to provide permanency options; and a lack of temporary carers capable of supporting children and young people who may have difficult behaviours, and who are capable of assisting them to move into permanent placements. The report concludes with discussion on placing the review's proposals into an integrated work programme.

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