5.4 Active Holding
Active holding is a limited and interim response to child and family needs in the absence of ongoing service and the full range of case work activities being available.
All decisions made about the type of active holding response are informed by ongoing assessment of risk and needs that also helps to determine the priority for service. (Note assessment at intake and through active holding is based on limited information, with any need for comprehensive assessment based on risk indicators a trigger for urgent allocation).
The minimum expectation for active holding is one phone contact per week but the service may be as extensive as possible based on worker capacity and family needs. This may include:
  • Assessments
  • Home visits
  • Follow up with other services
  • Material aide
  • Facilitated referrals to other services
  • Case conferences
  • Crisis support
In an exceptional circumstance, an arrangement may be negotiated with a family to provide less than weekly phone contact as part of holding. The rationale for this is to be clearly documented on the client file.
A clear contact person and number is to be provided to the family receiving a holding service in the event of a change in service need during the waiting period.
Families should be regularly advised of the waiting period until an active service is possible.
Key Principles of North Central Victorian Family Services Alliance approach to Active Holding work
The Alliance has agreed that an overriding principle is that cases will flow through to the relevant local Family Services agency as soon as possible.
Family Services agencies will undertake holding work for all cases transferred via Child FIRST at allocation meetings and direct referrals.   
Agencies within sub catchments will use strategic and flexible approaches to ensure the acceptance of the majority of referrals.
Child FIRST will undertake holding work only for Significant Wellbeing and Complex/ Other Family Services cases that have significant risk indicators or high need and cannot be transferred at the first allocation meeting.
The Alliance has agreed that no other cases would be allocated/accepted within the relevant Family Service agency/ies until any Significant Wellbeing cases receiving service by Child FIRST (active holding function) are allocated.
Cases held by Child FIRST will be re-presented at the next and subsequent allocation meetings (maximum of 3 weeks).  If the case cannot be allocated at the 4th allocation meeting, the Alliance will become involved to support resolution of  the issue.
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