A step-by-step guide to making a report to Child Protection or Child FIRST Protective concerns At all times remember to: You are concerned about a child because you have: record your observations received a disclosure from a about abuse or neglect follow appropriate protocols observed indicators of or neglect consult notes and records been made aware of possible harm via your consult with appropriate colleagues if necessary involvement in the community external to your consult with other support agencies if necessary professional role. MAKING A REFERRAL TO MAKE A REPORT TO FORMING A BELIEF ON RESPONDING TO CONCERNS 1 2 3 4 Child FIRST PROTECTION REASONABLE GROUNDS Step Step Step Step Child Wellbeing Referral Mandatory/Protective Report* If your concerns relate to a child in Consider the level of immediate need of immediate protection; or you danger to the child. Contact your local Child FIRST Contact your local Child Protection have formed a belief that a child is at Ask yourself: provider. Intake provider immediately. significant risk of harm*. Have I formed a belief that the See over for contact list for See over for contact list for Go to Step 4 child has suffered or is at risk of local Child FIRST phone local Child Protection phone suffering significant harm? If you have significant concerns numbers. numbers. that a child and their family need YES / NO After Hours Child Have notes ready with your For a referral to Child FIRST for family and Protection observations and child and Emergency services. Am I in doubt about the child’s family details. Services, call Go to Step 3 safety and the parent’s ability to 131 278. In all other situations protect the child? Have notes ready with your Go to Step 2. YES / NO observations and child and If you answered yes to a) or b) family details. Go to step 4 * Non-mandated staff members who believe * Refer to Appendix 2: Definitions of If you have significant concerns on reasonable grounds that a child is in child abuse and indicators of harm in that a child and their family need need of protection are able to report their the Protocol Protecting the safety and – a referral to Child FIRST for family concerns to Child Protection wellbeing of children and young people services. Go to Step 3 –
A step-by-step guide to making a report to Child Protection or Child FIRST Protective concerns You are concerned about a child because you have: received a disclosure from a about abuse or neglect observed indicators of or neglect been made aware of possible harm via your involvement in the community external to your professional role. At all times remember to: record your observations follow appropriate protocols consult notes and records consult with appropriate colleagues if necessary consult with other support agencies if necessary Step 1 RESPONDING TO CONCERNS Step 2 FORMING A BELIEF ON REASONABLE GROUNDS Step 3 MAKING A REFERRAL TO Child FIRST Step 4 MAKE A REPORT TO PROTECTION If your concerns relate to a child in need of immediate protection; or you have formed a belief that a child is at significant risk of harm*. Go to Step 4 If you have significant concerns that a child and their family need a referral to Child FIRST for family services. Go to Step 3 In all other situations Go to Step 2. * Refer to Appendix 2: Definitions of child abuse and indicators of harm in the Protocol – Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people Consider the level of immediate danger to the child. Ask yourself: Have I formed a belief that the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering significant harm? YES / NO and Am I in doubt about the child’s safety and the parent’s ability to protect the child? YES / NO If you answered yes to a) or b) Go to step 4 If you have significant concerns that a child and their family need a referral to Child FIRST for family services. Go to Step 3 Child Wellbeing Referral Contact your local Child FIRST provider. See over for contact list for local Child FIRST phone numbers. Have notes ready with your observations and child and family details. Mandatory/Protective Report* Contact your local Child Protection Intake provider immediately. See over for contact list for local Child Protection phone numbers. For After Hours Child Protection Emergency Services, call 131 278. Have notes ready with your observations and child and family details. * Non-mandated staff members who believe on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection are able to report their concerns to Child Protection –