Appendices

1. Steps to reporting a child protection concern

Step 1. Concerns

• A clinician has concerns for the safety and wellbeing of a child, young person or unborn child due to physical, sexual, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect

Step 2. Considerations

• Assessment is made with consideration to:
  • the presence of signs, disclosures, injuries and behaviours (of parent and/or the child) that heighten your concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the child
  • detrimental effects on the child's body or psychological or emotional state that are evident at the time of presentation or likely to become evident in the future
  • the nature and severity of the detrimental effects and the likelihood they will
    continue
  • the child's age, particularly the vulnerability of young children
  • if a parent is able and willing to protect the child from harm

Step 3. Consultation

• Consult with:
  • a line manager or colleague
  • a Child Protection Liaison Officer. See Table 2.
  • the Queensland Child Protection Guide. See Resource 2.
• Note: report concerns if consensus with colleagues is not reached

Step 4. Decision making

• Go to Step 5. if there is a reasonable suspicion a child has suffered, is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm and may not have a parent able and willing to protect them
• Go to Step 6. If your concerns do not reach the threshold for a Child Safety report, but the family would benefit from a referral to a support service

Step 5. Reporting to Child safety

• Complete the online reporting form to Child safety. See Resource 1.
• Contact Child Safety Regional Intake Service. See Table 1.
• Print, sign and file in the patient medical record. Record, the date, time and name of the person you spoke to at CS-RIS or CSAHSC
• Forward a copy to your local Child Protection Liaison Officer. See Table 2.
• Completed

Step 6. Supporting the family

• Refer to Family and Child Connect (Resource 4.):
  • if the family has multiple or complex needs
  • if the family requires further assessment and identification of needs
  • print and file a copy in the patient medical record
  • if this service is not available in your area contact 13FAMILY (13 32 64) for referral options
• Refer to Intensive Family Support Service (Resource 4.):
  • if the family has multiple or complex needs and consents
  • complete referral form
  • if this service is not available in your area contact 13FAMILY (13 32 64) for referral options
• Referral completed
• Under S159M of the Child Protection Act 1999 particular prescribed entities can refer families to Family and Child Connect or Intensive Family Support Services without consent to prevent a child from becoming in need of protection

2. Contacts

• If you are uncertain about anything contact:
  • '000' if child is at imminent risk of harm
  • your local Child Protection Liaison Officer. See Table 2.
  • Child Safety After Hours Service on 1800 177 135 (public) or 1300 681 513 (professional)

3. Legislative requirements

• Under the Child Protection Act 1999 (Section 13E (1) doctors and registered nurses are mandatory reporters. See Resource 3.
• All Queensland Health staff have a duty of care to make a report to Child Safety Regional Intake Services if:
  • a reasonable suspicion that a child has suffered, is suffering, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering significant harm caused by physical and sexual abuse and may not have a parent able or willing to protect them from harm
  • clinicians do not have to investigate or prove that a parent may not be able or willing to protect children from harm
  • this does not preclude mandatory reporters from reporting significant harm caused by emotional/psychological abuse or neglect

4. Resources

1. Make a child safety report here or Queensland Health Staff here
2. Child protection guide or Queensland Child Protection Guide
3. Current version of the Child Protection Act 1999
4. Family and Child Connect and Intensive Family Support