Responses to a notification

When concerns are received about a child and it is reasonably suspected that the child may be suffering harm, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering harm, Child Safety will record a notification and take action that is appropriate in the circumstances.

The response to a notification will either be:

a safety and support response
a standard response
a priority response.

Safety and support response

A safety and support response allows Child Safety, with the parents’ consent to make a referral to an Assessment and Service Connect provider who will:

visit and engage with the child and family independently of Child Safety
assess the child and family’s needs
connect the child and family with supports to reduce risk to the child.

Standard response

A standard response is undertaken by Child Safety and involves:

visiting and speaking to the child and parents about the concerns
assessing the child or young person’s immediate safety
assessing the child and family’s needs
connecting the child and family with supports to address any identified needs and reduce risk to the child.

Priority response

A priority response is undertaken by Child Safety and is an assessment of a child’s need for protection. Child Safety will:

visit and speak to the child and parents about the concerns
assess the child or young person's immediate safety
assess whether the child or young person has been harmed or is likely to be harmed in the future
assess if the child or young person has a parent able and willing to protect them
determine whether ongoing intervention is required to meet the protection and care needs of the child or young person.

Child safety officers have a legal responsibility to advise parents of the outcomes of their assessment.

For more information, see When Child Safety Officers visit your home.

Use of powers

When conducting an investigation and assessment the Child Protection Act 1999 allows a child safety officer or police officer to:

have contact with the child or young person who is at immediate risk of harm
have contact with the child or young person at a school or place where childcare is provided if required
take a child or young person who is at immediate risk into custody (if the officer reasonably believes the child or young person is at risk of harm and they are likely to suffer harm if they are not immediately taken into custody).

When a child or young person who is at immediate risk is taken into custody, the child safety officer may:

arrange for a medical examination or medical treatment for the child or young person, if it is reasonable in the circumstances
enter the premises or residence in which they reasonably believe the child or young person to be
search for the child or young person
remain within the premises for as long as they reasonably consider it necessary to find the child or young person.