Child Protection Reporting Policy Attachment 3

A step-by-step guide to making a report to
Child Protection or Child FIRST
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 Child
Protection
1. 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
2. If you have significant concerns
that a child and their family need
a referral to Child FIRST for family
services.
Go to Step 3
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
1. Consider the level of immediate
danger to the child.
Ask yourself:
a) Have I formed a belief that the
child has suffered or is at risk of
suffering significant harm?
YES / NO
and
b) Am I in doubt about the child’s
safety and the parent’s ability to
protect the child?
YES / NO
2. If you answered yes to a) or b)
Go to Step 4
3. 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
1. Contact your local Child FIRST
provider.
• See over for contact list for
local Child FIRST phone
numbers.
2. Have notes ready with your
observations and child and
family details.
Mandatory/Protective Report*
1. 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.
2. 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
Protective concerns
You are concerned about a child because you have:
• received a disclosure from a child about abuse or neglect
• observed indicators of abuse 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
For further information refer to Protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people – A joint protocol of the Department of Human Services Child Protection,
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Licensed Children’s Services and Victorian Schools