Child Protection Protocol

Question 1

Consult and joint investigation plan - steps 3 and 4

Answer 1

1. Referral (information sharing)
2. Consultation (discussion at appropriate level, critical, very urgent, urgent)
3. Agreement (IJIP)

Question 2

What must occur

Answer 2

An IJIP must be agreed upon

Question 3

Timeframes required

Answer 3

Critical – in immediate risk or serious harm and the need for immediate protection may be necessary.

Very Urgent – At risk of harm but is not in any immediate danger.

Urgent – At risk of harm but protected in the short term.

Critical and Very Urgent requires initial action within 24 hours.
Urgent initial action within two working days.

Question 4

Define child under CPP

Answer 4

Unless specified, child means any child or young person under the age of 17 years at the time of the report, as defined in the CYP Act 1989

Question 5

Define serious child abuse

Answer 5

• Sexual abuse
• Serious physical abuse
• Serious wilful neglect
• Serious family violence where the child is a witness
• All allegations against CYF approved caregivers that involve serious child abuse
• All allegations against employees of CYF and Police that involve serious child abuse

Question 6

Determining the seriousness of physical abuse

Answer 6

Consider:

1. The action of the abuse
2. The injury inflicted
3. The circumstances

Question 7

Initial action and safety assessment - when to speak to a child.

Answer 7

Obtain brief details of what the reported concern is about to enable risk assessment to be completed to determine appropriate initial response:

• details of informant, complainant and child
• brief circumstances of concern or complaint
• brief details of timings and about scene
• offender’s details

Do not question the child in depth at this stage.
1. If the child has disclosed sexual or physical assaults to an adult, obtain the information from that adult and do not ask the child again what has happened if a clear disclosure has been made.

2. If it is unclear what the child has said and:
   a. There are no urgent safety issues, do not question the child any further
   b. It is absolutely necessary to speak to the child to ascertain their safety as open ended questions, do not continue to question them if it becomes clear that an offence has occurred.

Question 8

What is the NIA code for Child protection

Answer 8

6C

Question 9

What is agreed in an IJIP?

Answer 9

• Who is involved in the case
• What they will do
• When they will do it

Question 10

What to consider in an IJIP

Answer 10

• The child’s safety and well being
• Any joint visits required
• Initial interview, (ethnicity needs)
• Specialist child witness interview, interviews of the alleged offender and others
• Collection of evidence
• Referral to a medical practitioner

Question 11

Options for removing a child

Answer 11

Section 42 CYF Act – Police power, reasonable grounds to believe it is critically necessary to remove a child to prevent injury or death,

Section 40 CYF Act – Warrant to remove, Court is satisfied child is in need of care and protection, it may issue warrant for removal of child from any place to be put in CYF care.