Child Protection Procedures Manual PDF

The Structured Decision Making® System
for Child Protective Services
July 2015
Queensland
Child Protection Guide
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Queensland Child Protection Guide represents the contributions of many individuals
whose efforts to develop, review and refine the following decision trees and their definitions
are greatly appreciated.
The Department of Communities, an agency of the Queensland Government, is licensed to reproduce, install
and display SDM materials for internal purposes. Any modification or addition has to be approved by the
National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD). NCCD will then grant a license to use such agreed-upon
modifications or additions for internal purposes only.
© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................................1
PROCEDURES..........................................................................................................................2
STARTING PAGES ................................................................................................................10
DECISION TREES ..................................................................................................................12
PHYSICAL HARM .............................................................................................................15
NEGLECT: SUPERVISION ...............................................................................................16
NEGLECT: PHYSICAL SHELTER/ENVIRONMENT .....................................................17
NEGLECT: NUTRITION ...................................................................................................18
NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ....................................19
NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—NON-MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS...........................20
NEGLECT: MENTAL HEALTH........................................................................................21
NEGLECT: HYGIENE/CLOTHING ..................................................................................22
SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD (AGE 0<16 YEARS) .....................................................23
SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG PERSON (AGE 16–17 YEARS) .....................................23
CHILD PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR—SELF-DIRECTED/TOWARD
OTHERS ..............................................................................................................................24
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM ......................................................................26
PREGNANT WOMAN—UNBORN CHILD .....................................................................26
PARENT CONCERN: SUBSTANCE ABUSE ..................................................................28
PARENT CONCERN: MENTAL HEALTH ......................................................................28
PARENT CONCERN: INTELLECTUAL OR COGNITIVE DISABILITY .....................30
PARENT CONCERN: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ..............................................................31
COMMUNITY BASED INTAKE AND REFERRAL SERVICE OR INTENSIVE
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ........................................................................................31
DEFINITIONS .........................................................................................................................33
PHYSICAL HARM .............................................................................................................33
NEGLECT: SUPERVISION ...............................................................................................45
NEGLECT: PHYSICAL SHELTER/ENVIRONMENT .....................................................52
NEGLECT: NUTRITION ...................................................................................................57
NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ....................................61
NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—NON-MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS...........................66
NEGLECT: MENTAL HEALTH........................................................................................69
NEGLECT: HYGIENE/CLOTHING ..................................................................................74
SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD (AGE 0<16 YEARS) .........................................................79
SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG PERSON (AGE 16–17 YEARS) .....................................86
CHILD PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR – SELF-DIRECTED/TOWARD
OTHERS ..............................................................................................................................90
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM ......................................................................95
PREGNANT WOMAN—UNBORN CHILD ...................................................................100
PARENT CONCERN: SUBSTANCE ABUSE ................................................................103
PARENT CONCERN: MENTAL HEALTH ....................................................................108
PARENT CONCERN: INTELLECTUAL OR COGNITIVE DISABILITY ...................113
PARENT CONCERN: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ............................................................117
COMMUNITY BASED INTAKE AND REFERRAL OR INTENSIVE FAMILY
SUPPORT SERVICES ......................................................................................................120
CULTURAL NOTES ............................................................................................................124
GLOSSARY ..........................................................................................................................125
Children’s Research Center is a nonprofit social research organisation

and centre of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency

Purpose P age |1
PURPOSE
The Child Protection Guide (CPG) is an online decision-support tool designed to assist
professionals with concerns about a child’s safety or well-being in making decisions
regarding where to report or refer their concerns. The expanded use of the guide in
Queensland is part of the government’s commitment to build stronger families and provide
the right services at the right time to vulnerable families.
The decision to report child protection concerns is not an easy one and the consequences of
the decision are considerable. The CPG was co-designed by multiple government
departments and non-government agencies to ensure that reporting obligations are met and
serious concerns are reported to child safety promptly, whilst also enabling families where
less serious concerns exist to access support services without unnecessary statutory
intervention.
The CPG supports professionals to make these decisions by:
 Focusing on the critical factors for decision making;
 Clearly identifying the threshold for concerns that require a report to Child
Safety;
 Operationalising the legislation to ensure reporting obligations are met;
 Identifying alternative and additional ways to support a family where the

concerns do not meet this threshold;
 Providing details of available local support services;
 Providing a consistent and objective framework for analysing concerns; and
 Promoting shared principles, language and thresholds across the system.
If a child has a serious illness or injury requiring immediate medical attention OR a crime has
just been or is about to be committed OR a child has just caused or is about to cause serious
harm to self or others, first call ‘triple 0’ and ask for the appropriate service to respond to the
emergency.
The Queensland Police Service’s fundamental role in child protection is the investigation of
criminal offences committed upon or by children. Child Safety is required to immediately
advise the police if they reasonably believe alleged harm to a child may involve the
commission of a criminal offence relating to the child.
This CPG is intended to complement, not replace, clinical judgement, expertise and critical
thinking. The guide should be applied within the professional’s respective agency’s policies
and procedures for managing child protection concerns where they exist. The outcome of the
CPG does not prevent a professional reporter from any course of action he/she believes is
appropriate. Finally, this guide is a dynamic document. Continual evaluation and feedback
will be used to refine this manual over time.

Procedures P age |2
PROCEDURES
Which Children
A child is defined under the Child Protection Act 1999 as an individual under 18 years of age.
Use the guide when you have concerns for a child who is accessing a service in Queensland,
such as a health service or a school. It is not necessary for the reporter to determine whether
the child is a resident of Queensland.
If the information available leads to a recommendation to report, the report may be made to
Child Safety – Regional Intake Service (RIS). The child safety officer will be responsible for
determining whether the report will be followed up by Queensland’s child protection agency,
Child Safety, or reported to another jurisdiction.
When To Use This Guide

Use the guide when, in the course of your employment, you suspect on reasonable grounds
that a child has been, is being or is at risk of being significantly harmed and there may not be
a parent able and willing to protect the child.
Decision Points
Each path through a decision tree leads to a decision point as described below. After
completion of the CPG, you may print the final summary report and save a copy, according to
your agency procedures. Specific instructions will also be provided depending on the
recommendation outcome.

Procedures P age |3
1. Report to Child Safety – Regional Intake Service

Child Safety – Regional Intake Service (RIS) receives information and child
protection concerns from community members, government and non-government
agencies during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
Outside of these hours, the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre (CSAHSC) can
be contacted on 1800-177-135 or 07 3235 9999.
For more information on reporting concerns to Child Safety, visit the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety) website at:
http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety.
To report child protection concerns, use the contact details below.
Regional Contact Details for Reporting Child Protection Concerns

Intake Service General Line Fax
1800 177 135
Child Safety After Hours Service Centre 07 3235 9898
07 3235 9999
Brisbane RIS 1300 682 254 07 3259 8771
Central Qld RIS 1300 703 762 07 4938 4697
Far North Qld RIS 1300 684 062 07 4039 8320
North Coast RIS 1300 703 921 07 5420 9049
North Qld RIS 1300 706 147 07 4799 7273
South East RIS 1300 679 849 07 3884 8802
South West RIS 1300 683 390 07 4616 1796
Direct lines to RIS are available for use by mandatory reporters including Queensland
Health (QH), Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE),
Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC), Independent Schools
Queensland (ISQ) and Queensland Police Service.
Regional Contact Details for Reporting Child Protection Concerns - Partner Agencies
QPS After
Intake Service Direct Line Fax Email
Hours Line
Child Safety After
1300 681 513 1300 682 724
Hours Service 07 3235 9898
3235 9901 07 3235 9902
Centre
Brisbane RIS 1300 705 339 - 07 3259 8771 [email protected]
Central Qld RIS 1300 683 042 - 07 4938 4697 [email protected]
Far North Qld RIS 1300 683 596 - 07 4039 8320 [email protected]
North Coast RIS 1300 705 201 - 07 5420 9049 [email protected]
North Qld RIS 1300 704 514 - 07 4799 7273 [email protected]
South East RIS 1300 678 801 - 07 3884 8802 [email protected]
South West RIS 1300 683 259 - 07 4616 1796 [email protected]
You should make a report about your concerns to Child Safety – RIS as soon as
possible, in accordance with your agency’s procedures. In some instances, you may
also need to arrange medical care and/or inform QPS.
Procedures P age |4
Include the following information, to the extent known, in your report and/or
information as required by your agency’s policies and procedures:
 A description of the specific circumstances that supported your ‘YES’ or ‘NO’

responses on the decision trees.
 Child/ren’s details (name, DOB, sex, indigenous status/ethnicity, language).
 Parent/carer’s details (name, DOB, sex, indigenous status/ethnicity, language).
 Other household members’ details (name, DOB, sex, indigenous

status/ethnicity, language).
 Address.
 Date the concerns were received.
 Concerns.
 Parent/carer’s protective actions or abilities, if known.
 History of previous relevant contact with service.
 Reporting officer’s details (name, position, contact details).
The child safety officer (CSO) will assess the information that you provide, along
with information that may be known to Child Safety, to determine one of the
following:
 The report does not meet the threshold for a notification; or

 The report is a notification and an investigation and assessment is required.
Irrespective of what Child Safety does, it is important to maintain your professional

relationship with the family as far as appropriate and possible.
ALERT: When making a report to Child Safety – RIS, include any information
you have about the impact of the report on the safety of the child, family or
responding worker/officer (e.g. guns or weapons in the home, vicious dog in the
home, threat to harm responding worker or officer, threat to retaliate.
2. Refer to Family and Child Connect to provide further identification of family

needs, engage the family and provide referrals to the appropriate community-based
services.
This decision point occurs when the identified concerns have not reached the
reporting threshold under the Child Protection Act 1999, but children, young people
and families are experiencing struggles. These families typically have complex needs
requiring multiple, coordinated services in order to prevent problems from escalating
and requiring statutory intervention. In these cases, the reporter believes it is

Procedures P age |5
necessary to conduct further identification of family needs prior to determining the

most appropriate support service(s) for the family.
Talk to the family about your concerns and seek their consent to provide a referral to a
Family and Child Connect. Only reporters from particular prescribed entities may
refer a family to Family and Child Connect without the consent of the family.
If the family does not consent to a referral and you are NOT from a particular
prescribed entity, you cannot directly refer the family to an intensive family support
service. Instead, you should document the decision and monitor and support child
well-being as appropriate. You may also provide information regarding services and
resources directly to the family.
If you have further concerns about the child, you could also contact Family and Child
Connect for information and advice on how to move forward with the family.
3. Refer to an intensive family support service that provides case management and
holistic supports and services, e.g. Intensive Family Support (IFS) services, Referral
for Active Intervention (RAI), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) family
support services.
This decision point occurs when the identified concerns have not reached the
reporting threshold under the Child Protection Act 1999, but children, young people
and families may be experiencing multiple and/or chronic problems. These families
typically have complex and/or multiple needs requiring multiple, coordinated services
in order to prevent problems from escalating and requiring statutory intervention.
Talk to the family about your concerns and seek their consent to provide a
referral to a family support service. Only certain professionals from particular
prescribed entities may refer a family to intensive family support services without the
consent of the family.
If the family does not consent to a referral and you are not a particular prescribed
entity, you can document the decision and monitor and support child well-being as
appropriate. You may also provide information regarding services and resources
directly to the family.
If the child or family identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander consult with the
family to ascertain if they would prefer to be referred to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander family support service.
4. Direct referral to services to address the identified needs.

This decision point occurs when the identified concerns are below the reporting
threshold under the Child Protection Act 1999, but children, young people and
families will benefit from a referral to a secondary service to address the particular
identified need(s). These families have a specific need requiring support. However,
they do not need an intensive case management approach to support.
Talk to the family about your concerns and seek their consent to provide a referral to
the appropriate support service. Only certain professionals from particular prescribed
entities may refer a family to a support service without the consent of the family.
If the family does not consent to a referral and you are NOT a particular prescribed
entity, you cannot directly refer the family to a secondary service. Instead, you should
Procedures P age |6
document the decision and monitor and support child well-being as appropriate. You
may also provide information regarding services and resources directly to the family.
If you intend to refer the family to a secondary service and need assistance locating an
appropriate service, you may also consult with Family and Child Connect. You do not
need to complete a referral to Family and Child Connect or provide any identifying
information to Family and Child Connect. Simply call to explain the type of
secondary service you are seeking and any special considerations (i.e. cultural,
transportation, language).
If you still have further concerns about the child you could also contact Family and
Child Connect for information and advice on how to move forward with the family.
5. Report not required.

This decision point occurs when the concerns are substantially below the Child Safety
– RIS screening threshold for reasonable suspicion that a child is in need of
protection. Though no report is recommended, there may be alternative actions the
reporter can take or initiate.
A. Document decision. Following your agency protocol, prepare a record of your

concerns, including the information that led to your ‘yes’/’no’ answers on the
decision tree. If concerns persist or worsen, the information you document can
be included in a future consideration of making a report
B. Provide referrals as appropriate. If your non-reportable concerns include an

unmet family need, you can and should provide the family with information
about local resources. You may respond in a number of ways depending on
your knowledge of and relationships with family members. Talk to the family
about your concerns and discuss options for support including referrals to
appropriate support services. You may also provide information regarding
services and resources directly to the family.
If you intend to refer the family to a secondary service and need assistance locating an
appropriate service, you may also consult with Family and Child Connect. You do not
need to complete a referral to Family and Child Connect or provide any identifying
information to Family and Child Connect. Simply call to explain the type of
secondary service you are seeking and any special considerations (i.e. cultural,
transportation, language).
C. Monitor and support child well-being as appropriate. If your professional

role includes an ongoing relationship with the child AND/OR parent, it is
expected that such a relationship will continue regardless of the reporting
decision. It is important to maintain a connection to the family so that if
conditions change, you can reconsider your decision not to report. This
relationship may include monitoring or creating and maintaining a safe space
where the child or parent may make further disclosures about concerns that
may exist or disclose new incidents.
If your professional role does not include an ongoing relationship with the child
AND/OR parent, you are not required to maintain contact.
NOTE: Some circumstances are not reportable because they do not meet the threshold
and yet the child may experience emotional or physical stress. You may be able to
Procedures P age |7
assist the child in learning coping strategies or accessing suitable services, or to foster
trust so that a child will alert you if conditions change.
Consider whether the child and family would benefit from access to other supports or
services, provided through school, health, mental health, justice or housing services.
The consent of the family should be sought when assistance through a referral is being
made or information about a child or their family is being disclosed.
Legislative provisions in regard to information exchange are located in Chapter 5A of

the Child Protection Act 1999.
RELEASE OF INFORMATION
Generally, if a situation is reportable to Child Safety – RIS, the information that you relied on
to answer ‘yes’/’no’ to each question is information that can and should be provided to the
Child Safety Officer (CSO). Seeking permission from the child or family to release
information is not required as this indemnity is provided under the Child Protection Act 1999.
You can and should also provide any information affecting the safety of the child, other
family members or the responding worker. You can and should provide identifying
information as well.
If a report is not indicated, but a referral to a Family and Child Connect, intensive family
support service or a direct referral to services to address the identified needs is recommended,
then consent from the family is required before making these referrals. Certain professionals
from particular prescribed entities under section 159M of the Child Protection Act 1999 do
not require consent from the family for a referral where the child is likely to become a child
in need of protection if no preventative support is provided. However, it is preferable to
obtain consent, if possible. If the child has the capacity and is competent to consent to a
referral for him/herself or the disclosure of his/her information, the child may do so.
PROCESS FOR COMPLETING THE QUEENSLAND CHILD PROTECTION

GUIDE
NOTE: You are encouraged to consult with the child protection advice area within your
agency (if you have access to one)—i.e. your Child Protection Liaison Officer (QH), your
Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) or your Guidance Officer/Senior Guidance
Officer (DETE)—at any time during completion of a decision tree.
1. From the STARTING PAGE, select the decision tree that best represents your
concern for the child. If you have more than one concern, start with the most serious
concern.
NOTE: If the decision is ‘report’, it is NOT NECESSARY to complete any

additional decision trees. Contact the Department of Communities, Child Safety
and Disability Services (Child Safety) and explain ALL of your concerns, even if
you did not complete a decision tree for each one.
2. Start with the first question in the selected decision tree. Apply the definition to the
information known to you and determine whether a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer fits best.
Follow the arrow for either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the next question or to a decision point. In
the online CPG, the definition appears on the right of the screen with every question.
3. Apply the definition provided to EVERY question you are asked.
4. If you arrive at a decision point, proceed to step 6.

Procedures P age |8
5. If you are uncertain whether the best response is ‘yes’ or ‘no’, you should consider the
following steps in the order outlined:
a. You may consult with a professional in your agency, e.g. Child Protection
Liaison Officer/Child Protection Advisor (QH), Child Protection Investigation
Unit (QPS) or Guidance Officer/Senior Guidance Officer (DETE). It is
possible that there is another way to consider the answer or that you already
have sufficient information that a supervisor/colleague could illuminate.
b. Are any other decision trees relevant? If so, complete those.
c. You (or someone from your agency) may attempt to obtain the information
that would determine either a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. This should not be
construed as conducting an investigation, but simply as an effort to help make
a reporting decision. Whether you do this depends on the piece of information
that would help, how easy it would be to gather, your relationship with the
child or parent, your comfort and skill in gathering this information, and your
agency procedures. You may consult with Child Protection Liaison Officer
(QH), Child Protection Investigation Unit (QPS), Guidance Officer/Senior
Guidance Officer (DETE) or Child Safety before deciding whether to attempt
this step. In some instances, the necessary information will not require talking
to family members at all, just checking records or talking with a colleague
who may know the family. If you need to speak with the family, limit this to
the specific piece of information needed, asking the most open-ended question
possible.
d. If, after following the above steps, you lack the information to answer in the
direction that leads to a report (usually a ‘YES’ answer), answer in the
direction less likely to lead to a report (usually a ‘NO’ answer). A report is
required when you have reasonable suspicion a child may be in need of
protection. The absence of enough information to answer the questions
required is a basis for concluding your suspicion has not reached the level of
‘reasonable suspicion’.
6. The decision point at which you arrive will be one that best flows from your
‘yes’/’no’ responses. Please treat this as a GUIDE, not a PRESCRIPTION. You may
be aware of unique circumstances that were not considered during the course of
completing the decision tree. You may:
a. Follow the recommendation;
b. Consider whether to complete an additional decision tree; or
c. Consult with a professional in your agency, e.g. Child Protection Liaison

Officer (QH), Child Protection Investigation Unit (QPS) or Guidance
Officer/Senior Guidance Officer (DETE).
d. State and non-state school staff should also consider mandatory reporting
obligations in relation to sexual abuse or likely sexual abuse in accordance
with ss. 364-366B of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006.

Procedures P age |9
NOTE: Nothing in this guide restricts a professional from contacting the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety). If you do report, and used
the guide, tell the CSO worker about your actual path through the decision tree and the facts
that supported your ‘yes’ and ‘no’, as well as any unique circumstances that led you to
determine that a report was necessary.

Starting Pages P a g e | 10
STARTING PAGES
Welcome to the online Queensland Child Protection Guide (CPG).
The Queensland Child Protection Guide (CPG) is a decision-support guide that has been
collaboratively developed across both the government and non-government sector led by the
Children’s Research Center, USA, to assist professionals to appropriately report or refer
families to Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety)
or other service providers in a timely manner. The CPG was implemented on 23 January
2012 as a 12 month trial and was subsequently expanded across Queensland to support
professionals with decisions around referral pathways for families.
The CPG is intended to complement rather than replace an individual professional’s

critical thinking and does not prohibit a professional from any course of action he/she
believes is appropriate.
If you become concerned that a child known to you in your professional working
capacity is being abused or neglected, or is likely to be abused or neglected, and there
may not be a parent able and willing to protect the child from harm, this CPG is a
resource to help you make a decision about where and to whom to report or refer a
child and his/her family to ensure they receive the supports and services they need in a
timely manner.
1. Start on this page.
2. Select the main decision tree that most closely matches the concern(s) you
have. If you have more than one concern, start with your most serious
concern.
3. After selecting the applicable decision tree, you will be asked questions.
4. It is important to read the accompanying definitions to provide a ‘yes’ or

‘no’ answer until a final recommendation is reached.
5. A decision report can be generated with an explanation of the outcome

based on your completion of the decision tree.
6. The decision report may be printed and/or saved for your records.
NOTE:
If a child has a serious illness or injury requiring immediate medical attention OR a

crime has just been or is about to be committed OR a child has just caused or is about
to cause serious harm to self or others, first call ‘triple 0’ and ask for the appropriate
service to respond to the emergency and/or seek immediate medical or mental health
care.
When the situation is under control, proceed to using this CPG to guide your

Starting Pages P a g e | 11
decision, if required.

Decision Trees P a g e | 12
DECISION TREES
Decision trees for selection include:
 Physical Harm
 Neglect
 Sexual Abuse
 Emotional/Psychological Harm
 Parent Concern
 Pregnant Woman—Unborn Child
If your concern does not fit any of the decision trees and you still have child protection
concerns, it is strongly recommended that you seek advice from your supervisor and
other internal agency resources.
This guide does not restrict a professional reporter from contacting the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety) with concerns
regarding harm or suspected harm to a child or young person.
Decision Tree Use This When:

NOTE:
 If a child has a serious illness or injury requiring immediate medical attention OR a crime has just
been or is about to be committed OR a child has just caused or is about to cause serious harm to self or
others, first call ‘triple 0’ and ask for the appropriate service to respond to the emergency and/or
immediate medical or mental health care.
 When the immediate situation is under control, you may proceed to using this CPG to guide the
decision about whether a report to Child Safety – RIS is required.
 If you are from Queensland Health and are concerned about Fabricated or Induced Illness (FII),
formerly known as Munchausen by Proxy, please consult with a Child Protection Liaison Officer or
Child Protection Advisor rather than proceeding with this guide.
 Whenever you have concerns about a child who is subject to statutory intervention by Child Safety
(including an open investigation and assessment or ongoing intervention with the child and family),
contact the Child Safety–RIS and provide the concerns.
 You know of a non-accidental injury to a child that you suspect was caused by a
parent or other adult household member.
 You know of actions toward a child by a parent or other adult household member
that may have caused or is likely to cause an injury.
 Physical Harm  Child was injured, or nearly injured, during a domestic violence incident
involving adults.
NOTE: If any of the above are true, but the person causing harm is a child and/or
young person living in the home, the decision to report should be guided by whether
the incident was due to neglect: supervision. Please refer to that decision tree. If a
child was injured by a non-household member, the issue may be a police matter.
 You suspect that a parent is not adequately meeting child needs.
 A child appears neglected.
 Neglect
 A child is a danger to self or others and parents are not supervising or providing
care.

Decision Tree Use This When:

 You learn about sexual abuse or have concerns about sexual contact involving a
child.
 A child has medical findings that indicate a suspicion of sexual abuse.
 Sexual Abuse  A child’s behaviour, including sexualised behaviour, makes you worry that
he/she may be experiencing sexual abuse.
 You are concerned that a child is at risk of sexual abuse.
 You are concerned about a child’s problematic sexual behaviour.
 A child appears to be experiencing emotional/psychological distress that is a
result of parental behaviour.
Emotional/Psychological
  A child is a danger to self or others.
Harm
 You are aware of parent behaviours that are likely to result in significant
emotional/psychological harm.
Use this when you are concerned for the welfare of an unborn child after birth.
NOTE: Reports related to an unborn child are not mandatory.
Whilst reports relating to an unborn child are not mandatory, those with mandatory
reporting responsibility should consider the benefits for the mother and unborn child
Pregnant Woman—
 of making a report to:
Unborn Child
 Enable Child Safety and other agencies to mobilise services for the potential
benefit of the mother and unborn child; or
 Enable Child Safety to prepare appropriate statutory/protective intervention
following the birth of the child.
You have information that the child is, or is at risk of, being significantly affected by
one of the following parent concerns; substance abuse, mental health, intellectual or
cognitive disability, domestic violence.
 Parent Concern NOTE: If child has already experienced abuse or neglect, or is an unborn child, use
the relevant abuse/neglect decision tree first. If a report to Child Safety is not
indicated using any of those decision trees, you may consider a parent concern
decision tree.
These descriptions will appear if professional reporter selects ‘NEGLECT’.
Use This When:

 A child has been or is going to be alone and is not able to self-care.
 A child has been abandoned by his/her parent.
 Supervision  A child is in a dangerous care arrangement.
 A child is at risk of harm due to inadequate supervision by the parent.
 A child is a danger to self or others and parent is not providing supervision.
 A child or family is homeless or is at imminent risk of homelessness.
 A child is living in or exposed to a dangerous environment.
Physical
  A child or family is refusing to stay in an available safe place.
Shelter/Environment
 A parent is refusing to provide shelter for a child due to child’s disruptive
behaviour, including upon release from remand.
 Nutrition  A child is not receiving appropriate nutrition.
Medical Care
– Medical Professionals  A child has an untreated/inappropriately treated medical condition. There are two

– Non-Medical trees: one for medical professionals and one for non-medical professionals.
Professionals
 A child has an untreated/inappropriately treated mental health condition.
 Mental Health
 A child is a danger to self or others and parent is not providing intervention.
 A child appears extremely dirty.
 Hygiene/Clothing  A child is wearing clothing that is not adequate for conditions.
 A parent is not attending to the child’s need for personal hygiene and/or clothing.

These descriptions will be displayed if professional reporter selects ‘SEXUAL ABUSE’.
Use This When:

Sexual Abuse
  The child is age 0<16. (Has not reached 16th birthday.)
(Age 0<16 years)
Sexual Abuse
  The young person is age 16 or 17. (Has not reached 18th birthday.)
(Age 16–17 years)
Child Problematic
 You are concerned that a child is exhibiting or has exhibited sexual behaviours
Sexual Behaviour –
 that are interfering with his/her and/or other children’s sense of safety (physical
Self-Directed/Toward
and psychological), social, emotional and/or academic development.
Others
These descriptions will be displayed if professional reporter selects ‘PARENT

CONCERN’.
Use this when you do not have information that a child has been injured, neglected or psychologically harmed, however:
 A child discloses significant substance use by a parent.
 You observe a parent to be significantly impaired by substance use.
 Inappropriate parent substance use is reported to you by a third party.
 Substance Abuse
 A child is born and there is evidence that the child was exposed to alcohol or drugs.
 The parent discloses substance use.
 A child discloses significant parent mental health concerns.

 You observe a parent displaying behaviours that may indicate mental health
 Mental Health
concerns.
 Parent mental health concerns are reported to you by the parent or a third party.
 A child discloses significant parent intellectual or cognitive disability concerns.
 You observe a parent displaying behaviours that may indicate intellectual or
Intellectual and
 cognitive disability concerns.
Cognitive Disability
 Parent intellectual or cognitive disability concerns are reported to you by the parent
or a third party.
 You are aware of an incident of domestic violence (observed by you or reported to
you) that did not result in injury to a child or psychological harm to a child or
 Domestic Violence relates to an unborn child.
 You suspect domestic violence, e.g. observations of power/control dynamics or
threats of harm to adults in household.

PHYSICAL HARM
Are you aware or reasonably

suspicious of a current
injury? (p. 33)
yes no
Does child or another person Are you aware of or reasonably suspicious that parent
(including reporter) say that the or other adult household member has done any of the
injury was caused by parent or other following?
adult household member AND it was  Used a form of discipline that often results in
not accidental? (p. 34) significant harm;
 Acted in a dangerous way toward child that is
yes no likely to result in significant injury, including
during a domestic violence incident;
 Threatened to kill or cause significant injury to
Is the injury Is the injury child; and/or
significant? (p. 35)
yes
suspicious OR is  Planned a genital mutilation. (p. 40)
the explanation yes no
inconsistent OR are
yes there injuries of
no various ages? Report to Does parent or other adult
(p. 36) Child Safety household member have one or
Seek immediate – RIS. more of the following?
medical no  Chronic or escalating pattern
treatment as of discipline that results in
required. Report not required. non-significant injury;
Report to Child  Document decision.  Known history of abuse or
Safety – RIS.  Provide referrals as neglect; and/or
appropriate.  Significant circumstances that
 Monitor and support create volatile behaviour in
child well-being if parent or other adult
Are you aware of a appropriate. household member. (p. 42)
pattern of multiple
injuries OR is child
under age 5 or with no
a disability OR is yes
child refusing/afraid
to go home? (p. 38)
yes no
Are you aware that
family is currently yes
Report to Does the family have
complex and/or benefiting from services Report not required.
Child Safety
or assistance to address  Document decision.
– RIS. multiple needs? (p. 39)
problem? (p. 44)  Provide referrals as
yes no appropriate.
no
 Monitor and support
child well-being if
Direct referral to Is the family willing
Go to intensive appropriate.
services to address to engage in services?
family support (p. 44)
services/ the identified needs.
Family and no yes
Child Connect
tree.
Report to Child Go to intensive family support services/
Safety – RIS. Family and Child Connect tree.

NEGLECT: SUPERVISION
Are you aware that the child is currently alone in circumstances that create danger, or is in a
dangerous care arrangement or will be in the next few days? (p. 46)
yes no
Are you aware of incidents in which the child

Report to Child has been/is being significantly injured/harmed
Safety – RIS. OR narrowly escaped significant injury
because parent was absent or not paying
attention to child? (p. 48)
yes no
During the incident(s), did the Does child appear to be significantly affected
time the child was alone or the by:
level of inattentiveness exceed no  Chronic parent absence or inattentiveness; or
reasonable standards given child’s  Inappropriate care arrangements? (p. 50)
age/development or the
conditions? (p. 48)
yes no
Are you aware that the family is Are you aware that family
refusing or avoiding services OR is currently benefiting from
yes
are you aware of reasons parent services or assistance to
would be unable to remedy address problem? (p. 51)
situation with assistance? (p. 51)
no yes
yes no
Go to intensive Does the family have Report not required.

Report to
Child Safety – family support complex and/or  Document decision.
RIS. services/ multiple needs? (p. 52)  Provide referrals as
Family and appropriate.
Child Connect yes no  Monitor and
tree. support child well-
being as
appropriate.
Go to intensive family support Direct referral to
services/ services to address
Family and Child Connect the identified needs.
tree.

NEGLECT: PHYSICAL SHELTER/ENVIRONMENT
Do you have significant safety Are you aware that a child or

concerns for the family/child due to parent refused or avoided
homelessness or risk of yes opportunity for any assistance? yes Report to
homelessness? (p. 54) Child Safety
OR – RIS.
Is there imminent danger of serious no
harm in the current residence?
(p. 53)
Have appropriate
accommodations been yes
Direct referral to
no secured? (p. 54) services to
no address the
no identified needs.
Has child, family or other Does the family have complex and/or
household member become multiple needs? (p.54)
significantly ill or injured from
structural or environmental yes
Report not required.
concerns or living conditions?
Go to intensive family support services/  Document
OR
Family and Child Connect tree. decision.
Are there structural or
 Provide referrals
environmental concerns or living
as appropriate.
conditions that are likely to yes Are you aware that family is
cause a child significant illness  Monitor and
currently benefiting from yes support child
or injury if not resolved? services or assistance to address
OR well-being as
problem? (p. 56) appropriate.
Is child or family homeless or in
temporary shelter that is not
stable? (p. 55) no
no Are you aware that a child OR Does the family have

parent refused or avoided no complex and/or multiple
opportunity for any assistance? needs? (p. 54)
Report not required. (p. 57)
 Document decision. yes no
 Provide referrals as
appropriate. yes
 Monitor and support child Go to intensive Direct
well-being as appropriate. family support referral to
Report to services/ services
Child Safety Family and to address
Child Connect the
– RIS.
tree. identified
needs.

NEGLECT: NUTRITION
Does child:
 Report persistent hunger;
 Report persistent withholding of food or fluids as a deliberate act;
 Appear thin, frail or listless, or has lost significant weight; or
 Frequently beg/steal/hoard food? (p. 58)
yes no
Are you aware that the family is Are you aware that child:
refusing or avoiding services OR are  Occasionally talks about going
you aware of reasons parent would without food;
be unable to remedy situation with  Occasionally arrives at school
assistance? (p. 59) without food;
 Presents with stale or inedible
yes no food;
 Has difficulty concentrating at
school; and/or
Report to  Reports hunger? (p. 59)
Go to intensive
Child Safety
family support
– RIS. yes
services/ Family and no
Child Connect tree.
Are you aware that family
Report not required. is currently benefiting
 Document yes
from services or
decision. assistance to address
 Provide referrals problem? (p. 60)
as appropriate.
 Monitor and no
support child
well-being as
appropriate. Does the family have
complex and/or
multiple needs? (p. 61)
no yes
Go to intensive family
Direct referral to support services/ Family and
services to address the Child Connect tree.
identified needs.

NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

(A medical professional is a person qualified to make a diagnosis and/or treat the condition being reported.)
Does child require medical care for an ACUTE condition

for which parents did not provide necessary medical Report not required.
treatment? no  Document decision.
OR  Provide referrals as
Does child have a CHRONIC condition requiring ongoing appropriate.
treatment plan AND the plan is not being followed AND  Monitor and support
this is likely to result in significant harm? child well-being as
OR appropriate.
Does the child have a disability and high medical support
needs that are not being met? (p. 62)
yes
Make reasonable efforts to

ensure parent understands
options and consequences.
Is parent’s decision based on yes Provide emergency medical care

conscientious or ideological and/or consider any necessary legal
grounds? (p. 64) action for continuing
care/treatment.
no
Is parent making reasonable effort to address

Have child’s medical needs now
child’s needs? (p. 66)
been met? (p. 65)
yes
no no
Does the family have complex
and/or multiple needs? (p. 65)
Report to yes Report to
Child Child
Safety – Safety – no yes
RIS. RIS.
Go to
Does the family have complex Report not required. intensive
and/or multiple needs? (p. 65)  Document family support
decision. services/
no
 Provide referrals Family and
yes as appropriate. Child Connect
 Monitor and tree.
support child well-
being as
appropriate.
support services/ Family and
Child Connect tree.

NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—NON-MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Does child have a physical health condition that appears to require immediate
attention but care is not being provided? (p. 67)
yes no
Provide first aid and/or seek emergency Does child have a medical
medical care and advise parent. condition or disability that requires
Is parent refusing to provide any ongoing an ongoing medical treatment plan
medical care? (p. 67) that is not being followed? (p. 67)
yes no no
yes
Report to Child Report not required. Report not required.

Safety – RIS.  Document Is parent making  Document decision.
decision. reasonable effort to  Provide referrals as
address child’s needs? appropriate.
 Inform
responding (p. 68)  Monitor and support
medical staff of child well-being as
parent actions or appropriate.
inactions to this no yes
point.
Does the family have complex

Report to Child and/or multiple needs? (p. 68)
Safety – RIS.
yes no
Go to intensive family Direct referral to

support services/ Family and services to address
Child Connect tree. the identified needs.

NEGLECT: MENTAL HEALTH
Is child/young person suicidal OR has

committed or is threatening serious violence
OR is causing significant self-harm? (p. 70)
yes no
Are child’s mental health

If appropriate, seek emergency services symptoms interfering with
assistance (police/ambulance/mental his/her daily activities,
health), do not leave child unattended and performance, relationships or
ensure safety of others. development? (p. 73)
yes no
Are you aware that

parents are refusing to yes Are you professionally
provide or access competent to form an
mental health care that opinion that, if
the child requires? untreated, child’s
(p. 71) mental health
symptoms will worsen
in the next several
yes no months? (p. 74)
Are you aware that lack of

Report to required mental health
Child care is due to reluctance, a
Safety – lack of capacity to no
RIS. participate or
unavailability of services?
(p. 72)
yes no Report not required.

 Document
decision.
Does the family have  Provide referrals
complex and/or multiple as appropriate.
needs? (p. 72)  Monitor child
well-being as
yes no appropriate.

support services/ Family services to
and Child Connect tree. address the
identified needs.

NEGLECT: HYGIENE/CLOTHING
MEDICAL ONLY: Does the child have a medical yes Report to Child
condition caused or exacerbated by inadequate hygiene or
Safety – RIS.
clothing? (p. 75)
no
NON-MEDICAL STARTS HERE: Are you aware that

Is there a pattern or a significant the family is refusing
incident where the child is: or avoiding services
 Filthy/unhygienic; or OR are you aware of
reasons family yes Report to Child
 Inadequately clothed; AND yes
Safety – RIS.
 Child is at considerable risk of would be unable to
needing medical care; or remedy situation
with assistance?
 Child is significantly affected
emotionally and/or behaviourally? (p. 77)
(p. 75)
no
no
Go to intensive family support
services/
 Is the child filthy or unhygienic Family and Child Connect
or especially inadequately tree.
clothed? OR
 Have you observed that the Does the family
child’s clothing and/or hygiene Are you aware that family is
have complex
yes currently benefiting from no
needs are frequently not being and/or multiple
attended to? OR services or assistance to
needs? (p. 79)
 Does the child exhibit emotions address problem? (p. 79)
and/or behaviours that indicate
he/she is upset, embarrassed or yes yes
otherwise affected? (p. 78)
Report not required. Go to intensive
family support
no  Document decision.
services/ no
Family and Child
appropriate.
Report not required. Connect tree.
 Document decision. child well-being as
 Provide referrals as appropriate.
appropriate. Direct referral to
 Monitor and support services to
child well-being as address the
appropriate. identified needs.

SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD (AGE 0<16 YEARS)
Has child made a reasonably clear statement of sexual abuse? (p. 81)
OR
Do you have information that child has a sexually transmitted infection or is pregnant and has
experienced significant harm? (p. 81)
OR
Have you or someone else witnessed sexual abuse of the child, including photos/videos? (p. 82)
OR
Is there someone with access to the child who is a known sex offender or who appears to be
‘grooming’ the child? (p. 82)
yes no
Does the concerning Is the child displaying behaviours that are:

behaviour involve a  Excessive, secretive, compulsive, coercive,
household member or is degrading or threatening?
there reason to suspect a  Characterised by significant age, developmental
household member? and/or power differences between the children
involved? yes no
(p. 82)
 Of concern because of the nature of the activities
yes no and the manner in which they occur?
 OR has the child made an indirect statement of
Is there a parent who sexual abuse? (p. 83)
may be able and willing
Report to yes
to protect the child from
Child further harm? (p. 83)
Safety – Report to Child
no Safety – RIS –
RIS.* yes no RIS.*
Would the child or Report to Is the child displaying behaviours

family benefit from Child that are:
support services? (p. 83) Safety –  Outside ‘normal’ sexual
RIS.* behaviour in terms of
yes no* persistence, frequency or
no inequality in age or
Report not required. developmental abilities?
 Document decision.  Unusual or different for a
 Provide referrals as particular child? (p. 85)
Direct referral appropriate.
to services to  Monitor and support yes
address the child well-being as yes
identified appropriate. Is the parent currently engaged
needs.* with support services? (p. 86)
no
Go to intensive family support yes Does the family have complex

services/ Family and Child and/or multiple needs? (p. 87)
Connect tree.
no
*State and non-state school staff should also consider mandatory Direct referral to services to
reporting obligations in relation to sexual abuse or likely sexual address the identified needs.
abuse in accordance with ss. 364-366B of the Education
(General Provisions) Act 2006

SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG PERSON (AGE 16–17 YEARS)
Has young person made a reasonably clear statement of sexual abuse? (p. 88)
OR
Have you or someone else witnessed sexual abuse of the young person, including photos/videos? (p. 88)
OR
Is there someone with access to the young person who is a known sex offender or who appears to be
‘grooming’ the young person? (p. 89)
OR
Is young person engaged in a sexual relationship that is not consensual, is not fully comprehended or
suggests an inappropriate power differential or age gap? (p. 89)
OR
Is young person engaged in prostitution or pornography? (p. 90)
yes no
Does the concerning behaviour

involve a household member or is
there reason to suspect a
household member? (p. 90)
no yes
Is there a parent who may be able

and willing to protect the young Report not required.
Report to
person from further harm? (p. 90)
Child  Document
Safety – decision.
no yes RIS.*  Provide referrals
as appropriate.
 Monitor and
Report to support child
Would the young or family well-being as
Child Safety benefit from support
– RIS.* no* appropriate.
services? (p. 91)
yes
Direct referral to services to

address the identified needs.*
*State and non-state school staff should also consider

mandatory reporting obligations in relation to sexual abuse or
likely sexual abuse in accordance with ss. 364-366B of the
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006

CHILD PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR—SELF-DIRECTED/

TOWARD OTHERS
Is the child behaving in sexual ways that are:

 Excessive, secretive, compulsive, coercive, degrading or
threatening?
 Characterised by significant age, developmental and/or power
differences between the children involved?
 Of concern because of the nature of the activities and the
manner in which they occur? (p. 92)
no Is the child behaving in sexual ways that

yes are:
 Outside ‘normal’ sexual behaviour in
terms of persistence, frequency or
inequality in age or developmental
Is the parent able and willing
abilities?
to take appropriate action?
(p. 93)  Unusual or different for a particular
child? (p. 94)
yes
no yes* Is there information that

the parent has taken
protective action? (p. 96) no
no yes
Report to
Child Safety Is the parent able and willing to
take appropriate action? (p. 93) no
– RIS*.
Report not required.*
 Document
yes decision.
Does the family have complex and/or as appropriate.
multiple needs? (p. 94)  Monitor and
support child
yes no well-being as
appropriate.

support services/ services to address
Family and Child the identified
Connect tree. needs.
*State and non-state school staff should also consider

mandatory reporting obligations in relation to sexual abuse or
likely sexual abuse in accordance with ss. 364-366B of the
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006

EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM
Do you have reason to believe that the child experiences or is exposed to any of the
following?
 Chronic/severe domestic and family violence;
 Significant parental mental health and/or substance abuse concerns;
 Parental behaviours that are persistent and/or repetitive and have a significant
negative impact on a child’s development, social needs, self-worth or self-esteem;
 Parental criminal and/or corrupting behaviour; and/or
 Parental behaviour that deliberately exposes a child to traumatic events. (p. 97)
yes no
Does the child Report not required.

exhibit emotions  Document decision.
and/or behaviours
 Provide referrals as appropriate.
that indicate the
 Monitor and support child well-being
child is significantly
as appropriate.
affected? (p. 98)
yes no
Report to Does the child exhibit

Child Safety emotions and/or
– RIS. behaviours that indicate
the child is moderately
affected?
(p. 100) no
yes
Is the child afraid Report not required.

to go/remain home
 Document decision.
OR are you
concerned for the
appropriate.
child’s safety at
 Monitor and support child
home? (p. 100)
well-being as appropriate.
no
yes
Report to Are the parents willing or do

Child Safety they have the capacity to engage
– RIS. with services/other supports to
assist the child and family?
(p. 101)
no yes
Report to Go to intensive family support

Child Safety services/
– RIS. Family and Child Connect tree.

PREGNANT WOMAN—UNBORN CHILD
Are you aware of a history of significant abuse or neglect

of siblings of the unborn child OR have siblings been
removed or died in circumstances of abuse or neglect OR
does any household member have a history of significant
abuse against children? (p. 102)
yes no
Report to Are you aware of circumstances that suggest that

Child Safety either parent may be unable to care for baby
– RIS. upon birth?
 Suicidal;
 Self-harming;
 Substance abuse/misuse;
 Mental illness;
 Domestic/family violence;
 Cognitive or intellectual impairment;
 Significant medical condition; and/or
 Homeless. (p. 102)
yes
Are you aware that the

pregnant woman has accepted
referrals to services to
address concerns OR that
other family members will
provide for child’s safety and no
care upon birth? (p. 104)
no
yes
Are you aware of reasons parent

would be unable to remedy
situation with assistance? (p. 104) Report not required.
yes no  Provide referrals as
appropriate.
Report to well-being as appropriate.
Child Safety –
RIS.

PARENT CONCERN: SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Does the parent’s substance abuse impact, or is it likely to impact,

his/her ability to meet the child’s needs and/or does the child’s
behaviour indicate a significant impact of parent’s substance
abuse concern? (p. 105)
yes no
Is there another parent who cares for

and protects the child? (p. 107) Report not required.
yes no appropriate.
child well-being as
Are you aware that the family is currently Report to appropriate.
benefiting from services or assistance to address Child Safety
the substance abuse? (p. 108) – RIS.
yes no
Report to
Has parent refused or yes
Report not required. Child Safety
avoided services that
 Document – RIS.
reduce risk? (p. 108)
decision.
 Provide no
referrals as
appropriate. Does the family have complex
 Monitor and and/or multiple needs? (p. 108)
support child
well-being as no yes
appropriate.
Direct referral to services to Go to intensive family support

address the identified needs. services/ Family and Child Connect
tree.

PARENT CONCERN: MENTAL HEALTH
Does the parent’s mental health concern impact, or is it likely to impact,

his/her ability to meet the child’s needs or does the child’s behaviour
indicate the significant impact of parent’s mental health concern? (p. 110)
yes no
Is there another parent/caregiver

who cares for and protects the child? Report not required.
(p. 112)  Document decision.
yes no appropriate.
Are you aware that the family is Report to
currently benefiting from services or Child Safety –
assistance to address the mental RIS.
illness? (p. 113)
yes no
Has parent refused

Report not required. Does the family have
or avoided no
 Document complex and/or multiple
services?
decision. needs? (p. 114)
(p. 113)
as appropriate. no yes
 Monitor and yes
support child
well-being as Direct referral to Go to intensive family
Report to services to address support services /
appropriate.
Child Safety the identified Family and Child
– RIS. needs. Connect tree.

PARENT CONCERN: INTELLECTUAL OR COGNITIVE DISABILITY
Does the parent’s intellectual or cognitive disability impact, or is it likely to impact,

his/her ability to meet the child’s needs or does the child’s behaviour indicate the
significant impact of parent’s intellectual or cognitive disability? (p. 115)
yes no
Are there indicators that another parent can Report not required.
support the parent with an intellectual or
cognitive disability to care for and protect
the child? (p.116)
appropriate.
 Monitor and support child’s
yes no
Are you aware that the parent Report to

with an intellectual or cognitive Child Safety
disability is currently benefiting – RIS.
from appropriate supports and
services? (p. 117)
yes no
Report not required. Has the parent been unable to no Does the family have
 Document access appropriate supports complex and/or multiple
decision. and services? needs? (p. 118)
 Provide referrals (p. 117)
as appropriate. no yes
yes
 Monitor and
support child Go to intensive
well-being as Report to family support
Direct referral
appropriate. Child services/
to services to
Safety – Family and
address the
RIS. Child Connect
identified
needs. tree.

PARENT CONCERN: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Has there been an incident of domestic violence where one or more

of the following occurred AND a child normally resides in the Report to
home? Child Safety –
 Use of weapon (gun, knife, etc.); RIS.
 Attempt to strangle/suffocate/kill;
yes
 Serious injury to adult;
 Physical injury to a child; If appropriate,
 Serious threat to harm child/adult/self; and/or ensure that police
 Significant escalation in pattern of violence. (p. 119) are called and
incident is
reported.
no
Was a child:
 Attempting to intervene;
 In parent’s arms or close enough proximity to be hurt; yes Report to Child
 Significantly emotionally/psychologically distressed by Safety – RIS.
incident(s); and/or
 The subject of a previous unborn child report related to
domestic violence? (p. 120)
no
Are you aware of the presence of risk

factors including: Report not required.
 Current DVO or family law contact  Document
orders; Are you aware that decision.
 Recent/imminent divorce or the family is currently  Provide referrals
yes benefiting from yes
separation; as appropriate.
 Stalking, extremely controlling services or assistance
 Monitor and
behaviour or sexual assault of a to address domestic
support child
parent; violence? (p. 122)
well-being as
 Aggressor has significant mental appropriate.
health issues or severe alcohol or drug
abuse; or
 One or a combination of additional no
risk factors? (p. 121)
no
Report not required.

 Document
decision. Does the family have complex
 Provide referrals and/or multiple needs? (p.
as appropriate. 123)
 Monitor and
support child yes no
well-being as
appropriate. Direct referral to
support services/ domestic and family
Family and Child violence services.
Connect tree.

FAMILY AND CHILD CONNECT OR INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
Have you obtained consent from the family

to refer directly to services? (p. 124)
yes no
 Is it necessary to conduct further Are you from a particular

identification of family needs prior to prescribed entity? (p. 124)
determining the most appropriate
support service for the family? (p. 125)
yes no
 Is it necessary to conduct Family consent is

no yes further identification of required to refer the
family needs prior to family for support.
determining the most Document your
appropriate support service concerns. Also
for the family? (p. 125) consider:
Refer to an Refer to
 Seeking consent
intensive Family and
from the family
family Child
or
support Connect.
yes no  Providing
service.
information to the
family about
Refer to Refer to an
available
Family and intensive
resources or
Child family
support  Monitoring the
Connect.
service. family.

Physical Harm P a g e | 33
DEFINITIONS
PHYSICAL HARM
Are you aware or reasonably suspicious of a current injury?
ANSWER ‘YES’ IF:
 You see that a child has an injury ranging from a significant bruise (for
example, on torso or head), cut or burn, to a severe injury (including female
genital mutilation).
OR
 You see that a child under age 2 or a child of any age who cannot talk or walk
has any injury.
OR
 You suspect that a child has an injury even if you cannot see it. For example:
» The child is acting as if he/she may have head injuries, such as losing
consciousness, blurred vision or stopped breathing.
» The child is acting as if he/she may have injuries to joints, bones or

muscles, such as limping, holding an arm or leg in an awkward
position or not bearing weight.
» The child tells you he/she has an injury that you are unable to see
because it is covered by clothing.
» The child is acting as if he/she may have internal injuries, such as

being in pain, vomiting, becoming pale or losing consciousness.
» The child is acting as if she may have experienced genital mutilation,

such as being reluctant to be involved in sports/activities she
previously enjoyed, has difficulty toileting or difficulty with
menstruation.
AND
 The injury is current. Include injuries that are present at this time, including
any bruises, regardless of colour. If you are just learning of a prior injury that
has already healed, answer ‘no’.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The child does not appear to have a current injury.
OR

 The child has very minor injuries. Very minor injuries are defined as those that
involve only mild redness, minor welts/scratches/abrasions/bruises to arms or
legs or brief and minor pain. HOWEVER, any injury to a child under age 2 or
a child of any age who is not able to talk or walk should be considered non-
minor and result in a ‘YES’ answer to this question.
OR
 You are just learning of a prior injury that has already healed.
Does child or another person (including reporter) say that the injury was caused by
parent or other adult household member AND it was not accidental?
 The child has provided an account of the injury. The child’s account is that a
parent or other adult household member acted deliberately to cause the injury,
or acted in a way that was likely to cause injury even if he/she had not planned
in advance to cause injury. If the child states that the injury was accidental,
answer ‘no’ even if you remain concerned.
OR
 The child has not provided an account of the injury. The child is nonverbal
(too young, developmentally delayed or, for any reason, is not explaining how
the injury was caused); however, another person (including the reporter) saw
the incident leading to the injury and states that the injury was caused by a
parent or other adult household member acting deliberately or recklessly.
EXAMPLES
Non-Accidental Accidental
 Parent or other adult household member  Parent or other adult household member
said he/she was going to hurt child. injured child while attempting to prevent
 Parent or other adult household member child from greater danger (bruise on arm
said he/she was going to teach child a from grabbing child to prevent child from
lesson. running into traffic; grabbing child by the
 Parent or other adult household member hit arm whilst bathing or changing nappy to
or shook child hard enough to cause injury stop child from falling to the floor).
even though he/she later said he/she did not  Parent or other adult household member
mean it and/or was sorry about it. inadvertently injured child in the course of
 Female genital mutilation. routine care.
 Injuries are inconsistent with explanation
provided.
Non-Adult Household Member Adult Household Member
 A sibling or other child in the home caused  A legal parent or guardian caused the injury.
injury.  An adult who lives in the child’s home
 A child outside of the home caused injury. caused the injury.
 A stranger, teacher, coach, neighbour,  An adult who lives in the home with a
relative who does not live with the child or child’s parent with whom child visits caused
any other adult caused injury. the injury.
NOTE: If injury is caused by a non-adult

household member, consider whether adequate
supervision is being provided.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child reports that injury was caused by someone other than parent/other adult
household member OR if the injury was caused by a parent or other household
member, you have no information that it was intentional.
Is the injury significant?
 The injury, if untreated, would likely result in death, disfigurement or

temporary or permanent loss or impairment of normal functioning. NOTE: If
you are at this question because you answered ‘yes’ to injuries of various
ages, this question applies to any of the injuries, not just the current injury.
OR
 Child less than 2 years of age has any non-accidental injury.
OR
 Child has injuries requiring assessment/treatment, but injuries are not life-
threatening and not likely to result in temporary or permanent disability or
disfigurement.
OR
 Child has injuries that do not require assessment/treatment; however, do not

include very minor injuries. Very minor injuries are defined as those that
involve only mild redness or swelling, minor welts/scratches/abrasions or brief
and minor pain.
Refer to the following table for examples of significant injuries.
Non-Physician/Others—In most instances a

significant injury will require medical assessment
Area of and/or treatment, and a physician will determine
Physician Determined
Injury whether or not the injury is significant. However, a
layperson can reasonably conclude that an injury is
significant if the following circumstances exist
 Skull or facial fractures.  Child lost consciousness.
 Intra-cranial and retinal  Obviously disfigured nose/jaw.
haemorrhage.  Injury to eyes or teeth. For example, eye is
Head  Brain oedema. swollen shut, child has been blinded, teeth have
 Injuries to eyes/teeth. been broken or knocked out.
 Anoxic brain injury.  Bruises or swelling to head, face or ear that require
 Bruises to the pinna. medical assessment or treatment.
 Cervical fracture.  Bruise or redness that goes around neck.
Neck  Injury to pharynx/larynx.  Child is unable to talk normally.
 Ligature marks.

Non-Physician/Others—In most instances a

significant injury will require medical assessment
Area of and/or treatment, and a physician will determine
Physician Determined
Injury whether or not the injury is significant. However, a
layperson can reasonably conclude that an injury is
significant if the following circumstances exist
 Rib or spinal fractures.  Child is coughing/spitting blood.
 Internal organ injuries.  Child is in significant back or abdominal pain.
 Investigation suggests  Child is throwing up, or becoming pale or faint.
Torso
abdominal trauma.  Bruises to back, sternum or stomach.
 Bruises: Deep bruises that are
consistent with internal injuries
even if no internal injuries are
present at this time.
 Broken bones, sprains,  Child is holding an arm or leg in an odd position.
Arms/Legs dislocations.  Child cannot bear weight.
 Ligature marks.
 Burns: All second- and third-  Burns that require medical care, including
degree. cigarette burns.
 Lacerations: All lacerations  Cuts that require stitches.
requiring sutures.  Bruises to stomach, back or head.
Skin
 Bruises: Deep bruises that are  Bruising in non-mobile child, e.g. infant under 6
consistent with underlying months or immobile child with a disability.
haematoma.  Bruises or welts that are in the shape of a hand or
fist or another object.
 Genital damage consistent with Female genital mutilation is suspected for a girl who:
female genital mutilation.  Is reluctant to be involved in sports or other
 Serious damage resulting from physical activities when previously interested;
Other
circumcision of a boy by an  Has difficulties with toileting or menstruation;
unqualified practitioner. and/or
 Has long periods of sickness.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The child’s injury is less severe than those listed in the table. For example,
bruises on an arm or leg that did not require medical treatment.
Is injury suspicious?
OR
Is explanation inconsistent?
OR
Are there injuries of various ages?
 Injury is suspicious. Suspicious injuries are those that are highly correlated
with abuse. In most instances a physician will determine whether or not the
injury is suspicious. However, a layperson can reasonably conclude that an
injury is suspicious, depending on the symptoms.
Refer to the following table for examples of suspicious injuries.

Area of
Physician Non-Physician/Others
Injury
 Torn fraenulum in infant.  Facial bruising to soft tissue of cheek.
 Bruising to earlobe on both  Two blackened eyes.
surfaces and underlying  Cuts to face.
Head
scalp.  Bruising to scalp.
 Constellation of injuries  Bruise to earlobe.
consistent with sudden
impact.
 Scalp haematoma.
Neck  Bruising to neck. Bruising to neck.
 Multiple rib fractures Multiple bruising/lacerations.
Torso (especially posterior).
 Fractures to spine.
 Spiral/oblique fracture.
 Corner fractures.
Arms/Legs  Bucket handle tears.
 Multiple fractures of
different ages.
 Human bite marks.
 Loop marks.
 Multiple linear marks.
 Marks in the shape of another object.
Skin  Cigarette or other contact burns in the shape of an object.
 Stocking pattern burns.*
 Marks that cover circumference (or nearly so) of a limb or neck.
 Multiple bruising of different colours (fresh and fading to yellow) that is not on knees,
shins, elbows or other common areas for accidental bruising.
*Stocking pattern burns are those in which the foot or hand is burned, and the line separating burned from non-
burned skin is relatively consistent. The burned area looks as if there is a stocking or mitten on the foot or hand.
Non-stocking pattern burns have an irregular line separating burned from non-burned skin.
 Explanation is inconsistent. The injury is a type that could be accidental or

purposely inflicted but the explanation given suggests that the injury was not
caused in the manner reported. For example, the developmental age of the
child does not match the explanation of the injury, as in the case of an infant
who is not able to turn over being reported to have been injured whilst moving
about.
Refer to the following table for examples of inconsistent explanations.
Area of
Physician Non-Physician/Others
Injury
 Actual damage is rarely caused by  Report is of a fall but visible injuries are to
amount of force reported (e.g. child non-prominent soft tissue (e.g. report is that
has sheared cranial blood vessels child fell forward, but rather than injury to
and report is ‘I just jiggled baby’, or nose, chin or forehead, injury is to cheek).
Head child has skull fracture crossing
suture lines and report is child fell  Report is of single impact (e.g. a fall) but
off of couch). injuries are on two or more surfaces that
 Report is of single impact but actual could not have been injured in single
damage suggests multiple impacts. contact (e.g. marks on both left and right
Neck jaw). NOTE: A direct blow to nose could
cause blackening of both eyes.
 Internal injuries to non-ambulatory
Torso
child with no history of trauma.
 Broken bones in non-ambulatory
Arms/Legs child with no history of trauma.
 Spiral fracture with no history of
torqueing motion.
 Report of accidental burn from
spilling liquid with no splash marks.
 Report of accidental burn from tap
Skin
water and burn is deeper than
expected given water temperature
and time of exposure.
 Injuries of various ages: There are multiple injuries that appear to have been
caused at different times. Timing of injuries is complicated and is primarily a
determination made by a physician. Many children/young people experience
accidental injuries at different times in their lives, so the mere presence of
injuries or healed injuries of different ages is not, in and of itself, sufficient to
answer ‘yes’.
 Skeletal survey shows at least one prior broken bone for which there is no
known medical history.
 Skeletal survey shows at least one prior broken bone for which there was a
medical history, and in isolation both the current and prior injuries could be
considered accidental. However, the chances of each injury being accidental
are decreased.
AND/OR
 Child/young person has scars in the shape of loop marks, multiple linear
marks, cigarette burns, scars bearing the shape of objects, burn scars in
stocking pattern or bearing the shape of objects AND there is no confirmation
that prior injuries have been reported to Child Safety. (NOTE: Child Safety
will not investigate further if it is confirmed that prior injuries have already
been investigated, unless you have new information about the cause of the
injuries).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Injury is not inherently suspicious OR the history provided by the child/young

person and/or others leads to a reasonable conclusion that the cause was
accidental, and there are no concerning prior injuries.
Are you aware of a pattern of multiple injuries?
OR
Is child under age five or with a disability?
OR
Is child refusing/afraid to go home?

 You are aware of a pattern of multiple injuries. While the current injury is not
significant, the child has had multiple prior injuries.
FOR EXAMPLE:
» Medical history showing a pattern of treatment for injuries that were

reported to Child Safety.
» Medical history showing a pattern of injuries that, considered

individually, were not suspicious, but in combination led the treating
physician to suspect abuse.
» On at least one prior occasion, the reporter questioned child about an

injury, and while child has consistently denied abuse, one of the
following conditions is present:
 Prior injuries have been suspicious.
 Child shows other signs of abuse, such as deterioration in

school performance, withdrawing or aggressive behaviour.
 Reporter is aware of a pattern of domestic violence among

adults in the home including physical and non-physical
violence, or violent criminal and non-criminal acts.
 Child is under age 5 or has a disability. Child has not reached his/her 5th
birthday OR child is over age 5 but has a developmental disability to the
extent that he/she functions below the average for that age range OR child has
a disability to the extent that he/she is unable to initiate self-protective
behaviours.
 Child is refusing/afraid to go home. Child is stating that he/she is afraid to go

home at this time. This may be fear of being harmed again or fear of
retribution for disclosing abuse. It is not necessary that child specifically states
he/she is afraid or refusing to go home if he/she appears extremely anxious
(e.g. tearful, shaking, upset stomach). NOTE: If appropriate, child should be
kept with reporter until Child Safety is able to respond.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 You have no information about previous injuries, the child is over age 5, has
no known disability and the child is not expressing concerns that if he/she
goes home he/she will be injured.
Does the family have complex and/or multiple needs?

 There is at least one complex issue impacting on the child or family’s
wellbeing. Examples of complex issues include, but are not limited to: family

violence, mental illness, substance misuse, learning difficulties, homelessness

and poverty AND/OR;
 More than one issue is impacting on the child or family’s wellbeing.
“YES” may also be considered for a single, non-complex need if the family needs extensive
help to address that need.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The family does not require an intensive case management response but has an
unmet need and would benefit from a direct referral to a support service
targeted at providing support for this need.
Are you aware of or reasonably suspicious that parent or other adult household
member has done any of the following?
 Used a form of discipline that often results in significant harm.
 Acted in a dangerous way toward child that is likely to result in

significant injury, including during a domestic violence incident.
 Threatened to kill or cause significant injury to a child.
 Planned a genital mutilation.
 Parent or other adult household member used a form of discipline that can
often result in significant harm. Based on what child states happened, or what
reporter or another person saw happen, the parent or other adult household
member’s action was likely to cause a significant injury. Include the
following:
» Child was significantly injured but the injury is healed.
» Reporter does not know whether child was injured.
» Child escaped significant injury through the child’s own evasive or

self-protective actions, the intervention of a third party or chance.
AND
 This, in combination with any of the following, was likely to result in

significant physical injury:
» Parent or other adult household member used a disproportionate

degree of force relative to the child’s age/physical size/physical
vulnerability (with or without use of an object).

» Parent or other adult household member hit child in sensitive areas

such as eyes, head, chest/abdomen.
» Parent or other adult household member was out of control while

disciplining child.
» Parent or other adult household member exposed child to extreme

heat/cold for sufficient duration to result in serious harm.
EXAMPLES
Include: Exclude:
While corporal punishment is not endorsed, it

is not prohibited as long as physical force is
not applied to any part of the head or neck of a
child or any other part of a child’s body in a
way that is likely to cause harm to the child
that lasts for more than a short period.
Hit child repeatedly with buckle end of belt that Stinging, but otherwise not injuring, strikes
landed on buttock, upper thighs, lower back. with non-buckle end of belt on buttock.
Parent or other adult household member was Parent or other adult household member
holding child in extremely hot water, but another instantly realised water was too hot and
person intervened within seconds and got child removed child immediately.
out before child sustained burns.
 Parent or other adult household member acted in a dangerous way toward

child that is likely to result in significant injury, including domestic violence.
While parent or other adult household member did not intend to harm child,
his/her dangerous behaviour in the child’s presence showed reckless disregard
for the child’s safety and it was only due to the child’s protective/evasive
behaviour, intervention by a third party or chance that the child was not
significantly injured.
FOR EXAMPLE:
» Domestic/family violence incidents involving at least one parent or

other household member in which child attempts to intervene, is being
held by one parent/other adult household member or is close enough to
be accidentally injured. Consider the range of potential harm created
by parent/other adult household member’s actions. For example, use of
a gun means that a child anywhere in the home could have been
injured; throwing objects means that a child anywhere in the room
could have been injured; a single slap means that a child within arm’s
reach could have been injured. Keeping unsecured weapons increases
danger.
» Parent or other adult household member was driving under the

influence of alcohol or other drugs (and caused or nearly caused an
accident) and children/young people were in the car.
 Parent or other adult household member threatened to kill or cause significant

injury to child. Parent/other adult household member has stated an intent to
kill or cause significant injury to the child in the near future and the reporter

has reasonable belief that without intervention, the child will be significantly
harmed. Reasonable belief may be based on any of the following.
» Known history of confirmed or reported abuse by parent or other adult

household member.
» Reporter personally knows or has been informed that parent or other

adult household member has a history of violent behaviour, substance
abuse or mental illness.
» Child exhibits significant fear of parent/other adult household member
and/or reports prior instances of being injured by parent/other adult
household member.
AND
» Threat is to cause a significant injury and/or use a form of discipline

that often results in significant harm.
 Circumstances suggest that genital mutilation is planned.
ANSWER ‘YES’ FOR A GIRL IF:
 She is having a special operation associated with celebrations.
 She is anxious about forthcoming school holidays or a trip to a country that

practices female genital mutilation (FGM).
OR
 Older siblings are worried about their sister visiting their country of origin.
ANSWER ‘YES’ FOR A BOY IF:
 A circumcision is planned using an unqualified practitioner.
Does parent/other adult household member have one or more of the following?
 Chronic or escalating pattern of discipline that results in non-significant

injury
OR
 Known history of abuse or neglect
OR
 Significant circumstances that create volatile behaviour in parent or other

adult household member.

 Parent or other adult household member has chronic or escalating pattern of

discipline that results in minor injury. Though child does not have a current or
past significant injury that reached the threshold of concern, the parent or
other adult household member regularly uses discipline that causes minor
injuries such as redness or swelling to child’s torso, buttocks, arms or legs.
Include longer (six months or more) consistent patterns of minor injury as well
as patterns of any period where the frequency or severity is increasing. Also
include single incidents involving children under the age of 2.
NOTE: In isolation, one incident may not be enough to be a concern, but taken
together, they may reach the threshold.
 Known history of abuse/neglect. Reporter knows that a current parent or other

adult who is a current household member has abused or neglected a child prior
to the current concern. This may be based on knowledge of a confirmed prior
report, or knowledge that services were initiated in response to abuse or
neglect (for example, family support or other service intervention).
 Significant circumstances that create volatile behaviour in parent or other adult

household member.
» Parent or other adult household member has significant:
 Alcohol or other drug use. Reporter has information that parent

or other adult household member uses alcohol or other drugs to
an extent that he/she becomes agitated, volatile, violent;
 Mental health concerns. Reporter has information that parent or

other adult household member is diagnosed with or has
symptoms of mental illness that have already increased or are
likely to increase aggressive/violent behaviour; or
 Domestic/family violence. Reporter has information that parent

or other adult household member is an aggressor in a violent
relationship with another adult.
» Child has significant behavioural issues. The child persistently acts in

ways that escalate parent/other adult household member violence.
NOTE: This does not mean that abuse is the child’s fault. This is
simply identifying a behaviour pattern that increases the risk of
significant harm.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 There has been a single incident resulting in minor injury or multiple incidents
that never result in any injury.
OR
 There are no circumstances that give risk to volatile behaviour by parent/other

adult household member (that is, no known history of abuse/neglect, parent

alcohol or drug abuse, mental health or domestic violence issues) and no

significant behavioural issues in child.
Are you aware that family is currently benefiting from services or assistance to address
problem?
 You or another person have already had a conversation with parent or other
adult household member about your concerns and have provided resources for
effective services/interventions, or the family has sought services on their
own. This may include parenting classes that focus on discipline, anger
management or consultation with relative or mentor about effective parenting.
AND
 Parent/other adult household member has agreed to services or assistance, and

based on time elapsed, is making progress toward reducing risk of harm to
child. For example, parent/other adult household member is instituting
alternative forms of discipline, working on alternatives to violence or
addressing contributing factors such as substance abuse, mental health or
domestic violence.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent/other adult household member has refused services, indicated

acceptance of services but after a reasonable period of time has not engaged in
services or, having engaged in services, is not effectively using services to
reduce risk of harm to child.
OR
 You have no information about whether parent/other adult household member

has been offered or engaged in services.
Is the family willing to engage in services?
 You or another person have had a conversation with the parent or other adult
household member about your concerns and he/she indicated his/her
willingness to engage with a support service.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 You or another person have had a conversation with the parent or other adult
household member about your concerns and the parent/other adult household
member has declined the offer of support services.

Neglect: Supervision P a g e | 45
NEGLECT: SUPERVISION
Are you aware that the child is currently alone in circumstances that create danger, or
is in a dangerous care arrangement or will be in the next few days?
You have information that the child is currently alone or will be alone at some point over the
next few days AND, based on the child’s age/developmental level, length of time expected to
be alone and circumstances, the child will be in danger. Consider the individual child and
ways the parent may have prepared the child to manage independently. Consider the
availability of other responsible adults in the community to assist the child if needed.
EXAMPLES:
 A young and/or vulnerable child is found alone on street and cannot provide
directions to his/her residence.
 The young and/or vulnerable child is without supervision due to the parent’s
refusal to provide supervision OR the parent has stated a clear intention not to
provide the child with supervision effective immediately.
 Child is alone in a car in temperatures that create danger. (NOTE: A child may
be at risk of significant harm if left in a car during warm or cool temperatures
even if windows are left partially open).
 Parent made arrangements for another person who poses a danger to the child
to supervise or provide care for the child. For example, someone who is
currently under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, mentally ill,
intellectually impaired or physically impaired to the extent that he/she cannot
meet child’s basic needs or keep child safe; someone who is a known or highly
suspected perpetrator of sexual abuse; or someone who has previously caused
serious physical harm to children in his/her care.
 A sibling who is present is physically or emotionally abusive to child to the

extent that the child has been significantly harmed by the sibling.
 Parent has failed to collect child from agreed upon care arrangements or
health/education facility and multiple attempts to contact him/her or
nominated/alternative contacts have been unsuccessful OR parent is unwilling
to collect child and no alternative arrangement has been/can be made.
Child MAY be considered in danger if left alone in dangerous circumstances dependent on

the environmental context, the age and the individual characteristics of the child. For
example, a toddler who is unable to swim should not be unattended near water. The greater
the environmental risk, the shorter the time a child should be unattended. The circumstances
listed provide examples of conditions that, if present, may mitigate risk.
In Queensland, it is a criminal offence to leave a child under 12 unattended for an

unreasonable period of time without arranging for the child’s reasonable supervision.
However, what is an ‘unreasonable amount of time’ and what is ‘reasonable supervision’

needs to be considered in each case individually and would depend upon circumstances
including the child’s age, level of maturity, the environment the child is in and the
circumstances in which the child is left.
This does not mean that a child under 12 must be constantly within sight and hearing of an
adult supervisor. The below table provides some guidance about what may generally be
considered age- and developmentally-appropriate circumstances and supervision levels.
Examples of Circumstances and Appropriate Supervision Levels

Age/Developmental Age of
Safe Circumstances
Oldest Child
 Parent may leave child briefly unattended when another responsible
adult is present.
 Child is asleep or in safe setting generally within hearing or sight of
Infant/Toddler an adult (e.g. play pen, child seat, protected area) while parent
attends to other responsibilities, including self-care.
 Child is left with appropriate adult supervision during the evening
while parents are not at home.
Preschool  Parent attends to other responsibilities, including self-care, for
periods of time up to approximately 15 minutes as child is asleep or
quietly playing in safe circumstances.
Ages 5–7  Child is left with appropriate adult supervision during the evening
 Child is in safe circumstances with an adult present in the
household and has been given instructions child is capable of
following including remaining where he/she is while parent attends
Ages 8–9 to other responsibilities, including self-care for periods up to one
hour.
 There is a back-up responsible adult available to child who is
accessible, on call and able to give assistance for periods up to two
Ages 10–13 hours.
 There is a back-up responsible adult available to child.
Ages 14–15  Child has demonstrated ability to self-supervise for periods of time
up to 24 hours.
 Assess safety based on young person’s capacity to live
Ages 16–17 independently. Refer to ‘Lack of Shelter’ decision tree if needed for
periods of time more than 24 hours.
 Assess safety based on the level of disability and the nature of the
Child with a disability
child’s care needs.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child is not alone or unattended CURRENTLY and there is no known plan for
the child to be alone in the next few days.
OR
 Child is, or will be, alone; however, based on child age/developmental status,
amount of time and circumstances, the situation (even if undesirable) is not
imminently dangerous.

Are you aware of incidents in which the child has been/is being significantly
injured/harmed or narrowly escaped significant injury because parent was absent or
not paying attention to child?
Either of the following is true:
 Parent was not present at time of injury/incident.
 Parent was present, but not paying attention to impending danger such as a
child walking toward a street, ledge or body of water; a child playing with or
near fire or dangerous objects/chemicals/drugs (prescribed or not). Parent’s
inattention may be related to being under the influence of legal or illegal
substances; depression; or may be due to distraction by television, Internet,
reading, conversation, texting, household chores or any other distraction.
AND
Either of the following is true:
 Child was significantly injured/harmed. This includes any injury that required
professional medical treatment (or should have received medical treatment,
even if treatment was not given or is pending).
Include near drowning, ingestions and injury/harm inflicted by sibling or

other child in household.
OR
 An incident occurred that would often result in significant injury/harm, but

child escaped harm through intervention by a third party or chance.
The slightest possibility of harm is not sufficient to answer ‘yes’, but

answering ‘yes’ does not require certainty. If it is more likely than not that a
significant injury would occur, answer ‘yes’. Probability increases with
frequency, so that a single, brief episode may have a low chance of injury, but
the chances go up as child is left alone/unattended longer/more often.
During the incident(s), did the time the child was alone or the level of inattentiveness
exceed reasonable standards given child’s age/development or the conditions?
NOTE: It is understood that no parent has direct attention with a child, even an infant, every
minute of the day, and that sometimes tragic accidents happen in brief periods during which
attention is directed elsewhere. The fact that an accident occurred while a parent was not
looking does not necessarily constitute neglect.
 Parent was present but did not pay direct attention to child, meaning parent did
not look at, interact with or have contact with the child for a period of time

that is unreasonable for child’s age/development and the conditions based on

the table below.
OR
 Child was alone for length of time/conditions exceeding guidelines based on

the table below. Based on the child’s age/developmental level, length of time
expected to be alone and circumstances, the child was in danger.
Child MAY be considered in danger if left alone in dangerous circumstances dependent on

the environmental context, the age and the individual characteristics of the child. For
example, a toddler who is unable to swim should not be unattended near water. The greater
the environmental risk, the shorter the time a child should be unattended. The circumstances
listed provide examples of conditions that, if present, may mitigate risk.
In Queensland, it is a criminal offence to leave a child under 12 unattended for an

unreasonable period of time without arranging for the child’s reasonable supervision.
However, what is an ‘unreasonable amount of time’ and what is ‘reasonable supervision’
needs to be considered in each case individually and would depend upon circumstances
including the child’s age, level of maturity, the environment the child is in and the
circumstances in which the child is left.
This does not mean that a child under 12 must be constantly within sight and hearing of an
adult supervisor. The below table provides some guidance about what may generally be
considered age- and developmentally-appropriate circumstances and supervision levels.

Safe Circumstances
Oldest Child
 Parent may leave child briefly unattended when another responsible
adult is present.
 Child is asleep or in safe setting generally within hearing or sight of
Infant/Toddler an adult (e.g. play pen, child seat, protected area) while parent
attends to other responsibilities, including self-care.
Preschool  Parent attends to other responsibilities, including self-care, for
periods of time up to approximately 15 minutes as child is asleep or
quietly playing in safe circumstances.
Ages 5–7  Child is left with appropriate adult supervision during the evening
 Child is in safe circumstances with an adult present in the household
and has been given instructions child is capable of following
including remaining where he/she is while parent attends to other
Ages 8–9
responsibilities, including self-care, for periods up to one hour.
 There is a back-up responsible adult available to child who is
accessible, on call and able to give assistance for periods up to two
Ages 10–13 hours.
 There is a back-up responsible adult available to child.
Ages 14–15  Child has demonstrated ability to self-supervise for periods of time
up to 24 hours.


Safe Circumstances
Oldest Child
 Assess safety based on young person’s capacity to live
Ages 16–17 independently. Refer to ‘Lack of Shelter’ decision tree if needed for
periods of time more than 24 hours.
 Assess safety based on the level of disability and the nature of the
Child with a disability
child’s care needs.
Does child appear to be significantly affected by chronic parent absence or

inattentiveness or inappropriate care arrangements?
 Child shows significant adverse effects such as the following:
Age/Developmental Age of Child Significant Adverse Effects (examples)

Recurrent episodes of serious, unintentional injury/harm in
All Ages
circumstances where supervision has been an issue.
 Symptoms of non-organic failure to thrive.
 Delays reaching developmental milestone and no medical
reasons for delay are identified.
Infant/Toddler
 Child does not seem attached to caregiver.
 Injuries and accidents related to lack of appropriate
supervision.
 Language delays with no other explanation.
Preschool  Child is not learning age-appropriate self-care such as
brushing teeth; cannot assist in dressing self.
 Child is not developing social skills.
Ages 5–9  Child is frequently out of control.
 Child is extremely clingy with other adults.
 Child is getting involved in dangerous, risky and/or
Ages 10–13 illegal behaviours.
 School refusal.
 Illegal behaviour, high risk sexual activity, alcohol/drug
Ages 14–17 abuse and self-harm.
 Disengagement from education/training.
AND
 There is a pattern of parent being persistently inattentive or leaving child alone

or in dangerous company. Length of time a child is alone or unattended may
be less than timeframes in above tables, but child has been alone/unattended
on multiple occasions. This includes a child who is unattended by a parent and
creates companionship with others who are having significant and prolonged
negative effects on the child (i.e. involving child in significant alcohol or drug
use, offending behaviour).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child is not showing significant adverse effects despite periods of parent

absence or inattentiveness. Child may express hopes or wishes for increased
parent availability; however, child is coping with minimal impact.

Are you aware that the family is refusing or avoiding services OR are you aware of
reasons parent would be unable to remedy situation with assistance?
 You or another person has had a conversation with the parent about the way
lack of supervision is adversely affecting child.
AND
 Parent states he/she will not increase the level of supervision.
OR
 After a reasonable period of time parent has continued to provide inadequate

supervision.
OR
 You are aware that the parent has substance abuse, mental health or domestic
violence issues to the extent that it is unsafe for reporter to have conversation
with parent, or after having a conversation with the parent, you become aware
that these or other issues exist to an extent that the family is unlikely to engage
in non-statutory services.
problem?
 You or another person have already had a conversation with parent about your
concerns and have provided resources for effective services/solutions, or the
family has sought services/solutions on their own. This may include child care
(formal or informal), solutions to reduce the time parent needs to be away or
ways to increase the capability of child for self-care.
AND
 Parent has agreed to services or assistance, and based on time elapsed since
services were recommended, is making progress toward reducing risk of harm
to child.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent has indicated acceptance of resources/services but after a reasonable

period of time has not engaged in services; or, having engaged in services, is
not effectively using services to reduce risk of harm to child.
OR

 You have no information about whether parent has been offered or engaged in
resources/services or has attempted solutions.
 There is at least one complex issue impacting on the child or family’s wellbeing.
Examples of complex issues include, but are not limited to: family violence,
mental illness, substance misuse, learning difficulties, homelessness and poverty
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Neglect: Physical Shelter/Environment P a g e | 52
NEGLECT: PHYSICAL SHELTER/ENVIRONMENT
Do you have significant safety concerns for the family/child due to homelessness or risk
of homelessness?
OR
Is there imminent danger of serious harm in the current residence?
 The child/family has no residence, or is about to lose their residence AND:
» The child/family cannot protect child from danger from violent or

sexual crime or current harsh weather, or child needs medicine or
medical devices that require refrigeration or electricity.
» The child/family is staying in temporary shelter or housing (e.g. car,

boarding house) that exposes them to danger from violent or sexual
crime.
» A child or family who has access to a safe place to stay but who
refuses to stay there is considered to have no safe place to stay.
 The physical structure is likely to result in a serious injury or illness to the

child in the near future. For example:
» Exposed electrical wiring;
» Extremely dangerous objects/materials accessible to the child (e.g.

chemicals, power equipment, guns, knives, medication, illegal
substances);
» House has been condemned by an engineer or other appropriate

authority;
» Significant amounts of animal/human faeces litter the premises;
» Biohazard is present;
» Child needs medical devices or refrigerated medicine and has no

access to electricity; and/or
» The physical environment exacerbates the child’s existing serious

medical conditions.
 NOTE: Families may stay in residences such as caravan parks, shelters,

hotels or other atypical environments. Answer ‘yes’ only if these residences
create imminent danger according to the definition above.

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child/family is sharing a residence with others by mutual agreement and this

arrangement is stable.
 Child/family’s current residence does not pose imminent danger of serious

harm.
Are you aware that a child or parent refused or avoided opportunity for any assistance?
 You are aware that the child/family has refused to accept or engage with a
service provider to address the concerns about the physical shelter/living
conditions.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child/family is engaged with services, even if the family’s choice of service

provider is different from what was recommended.
Have appropriate accommodations been secured?
 Appropriate shelter that will keep the child/family safe has been secured, for at
least the next several days whilst longer-term solutions can be found.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Has child/family or other household members become significantly ill or injured from
structural, or environmental concerns or living conditions?
OR
Are there structural or environmental concerns or living conditions that are likely to
cause child significant illness or injury if not resolved?
OR
Is child or family in temporary shelter that is not stable?
Significant illness or injury:
 You are aware that a child is receiving or has previously received medical
treatment for a significant illness or injury that was caused by conditions in the
home such as exposure to faecal material, rotting food, insect/rodent
infestation or dangerous objects/materials (e.g. poisons, medications, exposure
to chemicals).
NOTE: If you are uncertain whether an illness or injury was CAUSED by

conditions in the home, consult with a supervisor or a medical professional.
 You are aware that an adult is receiving or has previously received medical
treatment for any of the above and you know that a child in the household is
exposed to the same conditions.
Structural or environmental concerns. The child lives in a residence that is likely to cause
significant illness or injury to the child because of any of the following:
 Hygiene is significantly compromised. For example, human or animal

faeces/urine is not routinely eliminated; there is insect/rodent infestation; no
access to facilities to bathe; no access to facilities to launder.
 Objects/clutter create significant danger. For example, significant fire hazard

exists, or child has easy access to dangerous objects/materials such as
medications, poisons, rotten food, guns, illicit drugs/alcohol or
matches/lighters.
 Sleeping arrangements create serious danger. For example, a newborn baby

sleeps on the couch.
Base answer on your direct observations of the residence or credible statements by the child
or another person who has seen the residence, or in some instances, on your observations of
the RESULTS of exposure to the following. Consider child’s vulnerability (age,
development, medical issues). For example, older children can make decisions to avoid

isolated dangers; infants are not expected to crawl or walk; mobile toddlers are exploratory
and not aware of danger; children with asthma are more vulnerable to air quality issues.
Homeless/temporary shelter. The child/family does not have a permanent residence and:
 The accommodation places the child in circumstances that are likely to

damage the child’s physical/psychological health or threaten safety. Consider:
» Vulnerability of child (age, development, medical needs);
» Capability of parent to access resources and protect child; or
» Environmental safety (physical hazards, exposure to violent and/or

sexual crime, climate extremes).
 The accommodation is temporary and not sustainable.
problem?
 You or another person have already had a conversation with child and/or
parent about your concerns and have provided resources for effective
services/interventions, or they have sought services on their own. This may
include help clearing the residence of dangers, or a relative providing adequate
housing.
AND
 Child and/or parent has agreed to services or assistance, and based on time
elapsed since services were recommended, is making progress toward
reducing risk of harm to child.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
Child and/or parent has refused services; indicated acceptance but after a reasonable period of
time has not engaged in services; or having engaged in services, is not effectively using
services to reduce risk of harm to child. This may be evidenced by the following:
 Conditions in the residence are not improving.

 Child/family is not in a stable living situation.
Are you aware that a child or parent refused or avoided opportunity for any assistance?
 You are aware that the child/family has refused to accept or engage with a
service provider to address the concerns regarding physical shelter/living
conditions.

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child/family is engaged with services.

Neglect: Nutrition P a g e | 57
NEGLECT: NUTRITION
Does the child:

 Report persistent hunger;
 Report persistent withholding of food or fluids as a deliberate act;
 Appear thin, frail or listless or has lost significant weight; or
 Frequently beg/steal/hoard food?
 Child reports persistent hunger. Reporter has had contact with or knowledge of
child who frequently mentions hunger, appears hungry, or describes routinely
inadequate food intake. Children with complex communication needs may
have difficulty expressing hunger. Be aware that severe dehydration and
malnutrition can inhibit crying.
DO NOT REPORT: A child who is reporting feeling hungry between

adequate meals or a child who mentions being hungry but shows no signs of
effects of inadequate diet.
 Child reports persistent withholding of food or fluids as a deliberate act. Child

mentions or reporter otherwise learns that parent routinely withholds meals or
limits meals to nutritionally inadequate amounts/types of food for example,
only bread and water. ‘Routinely’ suggests that this has happened more than a
single incident and is a standard form of discipline or feeding in the
household.
DO NOT REPORT: Withholding snacks, sweets or desserts as discipline, or a

one-off decision to withhold a meal in a child over the age of 5 who is
otherwise healthy.
 Child appears thin, frail, listless or has lost significant weight. A child appears
to be unusually thin, less energetic than is typical or shows other symptoms of
malnutrition including but not limited to thinning hair, bloating abdomen, or
bleeding gums, and you are not aware of any known medical condition that
could be causing this.
 Child frequently begs/steals/hoards food. Child engages in unusual food-

seeking behaviours that may include frequently going to others to beg for
food; stealing food from classmates or stores; and/or creating caches of food in
hiding places that he/she may eat later or may forget.
DO NOT REPORT: Asking for or stealing food where the purpose appears to
be unrelated to alleviating unremitting hunger; child keeping some secret
snacks or treats.
NOTE: If your concern is related to a child who is extremely overweight, answer ‘no’, but
encourage family to obtain a medical evaluation. Medical staff will determine whether a
report is indicated. If the family will not seek medical evaluation, unless there is a medical
condition, even extreme obesity is not likely reportable. You may discuss with your supervisor
or consult with Child Safety – RIS.

Are you aware that the family is refusing or avoiding services?
OR
Are you aware of reasons parent(s) would be unable to remedy situation with
assistance?
 You have discussed your concerns about the child with his/her parent and the
parent refuses to pursue a medical evaluation or other resources/services;
 Despite reasonable efforts, parent has not engaged in conversation with you
about your concerns;
 Parent has agreed to medical evaluation or other resources/services but has not
followed through within a reasonable timeframe;
 You have discussed your concerns with the parent and, in the course of the
discussion or from any other source, have learned that the parent has
significant barriers to accepting available voluntary supports. For example, the
parent’s current substance abuse or mental health issues are so severe that
he/she will be unable to follow through with provided resources; or
 Based on information available to you, you consider it unsafe for you or for
the child to initiate a conversation with the parent about your concerns.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 You have no information about potential barriers to parent participation in

service referrals or the information you have suggests that voluntary remedies
are likely to resolve the concern.
OR
 Parent provides plausible explanation for child’s appearance/actions and

parent is providing appropriate intervention. For example, child’s appearance
is explained as due to underlying disease, or lack of food is due to poverty
alone.
OR
 There are barriers such as transportation, language or financial resources that

can be addressed with community supports and the parent is willing to accept
these supports.
Are you aware that the child:
 Occasionally talks about going without food;

 Occasionally arrives at school without food;
 Presents with stale or inedible food;
 Has difficulty concentrating at school; and/or

 Reports hunger?
Without a plausible explanation1:
 Child arrives at school with no breakfast, or without lunch and has no means to
secure lunch more than just a few times, but shows no other signs of
malnutrition;
 Child is provided food, but it is stale or inedible; and/or
 Child is struggling to concentrate or take in new information and there is no

reason to believe this is caused by learning disability, attention deficit
disorder, emotional distress or other social or environmental causes.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 There has been a single incident of child going without eating, no more than a
few incidents of child arriving at school without lunch, or child’s lack of
concentration is likely related to reasons other than lack of nutrition.
1
For example, child is prone to losing his/her lunch money, or is being bullied by theft of
lunch or lunch money; family's cultural practice does not include typical 'lunch' but child's
nutritional needs are being met.
Are you aware that the family is currently benefiting from services or assistance to
address problem?
concerns and have provided resources for effective services/solutions or the
family has sought services/solutions on their own. This may include referral to
an agency that provides emergency relief funds or food vouchers, advice on
child’s nutritional needs, etc.
AND
 Parent has agreed to services or initiated solutions, and based on time elapsed
since services were recommended, has engaged in services and is making
progress toward improving the child’s nutrition.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent has indicated acceptance of resources/services but after a reasonable

period of time has not engaged in services; or, having engaged in services, is
not effectively using services to reduce risk of harm to child.
1
For example, child is prone to losing his/her lunch or lunch money, or is being bullied by theft of lunch or lunch money;
family’s cultural practice does not include typical ‘lunch’ but child’s nutritional needs are being met.

OR
 You have no information about whether parent has been offered or engaged in
resources/services or has attempted solutions.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Neglect: Medical Care—Medical Professionals P a g e | 61
NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Medical professional is someone qualified to diagnose and/or treat the condition being
reported.
Does child require medical care for an ACUTE condition for which parents/carers did
not provide necessary medical treatment?
OR
Does child have a CHRONIC condition that requires an ongoing treatment plan AND
the plan is not being followed (OVER-treating or UNDER-treating, including not
keeping medical appointments) AND this is likely to result in significant harm?
OR
Does the child have a disability and high medical support needs that are not being met?
 The child has an illness or injury.
AND
 If this illness or injury goes untreated, the result will likely be death,
disfigurement, loss of bodily function or prolonged significant pain and
suffering.
AND
 The parents/carers are providing no care, insufficient care, a lack of timely

care or inappropriate care even though the medical professional has explained
the concerns to the family, discussed the options, including any religious or
ideological grounds for refusal, and the consequences of inaction.
» No care. Parents/carers may or may not be providing home care, but

the child’s condition requires immediate professional medical care.
Consider whether most parents/carers would seek professional medical
care for the same condition and/or whether most physicians would
recommend immediate professional medical care. An indicator that
home care is inadequate would be that the child’s condition is
worsening.
DO NOT REPORT: Illness or injury that would commonly be treated

at home even if medical intervention may be helpful (e.g. minor cuts,
small first- or second-degree burns, colds and brief episodes of flu or
fever in an otherwise healthy child).
» Insufficient care. Parents/carers have sought medical evaluation and

care and a physician or other qualified medical professional has

prescribed a treatment plan, but the parents/carers are not following the
plan to the extent that the child’s recovery is compromised.
DO NOT REPORT: Deviations from plan that, while not desirable,

cannot be demonstrated to have significantly compromised or be likely
to significantly compromise child’s recovery. For example, missing a
dose of medication with no negative results or missing a follow-up or
final check-up when all indications are child was progressing
satisfactorily.
» Inappropriate care. Parents/carers may have sought medical evaluation
and care, but
 Delayed care to the extent that child’s condition is now critical

or child is more likely to have increased suffering or lasting
harm, OR;
 Are adding or substituting alternative treatments that are having

or are likely to have a significant and imminent adverse effect
on child’s health. Inappropriate health-seeking behaviours may
involve unnecessary, invasive medical procedures.
OR
 Child has a medical condition that requires ongoing treatment (e.g. diabetes,
asthma, Crohn’s disease, cystic fibrosis, or child requires feeding tube,
ventilation or other medical devices).
AND
 Parents/carers are providing no care, inadequate care or inappropriate care.
» No care. Parents/carers are completely disregarding recommended

medical treatment plan. They may be providing home or alternative
care.
» Inadequate care. Parents/carers are following parts of the medical

treatment plan, but are not following substantial portions of the plan.
» Inappropriate care. Parents/carers may be following the medical

treatment plan, but are also providing additional interventions that are
detrimental to the child. Include parent who seeks repetitive invasive
procedures or seeks invasive treatments that are harming rather than
helping child who may have no underlying condition.
AND
 As a result, child is experiencing increased pain/suffering OR is at increased

risk of acute complications OR ultimate lifespan of child will likely be
shortened.
OR

 Child has complex health needs and/or a disability that requires ongoing care
including medical care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy,
ventilation, or supplemental nutritional feeding that is not being provided to
the extent that the child’s ability to develop to the best of his/her capacity is
being significantly limited.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child’s condition is such that with or without treatment, the outcomes will be
similar.
OR
 The proposed treatment is experimental or is not considered to be standard of

care.
OR
 While child may fare marginally better with treatment, the burden of treatment
is substantial and many parents/carers would opt out of treatment in similar
circumstances.
NOTE: Before proceeding to the next question, it is essential to make reasonable efforts to
ensure that the parent understands available options and consequences.
Is parent’s decision based on conscientious or ideological grounds?
 The parent is able to clearly express understanding of the child’s condition,

treatment options and consequences of treating vs. not treating AND the
parent states that the reason he/she is choosing to not follow the plan is based
on religious beliefs or other ideological grounds AND there are no other child
protection concerns.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parents are unable and/or unwilling to meet the child’s medical needs and
make no claim of religious or ideological basis for their decision.
OR
 Parents profess a conscientious or ideological basis for the decision to not

follow the treatment plan, however, medical professional has additional child
protection concerns.
NOTE: Provide emergency medical care and/or consider any necessary legal action for
continuing care/treatment.

Have child’s medical needs now been met?
 After providing emergency medical care and/or legal action, all medical needs
of the child are met and there are no additional child protection concerns.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Emergency care and/or legal remedies have not resolved the child’s ongoing
need for medical care, which parents continue to refuse based on conscientious
or ideological grounds.
NOTE: If additional child protection concerns remain, please consult the relevant decision
tree.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
Is parent making reasonable effort to address child’s needs?

 Parent has been provided clear explanation of child’s condition, available

treatment and consequences of lack of treatment AND information available
indicates that parent is taking little or no action to follow the treatment plan
despite efforts of treatment providers, other professionals or other supports to
assist the family to overcome any barriers to following the plan.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent does not have a clear understanding of the child’s condition, available
treatment or the consequences of lack of treatment, but the parent is willing to
learn more about child’s condition, treatment options and consequences, or to
discuss ways to consistently follow treatment plan.
OR
 Parent is making his/her best efforts to follow the treatment plan, but is
experiencing barriers beyond his/her control such as lack of access to services,
lack of knowledge about available services, transportation issues or other
logistical barriers.

Neglect: Medical Care—Non–Medical Professionals P a g e | 66
NEGLECT: MEDICAL CARE—NON-MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS
Does the child have a physical health condition that appears to require immediate care
but care is not being provided?
 The child’s condition is in need of immediate medical care that is not being
provided. The reporter confirms with Queensland Ambulance Service/medical
professional, takes action, and advises parent.
 The parent is stating they do not intend to seek medical care or parent unable
to organise care for any reason (e.g. substance abuse, mental illness,
developmental disability or cannot understand need for care or cannot make
necessary arrangements for care).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
Parent was unable to be contacted at time of decision to seek treatment. There is no evidence
of inappropriate parenting behaviour previously.
NOTE: Before proceeding to the next question, provide first aid and/or seek emergency
medical care and advise parent.
Is parent refusing to provide any ongoing medical care?
 The parent is stating that he/she does not intend to seek medical care or
evaluation, or parent is unable to organise care for any reason (e.g. parent is
intoxicated, mentally ill, developmentally disabled or cannot understand the
need for care or cannot make necessary arrangements for care).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent was not available at the time a decision to seek treatment was needed
(e.g. could not be reached by phone in an emergency situation).
Does child have a medical condition or disability that requires an ongoing medical
treatment plan that is not being followed?
 You have information from a reliable source that child has a medical condition
or disability and a current treatment plan OR child’s symptoms clearly
indicate a significant chronic medical condition and you have consulted with a
medical professional who advises that the symptoms you describe suggest a
need for professional medical evaluation/intervention.

AND
 You have had a conversation with the parent about your concerns and
encouraged him/her to obtain medical evaluation and/or follow existing
treatment plan.
AND
 Parent informs you that he/she does not plan to seek medical evaluation or
follow a plan OR states he/she will do so, but after a reasonable period of time
does not follow through OR, after reasonable efforts to contact parent, you
have been unable to do so.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 No ongoing treatment is necessary. Document previous concerns and monitor

child’s well-being.
Is parent making reasonable effort to address child’s needs?
 Parent does not have a clear understanding of the child’s condition, available
treatment or the consequences of lack of treatment but is willing to learn more
about child’s condition, treatment options and consequences, or to discuss
ways to consistently follow treatment plan.
OR
 Parent is making his/her best efforts to follow the treatment plan, but is
experiencing barriers beyond his/her control such as lack of access to services,
lack of knowledge about available services, transportation issues or other
logistical barriers.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent has been provided clear explanation of child’s condition, available

treatment and consequences of lack of treatment AND information available
indicates that parent is taking little or no action to follow the treatment plan
despite efforts of treatment providers, other professionals or other supports to
assist the family to overcome any barriers to following the plan.


AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Neglect: Mental Health P a g e | 69
NEGLECT: MENTAL HEALTH
Is child/young person suicidal OR has committed or is threatening serious violence OR

is causing significant self-harm?
 Child is suicidal. Child has recently attempted suicide, has a plan for suicide
or has written a suicide note.
Also include a child who is making comments about suicidal ideas, combined
with behaviour changes (such as giving away possessions, not participating in
favourite activities, running away) or in the context of significant loss or
trauma.
If you are aware that a child has a history of suicide attempts, a friend or
family member who has committed or attempted suicide, or that the child has
a mental health diagnosis or a current substance abuse problem, answer ‘yes’
even if suicidal concerns are vague. If you are in doubt, discuss with Child
Safety – RIS and/or mental health services.
 Child has committed or is threatening serious violence. Child has recently

caused death or serious violence, or has a plan to do so.
Also include a child who is expressing extremely violent ideas, either directly
or indirectly stating intent to harm others (e.g. writing/drawing extremely
violent themes). Also include a child who is becoming increasingly aggressive
and violent.
If concerns are somewhat vague, answer ‘yes’ if any of the following are also
known: Child has a history of harming animals or people; child has a drug
problem; child has access to weapons like guns and knives; or child expresses
feeling victimised and left out. If in doubt, discuss with Child Safety – RIS
and/or mental health services.
 Child is causing significant self-harm that requires immediate medical or

psychological intervention. Self-harm includes self-inflicted injuries or other
self-inflicted physical or psychological damage.
» Self-inflicted injuries. Child has recent injuries and admits inflicting

injuries, or the pattern of injuries appears self-inflicted.
» Other self-inflicted physical or psychological damage. Child’s

behaviour has caused or is likely to cause serious physical or
psychological damage to self. Serious damage requires immediate
medical or psychological evaluation or intensive treatment (e.g. acute
drug overdose).

For example:
 Child is using alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs or other

substances in ways that, based on age, quantity, frequency and
duration of use, are likely to cause serious physical or
psychological damage, including dependency.
 Child has disrupted eating patterns, such as refusing to eat for

prolonged periods to the extent that he/she is losing weight, or
child is forcing self to vomit.
 Child demonstrates persistent disregard for his/her own safety

in ways that have or are likely to result in serious injury or
death.
NOTE: If appropriate, seek emergency services assistance (police/ambulance/mental health)

and do not leave the child unattended and ensure the safety of others.
Are you aware that parents are refusing to provide or access mental health care that the
child requires?
 The parent is aware of the child's need for mental health care. You have
explained the concerns for the child's mental health to the parent, or have
reliable information that the parent has been informed of the concerns.
AND
 You have explained to the parent the benefits of mental health services for the
child; and/or explained actions the parent needs to take to support child (e.g.
counselling, following through with a behaviour modification plan, providing
medication); or you have reliable information that the parent has been
informed.
AND
 The parent refuses to provide or access mental health care. You have spoken
with the parent and he/she states that he/she will not provide or access mental
health care or follow through with recommended actions, or you have reliable
information that the parent has refused mental health care.
OR
 The parent is not able to understand the concerns or benefits of mental health
services and they refuse to provide or access the required mental health care.

Are you aware that lack of required mental health care is due to reluctance, a lack of
capacity to participate or unavailability of services?
 The child requires parent to take actions that parent is physically, cognitively
or emotionally unable to take. (For example, parents/carers are cognitively
impaired and do not comprehend a medication plan or behaviour modification
plan; or adolescent is able to physically resist parent’s efforts to monitor
child).
OR
 The parents/carers are reluctant to seek treatment because of cultural/religious

considerations, language barriers and/or social stigma.
OR
 The child is resistant to mental health services that the parent is willing to
provide or access.
OR
 The mental health services required by the child are not available, or the
family does not know how to access them.
OR
 The mental health services required by the child involve financial cost the
family cannot afford.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parents are cooperating with mental health services and providing reasonable
services and interventions based on child’s need, even if these services and
interventions are not resolving child’s issues.
IF ‘NO’:
 Family would benefit from a family support service. If a family support

service is available, inform the family and make a referral. If no service is
available, or family refuses, report to Child Safety – RIS.
AND/OR;

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
Are child’s mental health symptoms interfering with his/her daily activities,
performance, relationships or development?
A child’s mental health symptoms may include depression (e.g. sadness and/or withdrawal),
anxiety, eating disorders or early psychotic indicators (e.g. hearing voices, paranoia).
 Activities: Child has stopped or significantly reduced participation in things

he/she previously enjoyed; OR child is no longer performing activities of daily
living that were once achieved, so that hygiene and/or appearance has
deteriorated; OR child is participating in increased risk taking and/or
anti-social behaviour that is persistent and not able to be modified through
appropriate interventions.
 Performance: Child’s performance in social, family or educational settings has

declined from a level previously achieved. A child who previously
participated in class is no longer participating; a child who excelled in some
skill is now performing at a markedly lower level.
 Relationships: The child displays inappropriate attachment or has withdrawn

from relationships that were previously important, or his/her behaviour
jeopardises important relationships, including conflictual, manipulative and/or
aggressive behaviours. Include family and non-family relationships (e.g.
peers).
 Development: The child is no longer performing at a developmental level

previously achieved. For example, child who was toilet trained is now soiling
or wetting; OR child’s withdrawal from relationships or activities has been
prolonged to the extent that he/she is falling behind on developmental
milestones.
Are you professionally competent to form an opinion that, if untreated, child’s mental
health symptoms will worsen in the next several months?
ANSWER ‘YES’ IF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ARE TRUE:

 You have specific training, qualifications and experience in mental health.
 Child’s mental health symptoms will most likely worsen in next several
months if untreated.
 You have had the opportunity to assess the child.

Neglect: Hygiene/Clothing P a g e | 74
NEGLECT: HYGIENE/CLOTHING
MEDICAL ONLY:
Does the child have a medical condition caused or exacerbated by inadequate hygiene or
clothing?
 The child has a condition that is likely to result in death, disfigurement, loss of
bodily function or prolonged significant pain and suffering, AND this
illness/injury resulted from or is made worse by poor hygiene or inadequate
clothing.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Untreated eczema, multiple insect bites, recurrent skin infection, infected scabies, recurrent
UTIs, gastrointestinal infection due to poor hygiene, heat exhaustion, hypothermia.
NON-MEDICAL STARTS HERE:

Is there a pattern or a significant incident where the child is:
Filthy/unhygienic; or
Inadequately clothed; AND
Does child require or likely will require medical care; or
Is child significantly affected emotionally and/or behaviourally?
Over an extended period of time, there are numerous instances in which the child is filthy or
unhygienic, or has inadequate clothing; OR, if child has only been sighted on one occasion,
observations suggest that the condition has been present over an extended period of time.
 Filthy or unhygienic:
» Child is dirty to a point where his/her skin has been stained, i.e. there is
obvious discolouration due to the skin not being washed;
» Child has significant nappy rash, which may be causing bleeding

and/or blistering, and parent is not changing the child adequately so
that the child is left in a soiled nappy for long periods of time;
» The child has medical conditions that can be attributed to

uncleanliness; for example, boils, scabies, poor oral hygiene or
excessive ear discharge to the point that the child’s hearing appears
affected;
» The child has hair that is matted to the point that a comb cannot be run
through it, has clumps of hair falling out, and/or persistent head lice
infestation that is untreated; and/or
» The child smells strongly of urine, faeces, menses or putrid smell

suggestive of infection.
OR
Inadequately clothed:
» Considering the child’s chronological and developmental age, the child

routinely presents with clothes that are not suitable for the current
climate, e.g. wearing a singlet and shorts in winter, and parents have no
plausible explanation for this AND no steps have been taken to fix the
situation.
» The child’s current clothing could lead to medical issues if not

addressed immediately, e.g. developing hypothermia or heatstroke.
Take into consideration that children under age 5, or who have a
disability, have complex communication difficulties and are unable to
express discomfort due to inappropriate clothing. In addition they
cannot take action to self-regulate either physiologically or by moving
to a more moderate temperature.
AND
 Does child require or is child likely to require medical care?

There is a significant risk of illness or injury if the current condition of the
child’s clothing or hygiene is unresolved.
OR
 Is child significantly affected emotionally and/or behaviourally?

The child has one or more indicators from the ‘Examples of Psychological
Harm Indicators’ table that appear related to or exacerbated by hygiene or
clothing concerns.
The following table is a guide. Consider consultation with Child Safety – RIS or a
professional with expertise in child mental health if you are uncertain. Select the age group
that best fits the child’s age, or if child is developmentally delayed, consider the approximate
developmental level of the child.
Examples of Psychological Harm Indicators

Infant Toddler School Age Teen
 Not responding to  Regression in toilet  Bed wetting.  Involved in violent
cuddling. training, language or  Significant relationships.
 Not smiling or other skills. behaviour changes.  Difficulty
making sounds.  Head banging. maintaining long-
 Losing  Regressive term significant
developmental behaviour. relationships.
milestones already  Difficulties sleeping.
achieved.
 Inconsolable.
 Head banging.
 Slow weight gain.
 Upset by loud noises, quick movements, displays  Self-harming/suicidal/social isolation.
startle response.  Constant worry about violence/dangers.
 Withdrawn, not playful and/or play imitates  Desensitisation to violence.
violence between parents/carers.  Decline in school performance.
 Unusually extreme separation anxiety or no  Feels worthless about life and him/herself.

Separation anxiety.  Unable to value others or show empathy.
 Lacks trust in people.
 Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities (i.e. not merely moving
on to an interest in a new activity).
 Poor school attendance.
 Extreme anxiety, such as inability to sit still that is NOT related to
ADHD/insecure/attention seeking.
 Lacks interpersonal skills necessary for age-appropriate functioning.
 Extreme insecurity.
 Takes extreme risks; is markedly disruptive, bullying or aggressive,
particularly with female teachers.
 Avoids adults or is obsessively obsequious/submissive to adults.
 Highly self-critical.
 Feelings of hopelessness, misery, despair.
 Significant change in child’s personality/behaviour (stopped all social
activities, a new pattern of getting involved in fights, failing in school despite
history of good performance, becoming involved in offences).
 Alcohol or other drug abuse.
 Unusual attachment to an adult other than parent.
More than occasional difficulty sleeping or eating, losing weight, eating compulsively and becoming obese
(and/or bulimic).
Episodes of physical complaints for which there is no known physical cause (e.g. stomach aches, headaches)
Flat affect (i.e. rarely smiles or cries).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Concerning conditions occur occasionally.
 Conditions caused by child’s hygiene or clothing do not require medical

treatment, such as a nappy rash that can be treated with over-the-counter
remedies, one-off head-lice infestations that are treated routinely, child is
chilled due to minimal clothing in cool weather, but not in danger of
hypothermia.
 Child is not adversely affected emotionally.
Are you aware that the family is refusing or avoiding services OR are you aware of
reasons family would be unable to remedy situation with assistance?
parent refuses to accept resources or support and, as a result, the hygiene or
inadequate clothing concerns are unresolved;
about your concerns; or
 Parent has agreed to provide proper hygiene or adequate clothing, but has not
followed through within a reasonable timeframe, or has not maintained
hygiene or adequate clothing.

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent provides plausible explanation for child’s appearance and is providing

appropriate intervention. For example, child’s appearance is explained as due
to underlying disease, or lack of hygiene or clothing is due to poverty alone.
IF ‘NO’:
Family would benefit from family support services. If a family support service is available,
inform the family and make a referral. If no service is available, or if family refuses, report to
Child Safety – RIS.
Is the child filthy or unhygienic or especially inadequately clothed?
OR
Have you observed that the child’s clothing and/or hygiene needs are frequently not
being attended to?
OR
Does the child exhibit emotions and/or behaviours that indicate he/she is upset,
embarrassed or otherwise affected?
 Filthy or unhygienic: In situations that would reasonably require a child to be

clean and wearing clean clothing, the child appears unwashed and clothing is
unlaundered;
OR
 Inadequately clothed: In situations that would require clothing to keep the

child warm, the child is dressed such that the child is uncomfortably cold, or in
situations that would require protection from overheating, the child is dressed
in ways that are too warm, or child is wearing clothing that is so large it is
hard to keep on properly, or so small it is uncomfortable;
OR
 Clothing and/or hygiene needs are frequently not being attended to: Parent is
inattentive to child’s needs for hygiene or adequate clothing on a regular basis;
OR
 Child exhibits emotions and/or behaviours that indicate he/she is upset,

embarrassed or otherwise affected. The child expresses that he/she is upset or
embarrassed by his/her lack of cleanliness or adequate clothing, or child
appears upset or embarrassed. For infants and very young children, answer

‘yes’ if child appears uncomfortable, or adults or peers avoid contact with

child due to hygiene.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child appears very dirty in situations that would be expected, such as during
and shortly after outdoor play or activities.
 Child is inadequately clothed because of choices the child has made rather
than choices the parent has made.
problem?
concerns and have provided resources for effective services/interventions, or
the family has sought services on their own. This may include help getting
necessary clothing, soaps or shampoos, or learning ways to keep child clean;
AND
 Parent has agreed to services, and within a reasonable period of time has
engaged in services and is making progress toward reducing risk of harm to
child.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Sexual Abuse of Child (Age 0<16 Years) P a g e | 79
SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD (AGE 0<16 YEARS)
Use this tree when the child has not reached his/her 16th birthday.
Has child made a reasonably clear statement of sexual abuse?
The child states (with words, pictures or gestures) that one or more of the following has
occurred:
 Any sexual contact including sexual relationships where an inappropriate

power differentiation or age gap exists. (Exclude genital contact that is clearly
accidental. Exclude sexual contact initiated by another child which is age-
consistent exploration. Appropriate responses to age-consistent exploration
should be initiated);
 Non-contact abusive behaviours such as flashing, exposing to child, having a

child pose or perform in a sexual manner, looking at child’s genitals for sexual
gratification, exposure to sexually explicit material or acts, communication of
graphic sexual matters (including email or SMS);
 Sexual activity in exchange for money or goods; or
 Child pornography.
NOTE: It is not necessary that the child provide details of time and place, specific actions or
specific names.
Do you have information that child has a sexually transmitted infection or is pregnant
and has experienced significant harm?
 You are a medical professional who has diagnosed and/or treated the child for
genital trauma, or the child is younger than age 14 and you have diagnosed
and/or treated the child for a sexually transmitted infection that you are
concerned is the result of harm resulting from sexual abuse or for pregnancy;
 You are a non-medical professional who is aware of a pregnancy in a child

younger than age 14, and to the best of your knowledge, no report has been
made to the Queensland Police Service or Child Safety – RIS; or
 The child is aged 14–16 years and has a sexually transmitted infection or is
pregnant as a result of sexual contact with others of significant age and/or
developmental difference or other highly suggestive or suggestive indicators
are present as described in the table on page 83.

Have you or someone else witnessed sexual abuse of the child, including photos/videos?
 You personally observed another person perpetrating sexual abuse to the child;
 A third party witnessed another person perpetrating sexual abuse to the child
and told you about it, but to the best of your knowledge this was not reported
to Queensland Police Service or Child Safety – RIS; and/or
 You or another person came across photos or videos of the child that are
sexually graphic, or viewed communication between child and a third party
that is sexually graphic.
Is there someone with access to the child who is a known sex offender, or who appears
to be ‘grooming’ the child?
 You have information that an individual with access to a child is a registered

sex offender, was previously convicted of a sexual offence, has been charged
but not convicted of a sexual offence, is currently being investigated or has
previously been investigated for a sexual offence against children; and/or
 You have information that an individual with access to a child appears to be

‘grooming’ the child in order to engage the child in a sexual relationship.
Grooming is a pattern of behaviour aimed at engaging a child as a precursor to
sexual abuse, such as giving the child gifts, developing a close relationship
characterized by secrecy or exploiting a child’s loneliness.
Access includes:
» Lives in child’s household;

» Is in an intimate relationship with child’s parent/sibling;
» Is in a trusting relationship with child and family; and/or
» Is given responsibility to supervise child.
Does the concerning behaviour involve a household member or is there reason to

suspect a household member?
 The child has provided specific information about who is perpetrating sexual
abuse, and it is, or includes, a parent or household member;
OR
 The child has not specifically named the person(s) who is perpetrating sexual
abuse, but also has not specifically stated that a person in his/her household is
causing the harm directly (i.e. having sexual contact with the child) or

indirectly (i.e. arranging for sexual contact to occur or knowingly permitting

sexual contact to occur).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child clearly states that the only persons perpetrating sexual abuse are not
members of the child’s household.
Is there a parent who may be able and willing to protect the child from further harm?
 You or another person has met with a parent who lives in the home and is
aware of the sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy or sex
offender who appears to be grooming the child AND the parent provides a
description of ways he/she is acting to protect the child from further harm. For
example, parents indicate or are demonstrating the need to pay attention,
monitor, supervise, provide sexuality and personal safety education and
therapy if required, protection from harm or a legal response.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The parent denies that sexual abuse has occurred and does not provide support
for the child or the parent acknowledges the abuse but refuses to act
protectively to prevent further harm, e.g. does not increase supervision or does
not stop access by the known sex offender;
OR
 You have no information regarding the presence of a parent who may be able
and willing to meet the child’s care, well-being and safety needs.
Would the child or family benefit from support services?
 The parent or child have indicated that they would benefit from engaging with
a support service to address therapeutic or educational needs.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The child and family are already engaged with support or are not willing to
engage with a support service at this time.
Is the child displaying behaviours that are:
 Excessive, secretive, compulsive, coercive, degrading or threatening?

 Characterised by significant age, developmental and/or power differences

between the children involved?
 Of concern because of the nature of the activities and the manner in

which they occur?
OR
 Has the child made an indirect statement of sexual abuse?
 The child displays sexual behaviours such as those indicated in the table
below, based on child’s age/developmental level.
Examples of Child Problematic Severe Sexualised Behaviours

 Simulation of explicit foreplay or sexual behaviour in play.
 Persistent masturbation.
 Persistent touching of the genitals of other children.
Birth to 5 Years
 Persistent attempts to touch the genitals of adults.
 Sexual behaviour between young children involving penetration with objects.
 Forcing other children to engage in sexual play.
 Persistent masturbation, particularly in front of others.
 Sexual behaviour engaging significantly younger or less able children.
 Sneaking into the rooms of sleeping younger children to touch or engage in sexual
5–9 Years
play.
 Simulation of sexual acts that are sophisticated for their age, e.g. oral sex.
 Persistent sexual themes in talk, play, art, etc.
 Sexual activity, e.g. oral sex or intercourse.
 Arranging a face-to-face meeting with an online acquaintance.
9–13 Years  Sending nude or sexually provocative images of self or others electronically.
 Coercion of others, including same age, younger or less able children, into sexual
activity.
 Presence of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).
 Compulsive masturbation (especially chronic or public).
 Degradation/humiliation of self or others with sexual themes, e.g. threats, phone,
email, touch.
 Attempt/force others to expose genitals.
 Preoccupation with sexually aggressive pornography.
 Sexually explicit talk with younger children.
13–18 Years
 Sexual harassment, forced sexual contact.
 Sexual contact with others of significant age and/or developmental difference.
 Sending nude or sexually provocative images of self or others electronically.
 Joining adults-only online dating service.
 Sexual contact with animals.
 Genital injury to others/self.
OR
 Child has made statements that represent a possible disclosure of sexual abuse
but statement lacks specificity. For example, ‘I don’t like how Daddy touches
me’ or ‘Daddy and I have a secret I am not supposed to tell’.
NOTE: For non-verbal children, signs and symptoms alone can be reported if you are
concerned about sexual abuse and no other explanation exists. These complicated situations
should be discussed with your supervisor.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 None of the child’s sexual behaviours are indicated in the table or are of
similar seriousness to those listed in the table.
OR
 Child has made statements that lack any detail about where or whether there
was any discomfort with the touch (e.g. ‘Daddy touches me’) and where it is
highly unlikely that the child means that the contact was sexual.
Is child displaying behaviours that suggest harm resulting from sexual abuse?
Is the child displaying behaviours that are:
 Outside ‘normal’ sexual behaviour in terms of persistence, frequency or

inequality in age and developmental abilities?
 Unusual or different for a particular child?
Examples of Child Problematic Moderate Sexualised Behaviours

 Preoccupation with adult sexual type behaviour.
 Pulling other children’s pants down/skirts up against their will.
 Explicit sexual conversation using sophisticated or adult language.
Birth to 5 Years  Preoccupation with touching another’s genitals (often in preference to other child-
focused activities).
 Chronic peeping.
 Following others into toilets to look at them or touch them.
 Questions about sexual activity that persist or are repeated frequently despite an
answer being given.
 Writing sexually threatening notes.
5–9 Years
 Engaging in mutual masturbation.
 Use of adult language to discuss sex, e.g. ‘Do you think I look sexy?’ or ‘Look at
my dolls—they’re screwing’.
 Uncharacteristic behaviour, e.g. sudden provocative changes in dress, mixing with
new or older friends.
 Consistent bullying involving sexual aggression.
9–13 Years  Pseudo maturity, including inappropriate knowledge and discussion of sexuality.
 Giving out identifying details to online acquaintances.
 Preoccupation with chatting online.
 Persistent expression of fear of pregnancy/STIs.
 Sexual preoccupation/anxiety that interferes with daily function.
 Preoccupation with pornography.
13–18 Years
 Giving false gender, age, sexuality details online in adult chat room.
 Sexually aggressive themes/obscenities.
 Sexual graffiti (chronic/impacting on others).

 Violation of others’ personal spaces.

 Single occurrence of peeping, exposing, non-consenting sexual touch with known
peers; pulling skirts up/pants down; mooning and obscene gestures.
 Unsafe sexual behaviour, including unprotected sex, sexual activity while
intoxicated, multiple partners and frequent changes of partner.
 Oral sex and/or intercourse (age and developmental ability to give consent must be
considered).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The child’s sexual behaviours are more consistent with ‘normal’ sexual
behaviour for his/her age/development, as indicated in the table below.
Examples of Normal Child Sexual Behaviour for Age and Development

 Thumb sucking, body stroking and holding of genitals.
 Wanting to touch other children’s genitals.
 Asking about or wanting to touch the breasts, bottoms or genitals of familiar adults,
Birth to 5 Years e.g. when in the bath.
 Games like ‘doctor/nurse’, ‘show me yours and I’ll show you mine’.
 Enjoyment of being nude.
 Interest in body parts and functions .
 Masturbation to self-soothe.
 Increased curiosity in adult sexuality, e.g. questions about babies, gender
differences.
 Increased curiosity about other children’s genitals, e.g. playing mutual games to see
5–9 Years
or touch genitals.
 Telling stories or asking questions, using swear words, ‘toilet’ words or names for
private body parts.
 Increased sense of privacy about bodies.
 Use of sexual language.
 Having girl/boyfriends.
 Exhibitionism, e.g. flashing or mooning amongst same age peers.
9–13 Years
 Increased need for privacy.
 Consensual kissing with known peers.
 Use of Internet to chat online.
 Sexually explicit conversations with peers.
 Obscenities and jokes within the cultural norm.
 Flirting.
 Interest in erotica.
 Solitary masturbation.
13–18 Years  Interest and/or participation in a one-on-one relationship (with or without sexual
activity).
 Sexual activity including hugging, kissing, holding hands, foreplay, mutual
masturbation.
 Consenting oral sex and/or intercourse with a partner of similar age and
developmental ability (age and developmental ability to give consent must be
considered).
Is the parent currently engaged with support services?
 You or another person has had a conversation with parent or other adult
household member about your concerns and provided resources for effective
services/interventions or the family has sought services on their own.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 You have no information about whether parent/other adult household member

has been offered or engaged in services.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Sexual Abuse of Young Person (Age 16–17 Years) P a g e | 86
SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG PERSON (AGE 16–17 YEARS)
Use this tree when the child has reached his/her 16th birthday but not his/her 18th birthday.
Has young person made a reasonably clear statement of sexual abuse?
The young person states (with words, pictures or gestures) that one or more of the following
has occurred:
 Any unwanted sexual contact. (Exclude genital contact that is clearly

accidental. Exclude sexual contact initiated by another child/young person
which is age-consistent exploration. Appropriate responses to age-consistent
exploration should be initiated).
 Any unwanted non-contact abusive behaviours such as flashing, exposing to

young person, having a young person pose or perform in a sexual manner,
looking at young person’s genitals for sexual gratification, exposure to
sexually explicit material or acts, communication of graphic sexual matters
(including email or SMS).
 ‘Unwanted’ can be determined by the young person stating it was unwanted or

from indications that the contact occurred in a context of force, coercion or
exploitation.
NOTE: It is not necessary that the young person provide details of time and place, specific
actions or specific names.
Have you or someone witnessed sexual abuse of the young person, including
photos/videos?
 You personally observed another person perpetrating sexual abuse* to the

young person.
 A third party witnessed another person perpetrating sexual abuse* to the

young person and told you about it, but to the best of your knowledge, this
was not reported to Queensland Police Service or Child Safety – RIS.
*Sexual abuse for the purpose of this definition includes:
» Any unwanted sexual contact. (Exclude genital contact that is clearly

accidental. Exclude sexual contact initiated by another child/young
person which is age-consistent exploration. Appropriate responses to
age-consistent exploration should be initiated).

» Any unwanted non-contact abusive behaviours such as flashing,

exposing to young person, having a young person pose or perform in a
sexual manner, looking at young person’s genitals for sexual
gratification, exposure to sexually explicit material or acts,
communication of graphic sexual matters (including email or SMS).
 You or another person came across photos or videos of the young person that
are sexually graphic, or viewed communication between child and a third
party that is sexually graphic.
Is there someone with access to the young person who is a known sex offender or
appears to be ‘grooming’ the young person?
 You have information that an individual with access to a young person is a

registered sex offender, was previously convicted of a sexual offence, has
been charged but not convicted of a sexual offence or is currently being
investigated or has previously been investigated for a sexual offence against
children.
 You have information that an individual with access to a young person appears
to be ‘grooming’ the young person in order to engage the young person in a
sexual relationship. ‘Grooming’ is a pattern of behaviour aimed at engaging a
young person as a precursor to sexual abuse such as giving the young person
gifts, developing a close relationship characterised by secrecy, exploiting a
young person’s loneliness.
Access includes:
» Lives in young person’s household;

» Is in an intimate relationship with young person’s parent/sibling;
» Is in a trusting relationship with young person and family; or
» Is given responsibility to supervise young person.
Is young person engaged in a sexual relationship that is not consensual, is not fully
comprehended or suggests an inappropriate power differential or age gap?
Young person is involved in a sexual relationship that the young person characterises as
consensual; however, at least one of the following is present:
 The partner of the young person is an adult. (Use discretion when considering
individuals who have recently turned 18 years of age);
 The partner of the young person is in a position of responsibility or authority

over the young person or is related to the young person; and/or

 The young person does not seem to fully understand the sexual nature of the
relationship or the consequences of sexual contact.
Is young person engaged in prostitution or pornography?
 Does young person exchange sexual activities for something of value? It does
not matter whether the young person or another person gains the value.
AND/OR
 Does the young person create, or is the young person depicted in, materials of
a sexually graphic nature?
Does the concerning behaviour involve a household member or is there reason to

suspect a household member?
 The young person has provided specific information about who is perpetrating
sexual abuse and it is, or includes, a parent or household member.
OR
 The young person has not specifically named the person(s) who is perpetrating
sexual abuse, but also has not specifically stated that a person in his/her
household is perpetrating sexual abuse directly (i.e. having sexual contact with
the young person) or indirectly (i.e. arranging for sexual contact to occur or
knowingly permitting sexual contact to occur).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
Young person clearly states that the only persons perpetrating sexual abuse are not members
of the young person’s household.
Is there a parent who may be able and willing to protect the young person from further
harm?
 You or another person has met with a parent who lives in the home and is
aware of the sexual abuse, sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy or sex
offender who appears to be grooming the young person AND the parent
provides a description of ways he/she is acting to protect the young person
from further harm. For example, parents indicate or are demonstrating the
need to pay attention; monitor; supervise; provide sexuality and personal
safety education and therapy, if required; protection from harm or a legal
response.

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The parent denies that sexual abuse has occurred and does not provide support
for the young person or the parent acknowledges the abuse but refuses to act
protectively to prevent further harm, e.g. does not increase supervision or does
not stop access by the known sex offender.
OR
 You have no information regarding the presence of a parent who is able and
willing to meet the young person’s care, well-being and safety needs.
Would the young person or family benefit from support services?
 The parent or young person have indicated that they would benefit from
engaging with a support service to address therapeutic or personal safety
educational needs.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The young person and family are already engaged with support or are not
willing to engage with a support service at this time.

Child Problematic Sexual Behaviour – P a g e | 90
Self-Directed/Toward Others
CHILD PROBLEMATIC SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR – SELF-DIRECTED/

TOWARD OTHERS
NOTE: Use this decision tree when you are concerned that a child is displaying sexual
behaviour that is interfering with the child’s or other children’s sense of safety, social,
emotional and educational development.
Consider whether the child displaying the problematic sexual behaviour has him/herself
experienced sexual abuse or been exposed to inappropriate sexual practices, images or other
materials within or outside his/her family or care environment or to physical or emotional
abuse, domestic violence and/or neglect.
 Excessive, secretive, compulsive, coercive, degrading or threatening?
 Characterised by significant age, developmental and/or power differences

between the children involved?
 Of concern because of the nature of the activities and the manner in

which they occur?
OR
 Has the child made an indirect statement of sexual abuse?

 Simulation of explicit foreplay or sexual behaviour in play.
 Persistent masturbation.
 Persistent touching of the genitals of other children.
Birth to 5 Years
 Persistent attempts to touch the genitals of adults.
 Sexual behaviour between young children involving penetration with objects.
 Forcing other children to engage in sexual play.
 Sexual behaviour engaging significantly younger or less able children.
 Sneaking into the rooms of sleeping younger children to touch or engage in sexual
5–9 Years
play.
 Simulation of sexual acts that are sophisticated for their age, e.g. oral sex.
 Persistent sexual themes in talk, play, art, etc.
 Sexual activity, e.g. oral sex or intercourse.
9–13 Years  Sending nude or sexually provocative images of self or others electronically.
 Coercion of others, including same age, younger or less able children, into sexual
activity.
 Presence of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).


 Compulsive masturbation (especially chronic or public).
 Degradation/humiliation of self or others with sexual themes, e.g. threats, phone,
email, touch.
 Attempt/force others to expose genitals.
 Preoccupation with sexually aggressive pornography.
 Sexually explicit talk with younger children.
13–18 Years
 Sexual harassment, forced sexual contact.
 Sexual contact with others of significant age and/or developmental difference.
 Sending nude or sexually provocative images of self or others electronically.
 Joining adults-only online dating service.
 Sexual contact with animals.
 Genital injury to others/self.
OR
 Child has made statements that represent a possible disclosure of sexual abuse
but statement lacks specificity. For example, ‘I don’t like how Daddy touches
me’ or ‘Daddy and I have a secret I am not supposed to tell’.
NOTE: For non-verbal children, signs and symptoms alone can be reported if you are
concerned about sexual abuse and there is no other explanation. These complicated situations
should be discussed with your supervisor.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 None of the child’s sexual behaviours are indicated in the table, or of similar
seriousness to those listed in the table.
OR
 Child has made statements that lack any detail about where or whether there
was any discomfort with the touch (e.g. ‘Daddy touches me’) and it is highly
unlikely that the child means that the contact was sexual.
Is there a parent able and willing to take appropriate action?
 You or another person has met with a parent who lives in the home to discuss
the problematic sexual behaviours AND the parent indicates an ability and
willingness to engage with appropriate services to protect the child from
experiencing these behaviours.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
parent refuses to accept resources or support or parent has agreed to engage
with services, but has not followed through within a reasonable timeframe,
and, as a result, the problematic sexual behaviours continue;

about your concerns.
OR
 You have no information regarding the presence of a parent who is able and
willing to meet the child’s care, well-being and safety needs.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Outside ‘normal’ sexual behaviour in terms of persistence, frequency or

inequality in age and developmental abilities?
 Unusual or different for a particular child?

Examples of Child Problematic Moderate Sexualised Behaviours

 Preoccupation with adult sexual type behaviour.
 Pulling other children’s pants down/skirts up against their will.
 Explicit sexual conversation using sophisticated or adult language.
Birth to 5 Years  Preoccupation with touching another’s genitals (often in preference to other child-
focused activities).
 Chronic peeping.
 Following others into toilets to look at them or touch them.
 Questions about sexual activity that persist or are repeated frequently, despite an
answer being given.
 Writing sexually threatening notes.
5–9 Years
 Engaging in mutual masturbation.
 Use of adult language to discuss sex, e.g. ‘Do you think I look sexy?’ or ‘Look at
my dolls—they’re screwing’.
 Uncharacteristic behaviour, e.g. sudden provocative changes in dress, mixing with
new or older friends.
 Consistent bullying involving sexual aggression.
9–13 Years  Pseudo maturity, including inappropriate knowledge and discussion of sexuality.
 Persistent expression of fear of pregnancy/STIs.
 Sexual preoccupation/anxiety that interferes with daily function.
 Preoccupation with pornography.
 Giving false gender, age, sexuality details online in adult chat room.
 Sexually aggressive themes/obscenities.
13–18 Years  Sexual graffiti (chronic/impacting on others).
 Violation of others’ personal spaces.
 Single occurrence of peeping, exposing, non-consenting sexual touch with known
peers; pulling skirts up/pants down; mooning and obscene gestures.
 Unsafe sexual behaviour, including unprotected sex, sexual activity while
intoxicated, multiple partners and frequent changes of partner.
 Oral sex and/or intercourse (age and developmental ability to give consent must be
considered).
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The child’s sexual behaviours are more consistent with ‘normal’ sexual
behaviour for his/her age/development, as indicated in the table below.

 Thumb sucking, body stroking and holding of genitals.
 Wanting to touch other children’s genitals.
 Asking about or wanting to touch the breasts, bottoms or genitals of familiar adults,
Birth to 5 Years e.g. when in the bath.
 Games like ‘doctor/nurse’, ‘show me yours and I’ll show you mine’.
 Enjoyment of being nude.
 Interest in body parts and functions .
 Masturbation to self-soothe.
 Increased curiosity in adult sexuality, e.g. questions about babies, gender
differences.
 Increased curiosity about other children’s genitals, e.g. playing mutual games to see
5–9 Years
or touch genitals.
 Telling stories or asking questions, using swear words, ‘toilet’ words or names for
private body parts.
 Increased sense of privacy about bodies.

 Use of sexual language.
 Having girl/boyfriends.
 Exhibitionism, e.g. flashing or mooning amongst same age peers.
9–13 Years
 Increased need for privacy.
 Consensual kissing with known peers.
 Sexually explicit conversations with peers.
 Obscenities and jokes within the cultural norm.
 Flirting.
 Interest in erotica.
 Solitary masturbation.
13–18 Years  Interest and/or participation in a one-on-one relationship (with or without sexual
activity).
 Sexual activity including hugging, kissing, holding hands, foreplay, mutual
masturbation.
 Consenting oral sex and/or intercourse with a partner of similar age and
developmental ability (age and developmental ability to give consent must be
considered).
Is there information that the parent has taken appropriate action?
 Parent provides a description of ways he/she is acting to protect the child from
experiencing and/or displaying problematic sexual behaviour. For example,
parent indicates or demonstrates the need to pay attention; monitor; supervise;
provide sexuality and personal safety education and therapy, if required;
protection from harm or a legal response.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 You have no information regarding the presence of a parent who is currently

responding protectively to address problematic sexual behaviour.

Emotional/Psychological Harm P a g e | 95
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM
Do you have reason to believe that the child experiences or is exposed to any of the
following?
 Chronic/severe domestic and family violence.
 Significant parental mental health and/or substance abuse concerns.
 Parental behaviours that are persistent and/or repetitive and have a

significant negative impact on a child’s development, social needs, self-
worth or self-esteem.
 Parental criminal and/or corrupting behaviour.
 Parental behaviours that deliberately expose a child to traumatic events.
Child or another person has told you, or you have observed the presence of any of the
following conditions in child’s home.
 Child’s parent(s) are in a violent/abusive relationship that is chronic and/or

severe.
» Violent: Physical altercation(s) that have already occurred, are

occurring or are threatened;
» Abusive: May include verbal, demeaning, stalking, controlling

behaviour or threats of harm;
» Chronic: Pattern of ongoing incidents; and/or
» Severe: Resulted in an injury to any participant or bystander that

required medical care, or that involved use of a dangerous weapon (e.g.
gun, knife, throwing an object heavy enough to cause an injury
requiring medical care).
 Parent has a mental health and/or substance abuse concern that is apparent in
behaviours such as the following:
» Parent has a distorted perception of reality;

» Parent does not provide emotional support for the child;
» Parent threatens or attempts suicide, homicide, harms pets; and/or
» Parent’s behaviour is extremely erratic.
 Parent’s behaviour is characterised by persistently and severely criticising,

punishing or demeaning/scapegoating child. This requires a pattern of
behaviour. A single observation (e.g. observing severe demeaning of child by
parent) may be included if you have no prior contact with family and are
unlikely to have continuing contact IF the single incident is severe.

» Criticising: There is a pattern in which virtually everything the child

does is criticised and there is little or no praise to balance the criticism,
and the criticism is not constructive or helpful, but rather is personally
attacking;
» Punishing: There is a pattern in which child is nearly always under

punishment; punishment is meted out for minor infractions or for
behaviours that are within expected child behaviour for
age/development; or punishment is emotionally brutal (physical
brutality should be considered under physical harm). This includes
threats of harm, threats of abandonment, isolation, etc.;
» Demeaning: Parent publicly humiliates child; and/or
» Scapegoating: Blaming child for circumstances in the family that are

not the fault of the child, or consistently accusing one child of fault for
incidents that were caused by other household members.
 Parent engages in illegal behaviour and exposes or involves child in this

behaviour.
 Parent knowingly allows or forces a child to observe traumatic events either

live or depicted. For example, kills a pet in front of the child; harms self or
others in front of child.
Does the child exhibit emotions and/or behaviours that indicate the child is significantly
affected?
 You suspect the parent’s behaviour has contributed to or exacerbated the

child’s emotional/behavioural harm.
OR
 The child has one or more indicators from the ‘Examples of

Emotional/Psychological Harm Indicators’ table.
The following table is a guide only. These behaviours may be age/developmentally

appropriate or there may be an alternative explanation for these behaviours other
than emotional/psychological harm.


achieved.
 Inconsolable.
 Head banging.
violence between parents/carers.  Significant decline in school performance.
separation anxiety.  Unable to value others or show empathy.
 Extreme anxiety, such as inability to sit still that is not related to
 Avoids adults or is obsessively obsequious/submissive to adults
 Unusual attachment to an adult other than parent.
More than occasional difficulty sleeping or eating, e.g. losing weight, eating compulsively and becoming
obese (and/or bulimic).
Practice Tip
While the child’s behaviour may point to emotional harm, it should be noted that emotional
harm is not always observable. A child subject to emotional harm may show no affect when
an emotional response would be expected. This lack of affect may be a coping mechanism
resulting from the harm the child has suffered or continues to suffer

Does the child exhibit emotions and/or behaviours that indicate the child is moderately
affected?
Examples of Moderately Affected

 Difficulty self-  Less interested in  Some difficulty  Unusually
soothing. play. concentrating. withdrawn.
 More timid or more
aggressive than
peers.
 Play consistently imitates demeaning behaviour  Above average worry.
between parents/carers.  Some decline in school performance.
 Occasional or mild separation anxiety or no  Low self-esteem.
separation anxiety.  Guarded with other people.
 Reduced interest in previously pleasurable activities (i.e. not merely moving
 Declining school attendance.
 Mild anxiety.
 Below average interpersonal skills necessary for age-appropriate functioning.
 Less secure than peers.
 Trouble relating to adults or unusually compliant with adults.
 Somewhat self-critical.
 Feelings of sadness.
 Noticeable change in child’s personality/behaviour.
 Seeks closeness to an adult other than parent.
Occasional difficulty sleeping or eating.
Practice Tip
While the child’s behaviour may point to emotional harm, it should be noted that emotional
harm is not always observable. A child subject to emotional harm may show no affect when
an emotional response would be expected. This lack of affect may be a coping mechanism
resulting from the harm the child has suffered or continues to suffer
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Despite exposure to potentially harmful parental conditions or behaviours,

child is managing with minimal negative consequences.
OR
 There are explanations for child behaviour other than parental actions or
inactions.
Is the child afraid to go/remain home or are you concerned for child’s safety at home?
 Child expresses concern that if he/she goes or remains home:

» Child is unable to cope with the parent’s behaviour and this may result
in child harming self or others (e.g. suicide attempt, cutting, using
alcohol/drugs, running away); OR
» Parent is behaving in ways that place the child in imminent danger of
significant harm (e.g. exposed to a violent incident).
 Observation indicates that it is highly likely that if child goes home, he/she
will be significantly harmed or will harm self or others.
Are the parents willing and/or have the capacity to engage with services/other supports
to assist the child and family?
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The parents are unresponsive to child’s emotional/psychological concerns and

expect others to respond to the child, or are unwilling to engage in any
discussion about changing their own behaviour that is affecting child and/or
addressing child’s symptoms of emotional/psychological harm;
 The parents disagree about services needed for child, with one blocking
engagement. For example, domestic and family violence is identified and the
aggressor is blocking access to services, or one parent is mentally ill and is
denying the child’s need for services;
 The parents are unable to engage with services/other supports due to cognitive,
physical or emotional limitations;
 The parents are reluctant to seek intervention because of cultural/religious

considerations or social stigma; or
 The services required are not available or parent does not know how to access
them.

Pregnant Woman—Unborn Child P a g e | 100
PREGNANT WOMAN—UNBORN CHILD
NOTE: An unborn child includes unborn children from the time of conception until the birth
of the baby. While reports relating to an unborn child are not mandatory, those with
mandatory reporting responsibility should consider the benefits for the pregnant woman and
unborn child after birth of making a report to:
1. Enable Child Safety and other agencies to mobilise services for the potential
benefit of the pregnant woman and unborn child after birth; or
2. Enable Child Safety to prepare appropriate statutory/protective intervention

following the birth of the child.
Are you aware of a history of significant abuse or neglect of siblings of the unborn child,
or have siblings been removed or died in circumstances of abuse or neglect or does any
household member have a history of significant abuse against children?
You have information (which may be gathered in consultation with Child Safety – RIS and/or
Child Safety as well as from the parent or third party) that:
 The pregnant woman or another adult who will be living with the baby after
birth has previous abuse or neglect reports in which he/she is the perpetrator.
The victim may be any child, regardless of whether that child is part of the
current household.
birth has previously had a child removed from his/her care by Child Safety.
birth has been involved in a child death in circumstances of abuse and/or
neglect.
Are you aware of any of the following circumstances that suggest that either parent may
be unable to care for the baby upon birth?
 Suicidal
 Self-harming
 Substance abuse/misuse
 Mental illness
 Domestic/family violence
 Cognitive or intellectual impairment
 Significant medical condition
 Homeless
Consider any parent who will be living with baby upon birth.
 Suicide risk. Pregnant woman has recently attempted or threatened suicide, or

is making plans that suggest an imminent suicide attempt.
 Self-harming. Pregnant woman is engaging in significant self-harming

behaviour.
 Serious and persistent substance abuse by pregnant woman or other parent

includes dependent use of any illegal or prescription drugs or alcohol to the
level of intoxication where either parent could not be responsive to the needs
of the infant upon birth.
 Mental health illness. Either parent is exhibiting significant symptoms of

mental health illness to the extent that either parent is unable to provide care
and protection for the infant upon birth. This includes situations in which
either parent has been diagnosed with mental health illness that requires
medication or treatment that is not taken as prescribed (whether due to
prescribed cessation during pregnancy or other reason) or she/he has never
been diagnosed and is showing significant symptoms. Significant symptoms
include the following:
» Being unable to carry out daily activities such as eating and self-care;
» Being unable to manage emotions such as anger, sadness or anxiety to

the extent that he/she cannot focus attention on attending to an infant’s
needs; and/or
» Hearing voices, seeing things that are not there, or having thoughts of
unrealistic/unsupportable beliefs of persecution, etc. Especially
concerning are hostile/negative expressions about the unborn child, or
denial of the pregnancy.
 Domestic/family violence. There is current domestic violence towards the

pregnant woman that includes physical assaults that have involved a serious
injury* or use of a weapon or extremely isolating and controlling behaviour.
*Serious injury during the incident includes but is not limited to strangulation,
sexual assault, fractures, internal injuries, disfigurement, burns, death and/or
any injury that may require hospitalisation.
 Cognitive or intellectual impairment. The pregnant woman or other parent has

limited ability to understand information that will be necessary for the care of
the infant. For example, either the pregnant woman or other parent has a
cognitive impairment and is unable to understand feeding, sleeping or bathing
instructions, or has extremely unrealistic expectations of what parenting will
be like.
 Significant medical condition. Either parent has a significant medical

condition or physical disability to the extent that either parent is unable to
provide care and protection for an infant after the birth.
 Homeless. The pregnant woman has no safe place to stay with baby after birth.

Are you aware that the pregnant woman has accepted referrals to services to address
concerns OR that there are other family members who will provide for child’s safety
and care upon birth?
 You have already had a conversation with the pregnant woman about your
concerns and have provided a referral, or the pregnant woman or family has
accessed services on their own.
OR
 There is at least one other adult who will be living in the home with the baby
who will be able to provide for the child’s basic needs and protect child from
any concerns the other parent may present.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Pregnant woman has refused services or lacks capacity to access services.
AND
 Pregnant woman would be the only parent available to provide for the baby.
AND
 All other adults have risk factors or would otherwise be unable/unwilling to

provide safety or basic care for the baby.
Are you aware of reasons parent would be unable to remedy situation with assistance?
 You have discussed your concerns about the unborn child following birth with
his/her parent and the parent refuses to accept resources or support, and as a
result the safety and basic care of the unborn child after birth are unresolved.
AND/OR
about your concerns.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Parent is able and willing to follow through and access services and assistance
within a reasonable timeframe.

Parent Concern: Substance Abuse P a g e | 103
PARENT CONCERN: SUBSTANCE ABUSE
If you have a parent concern and you are a QH employee consider consulting with a child
protection liaison officer (CPLO) or child protection advisor (CPA). If you are a DETE
employee consider consulting with a guidance officer or senior guidance officer.
Does the parent’s substance abuse impact or is it likely to impact his/her ability to meet
the child’s needs and/or does the child’s behaviour indicate the significant impact of
substance abuse?
 You reasonably suspect that a parent is abusing alcohol or other drugs to the
extent that it is having a negative impact on his/her capacity to parent the
child, his/her own health, finances, relationships, employment, legal issues,
etc. Your awareness may be based on personal observations or credible
statements by the child or another person.
Indicators of substance abuse (examples):
Examples of Indicators of Substance Abuse

Type of Indicator What You May Notice
 Diagnosed by a professional as having an addiction to
Professional alcohol or drugs.
Assessment/Treatment  Received/receiving treatment for addiction to alcohol or
drugs.
 Observed parent use or possession of illegal drugs.
Direct Observation of
 Observed parent consumption of alcohol to the point of
Use
intoxication.
 Arrests for drunk driving or other alcohol- or drug-related
Legal
offences.
 Excessive absences that may reflect hangover, withdrawal
Work or active use.
 Poor performance on the job because of impaired judgment.
 Increasingly, relationships are limited to people who also
Relationships abuse alcohol or drugs.
 Losing relationships with non-using friends and relatives.
 Increasing sadness.
Mood
 Rapidly changing moods.
 While intoxicated/high:
» Slurred speech
» Poor coordination
» Agitation
Physical » Pupils pin-point or dilated
 Long term:
» Emaciated
» Skin lesions
» Tooth loss
AND
 One of the following is true:

» Parent is not meeting child’s needs or is likely to be unable to meet

child’s needs. On more than one occasion, parent did not provide child
with food, supervision, adequate housing, safe living conditions (e.g.
drug paraphernalia was accessible to child) or other basic care because
parent was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs; or could not
provide because financial resources were spent on alcohol/drugs; or
parent’s life is so organised around drug-seeking that he/she is
inattentive to child’s needs. Consider child’s age/developmental status.
Older children/young people are less dependent on their parent to meet
basic needs, whilst infants/newborns have no ability to protect
themselves or meet any of their own needs.
NOTE: If failure to meet basic needs meets criteria for neglect, use
neglect decision tree first and use this decision tree if you have already
ruled out neglect.
» Child’s behaviour indicates significant impact of parent’s substance

abuse. Child exhibits indicators of emotional disturbance. The
following table provides examples, but it is a guide only. If you are not
familiar with indicators of emotional disturbance, you are encouraged
to consult with a professional in your agency with expertise in this area
or Child Safety – RIS.
The following list is not exclusive, but may include:

achieved.
 Inconsolable.
 Head banging.
violence between parents/carers.  Decline in school performance.
separation anxiety.  Unable to value others or show empathy.
 Extreme insecurity .

 Unusual attachment to an adult other than parent .
More than occasional difficulty sleeping or eating, e.g. losing weight, eating compulsively and becoming
obese (and/or bulimic).
NOTE: If parent caused significant psychological harm or is likely to cause significant

psychological harm, use the psychological harm decision tree first and use this decision tree
if you have already ruled out psychological harm.
Is there another parent who cares for and protects the child?
You or another person has met with a second parent who lives in the home who does not
abuse alcohol or drugs and who provides care and protection appropriate to the child’s needs
including:
 Second parent is fully aware of the other parent’s substance abuse issues and
impact or potential impact on the children;
AND
 Second parent provides a description of ways he/she is acting to protect the

child.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 This is a single-parent family.
OR
 All adults abuse alcohol/drugs.
OR
 At least one adult does not abuse alcohol/drugs but does not meet child’s
needs (e.g. emotionally unable, physically unable, financially unable); or you
have no information regarding the presence of another adult in the household
who can meet the child’s care, well-being and safety needs.

Are you aware that the family is currently benefiting from services or assistance to
address the substance abuse?
 You or another person have already had a conversation with either the using or
non-using parent about your concerns and have provided resources for
services/interventions, or the family has sought services on their own. This
may include treatment for the substance-abusing parent, plans for someone
else to care for the child, etc.
AND
 Parent has agreed to services or assistance, and based on time elapsed since
services were recommended, has engaged in services and is making progress
toward reducing risk of harm to child. For example, the parent is not using
when responsible for the child, or the non-abusing parent is assuming more
responsibility.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
Parent has refused services, indicated acceptance but after a reasonable period of time has not
engaged in services or, having engaged in services, is not effectively using services to reduce
risk of harm to child. This may be evidenced by the following:
 Indicators that child’s needs are not being met;

 Isolation of child; and/or
 Capacity of the parent to provide adequate care for the child.
Has parent refused or avoided services to reduce risk?
 You or another person has had a conversation with at least one parent about
your concerns and the parent states that there is no substance abuse issue in the
home, or acknowledges the issue but states that no services will be pursued.
 The family states that they will pursue services, but after a reasonable period
of time has not followed through and the problem continues to have an
adverse impact on the child.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The parent is willing to engage in new or additional services to address the

substance abuse concern.

AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The family does not require an intensive case management response however
has an unmet need which would benefit from a direct referral to a support
service targeted at providing support for this need.

Parent Concern: Mental Health P a g e | 108
PARENT CONCERN: MENTAL HEALTH
If you have a parent concern and are a QH employee consider consulting with a child
Does the parent’s mental health concern impact or is it likely to impact his/her ability to
meet the child’s needs and/or does the child’s behaviour indicate the significant impact
of parent’s mental health concern?
 You are aware that a parent has a mental health concern. Your awareness may
be based on personal observations or credible statements by the child or
another person. Include parents/carers who you reasonably suspect have
mental health signs and symptoms to the extent that these signs and symptoms
are having a negative impact on them (e.g. capacity to fulfil parenting role,
health, finances, relationships, employment, legal issues). Indicators of mental
health concern (examples):
Examples of Indicators of Mental Health Concerns

Type of Mental Health
What You May Notice
Concern
 Parent has been diagnosed with mental illness.
ALL  Parent is receiving therapy for mental illness.
 Parent is on medication for mental illness.
 Suicide attempts, threats or preparations.
 Extremely sad for long periods of time and there is no
obvious reason.
 Loss of energy, unable to manage routine tasks and self-
Mood Disorders
care.
 Loss of appetite, weight loss or uncontrolled eating.
 Unable to sleep.
 Loss of interest in activities, withdrawal.
 Worries and fears that are extremely out of proportion
Anxiety
and that interfere with daily life.
 Hears voices or sees things that others do not.
 Unfounded beliefs that others are conspiring against
Psychotic Disorders him/her.
 Beliefs that thoughts are being ‘planted’.
 Unfounded beliefs of self-importance, powers.
 Hoarding.
Compulsions/Obsessions
 Excessive hand washing, fear of germs.
 Completely focused on him/herself and oblivious to the
Personality Disorders
needs of those around him/her.
AND
» Parent is not meeting child’s needs OR will likely be unable to meet

with food, supervision, stable housing, safe living conditions or other
basic care because parent was experiencing mental health symptoms.

Consider child’s age/developmental status. Older children/young
people are less dependent on their parent to meet basic needs, whilst
infants/newborns have no ability to protect themselves or meet any of
their own needs.
NOTE: If failure to meet needs meets criteria for neglect, use neglect
decision tree first and use this decision tree if you have already ruled
out neglect. NOTE: Do not include education non-attendance unless
relevant.
» Parent’s emotional status inhibits or prevents him/her from forming a

relationship with his/her infant/newborn. For example, mother is
depressed (including post natal depression) and not responsive to
infant. This may be observed by identifying depression in the mother,
or by observing behaviours such as refusing to hold newborn, failure to
respond to infant’s cues, etc.
» Child’s behaviour indicates significant impact of parent’s mental

health concern. Child exhibits indicators of emotional disturbance. The
following table provides examples, but it is a guide only. If you are not
familiar with indicators of emotional disturbance, you are encouraged
to consult with a professional in your agency with expertise in this area
of child protection.
Examples of Indicators of Emotional Disturbance

 Losing term significant
developmental relationships.
milestones already
achieved.
 Inconsolable.
 Head banging.
 Upset by loud noises, quick movements.  Self-harming/suicidal.
 Withdrawn, not playful and/or play imitates  Constant worry about violence/dangers.
violence between parents/carers.  Desensitisation to violence.
 Unusually extreme separation anxiety or no  Decline in school performance.
separation anxiety.  Feels worthless about life and him/herself.
 Unable to value others or show empathy.


 Increased aggressive behaviour.
 Extreme anxiety, such as inability to sit still that is not related to ADHD.
 Extreme attention seeking.
 Takes extreme risk; is markedly disruptive, bullying or aggressive.
More than occasional difficulty sleeping or eating, displays startle response, losing weight, eating
compulsively and becoming obese (and/or bulimic), episodes of physical complaints for which there is no
known physical cause (e.g. stomach aches, headaches).
NOTE: If parent caused significant psychological harm to the child, or is likely to cause
significant psychological harm, use the psychological harm decision tree first and use this
decision tree if you have already ruled out psychological harm.
Is there another parent or caregiver who cares for and protects the child?
You or another person has met with a second parent who lives in the home who does not have
a mental health concern and who provides care and protection appropriate to the child’s needs
including:
 Second parent is fully aware of the other parent’s mental health issues and
impact or potential impact on the children;
OR

child such as assuring that the parent with mental health concerns is never
alone with the children.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
OR
 All adults have mental health concerns.
OR

 At least one adult does not have mental health concerns, but does not meet
child’s needs (e.g. emotionally unable, physically unable, financially unable or
legally unable such as Family Court Orders).
OR
 You have no information regarding the presence of another adult in the

household who can meet the child’s care, well-being and safety needs.
the mental illness?
 You or another person have already had a conversation with either parent
about your concerns and have provided resources for effective
services/interventions, or the family has sought services on their own.
AND
 Parent has agreed to services, and based on time elapsed since services were
recommended, has engaged in services.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
You are not aware whether the parent is currently receiving services; OR parent indicated
acceptance but after a reasonable period of time has not engaged in services; or, having
engaged in services, is not effectively using services to reduce risk of harm to child. This may
be evidenced by the following:
 Indicators that child’s developmental needs are not being met;

 Absence of services isolates child; and/or
Has parent refused or avoided services to reduce risk?
 You or another person has had a conversation with at least one parent about
your concerns, and the parent states that there is no mental health issue in the
home, or acknowledges the issue but states that no services will be pursued.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The parent is willing to engage in new or additional services to address the

mental health concern.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Parent Concern: Intellectual or P a g e | 113
PARENT CONCERN: INTELLECTUAL OR COGNITIVE DISABILITY
Does the parent’s intellectual or cognitive disability impact or is it likely to impact on

his/her ability to meet the child’s needs, or does the child’s behaviour indicate the
significant impact of parent’s intellectual or cognitive disability?
 You are aware that a parent has an intellectual or cognitive disability. Your
awareness may be based on assessment by relevant professionals, or personal
or credible statements by the child or another person. Include parents/carers
whom you reasonably suspect of having an intellectual or cognitive disability
to the extent that symptoms are having a negative impact on them (e.g. health,
finances, relationships, employment, legal issues).
Indicators of Intellectual or Cognitive Disability or Learning Impairment

What You May Notice
 Parent has been diagnosed with intellectual or cognitive
disability or has a learning impairment.
Diagnosis and Early
 Parent has been offered appropriate and accessible support
Intervention
services for intellectual or cognitive disability or learning
impairment.
 Parent lacks skills to meet basic living and developmental
Ability to Care for Their Child needs and ensure the safety of his/her child, despite access to
the information and opportunities to learn.
 In conversations, the parent cannot think and respond within a
typical span of time.
Ability to Process Information
 Parent is unable to read, or has extremely limited reading
skills despite opportunities to learn.
 The parent needs assistance to communicate clearly about how
Communication he/she is able to meet the child’s developmental needs and
ensure the safety of the child.
AND
» Parent is not meeting child’s needs or will likely be unable to meet

with food, supervision, stable housing, safe living conditions or other
basic care because parent did not have the intellectual capacity to
understand the child’s needs, follow plans for meeting the child’s
needs or make decisions about child needs. Consider child’s
age/developmental status; older children/young people are less
dependent on their parent to meet basic needs, whilst infants/newborns
have no ability to protect themselves or meet any of their own needs.

NOTE: If failure to meet needs meets criteria for neglect, use neglect
decision tree first and use this decision tree if you have already ruled
out neglect. NOTE: do not include education non-attendance unless
relevant.
» Parent’s intellectual or cognitive disability or learning impairment

inhibits or prevents him/her from forming a relationship with his/her
infant/newborn. For example, mother cannot process information and
as a result is not responsive to infant. This may be observed behaviours
such as refusing to hold newborn, failure to respond to infant’s cues,
etc.
» Child’s behaviour and/or living conditions indicate significant impact

of parent’s intellectual or cognitive disability or learning impairment.
Child exhibits adverse impact. The following table provides examples,
but it is a guide only. If you are not familiar with ways children can be
adversely affected by a parent’s cognitive disability, you are
encouraged to consult with Child Safety - RIS or a professional with
expertise in this area. If you are a QH employee consider consulting
with a child protection liaison officer (CPLO) or child protection
advisor (CPA). If you are a DETE employee consider consulting with a
guidance officer or senior guidance officer.
Possible Impacts of Parent Intellectual Ability on Child

What You May Notice
 Parent engages in incorrect feeding practices, and is unable
to understand instructions regarding appropriate feeding.
Infants  Parent has ignored indicators of illness that should prompt
medical attention.
 Child is behind on developmental milestones.
 Falling behind on developmental milestones.
Toddlers
 Allowed to play in dangerous situations.
 Parent is unable to assist child with schoolwork where he/she
School Age may be reasonably expected to do so.
 Child assumes responsibility for self and siblings.
Are there indicators that there is another parent who can support the parent with an
intellectual or cognitive disability to care for and protect the child?
You or another person has met with a second parent in the home who does not have an
intellectual or cognitive disability or learning impairment and who provides care and
protection appropriate to the child’s needs including:
 Second parent is fully aware of the other parent’s intellectual or cognitive

disability or learning impairment and impact or potential impact on the
children.

child such as assuring that the parent with intellectual disability is never alone
with the children where there is a risk of harm.

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
OR
 All adults living with the child have an intellectual or cognitive disability.
OR
 At least one adult does not have an intellectual or cognitive disability, but does
not meet child’s needs (e.g. emotionally unable, physically unable, financially
unable or legally unable such as Family Court Orders).
Are you aware that the parent with an intellectual or cognitive disability is currently
benefiting from appropriate supports and services?
 You or another person have already had a conversation with either parent
about your concerns and have provided resources for effective
services/interventions, or the family has sought services on their own;
AND
 Parent has agreed to services, and based on time elapsed since services were
recommended, has engaged in services.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
You are not aware whether the parent is currently receiving or able to access services; or
parent indicated acceptance but after a reasonable period of time has not engaged in services;
or, having engaged in services, is not effectively using services to reduce risk of harm to
child. This may be evidenced by the following:
 Indicators that child’s basic living and developmental needs are not being met;
and/or
 Absence of services for the parent isolates the parent and/or the child; and/or
Has parent been unable to access appropriate supports and services?
 You or another person had a conversation with at least one parent about your
concerns, and the parent stated that there is no person with an intellectual or
cognitive disability or learning impairment, or acknowledged the issue but
stated that no services will be pursued.

ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The parent is willing to engage in new or additional services to manage the

intellectual disability.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

Parent Concern: Domestic Violence P a g e | 117
PARENT CONCERN: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Has there been an incident of domestic violence where one or more of the following
occurred and a child normally resides in the home?
 Use of weapon (gun, knife, etc.)

 Attempt to strangle/suffocate/kill
 Serious injury to adult
 Physical injury to a child
 Serious threat to harm child/adult/self
 Significant escalation in pattern of violence

One or more of the following is occurring or has recently occurred:
 One or more parents or adults in the home used a weapon capable of causing
significant injury. For example, a gun, knife, blunt object such as a hammer or
a flammable liquid. Use means that the weapon was deployed (i.e. fired gun,
slashed with knife, swung object, poured flammable liquid) or displayed in a
threatening manner (i.e. pointed gun or showed it implying threat, held knife
or blunt object in threatening manner);
 An adult attempted to kill a household member by any other means (i.e.

strangle or suffocate);
 A parent/adult suffered a serious injury during the incident including but not
limited to strangulation, sexual assault, fractures, internal injuries,
disfigurement, burns, death and/or any injury that may require hospitalisation;
 A child suffered physical injury during the incident, including bruising, cuts or
burns, or other more severe injuries. The child need not have been the
intended target of the violence, but may have been injured as a result of
proximity to the intended target of the violence (e.g. infant being carried by
the mother) or whilst in the process of running away from/evading the
violence;
 Threat of significant harm to child or another parent/adult or self (e.g. threat to

kill self, sexual assault, kidnap, hold hostage, murder, serious injury or harm);
and/or
 The child/parent/other adult discloses a significant increase in the number and

severity of incidents. For example, there are now injuries that may not be
significant, but there are repeated episodes of minor injuries and the injuries
are getting worse or are happening more often.

Was a child:
 Attempting to intervene?
 In parent’s arms or close enough proximity to be hurt?
 Significantly emotionally/psychologically distressed by incident(s)?
 The subject of a previous unborn child report related to domestic
violence?
 Child attempted to intervene. During a physical altercation between adults, a

child attempted to hold back the aggressor and/or protect the victim or
participated in assaulting the victim; and/or
 Child was in parent’s arms or in close enough proximity to be hurt. During a

physical altercation between adults, either adult was holding a child in his/her
arms OR a child was near enough to the altercation that even though child was
not attempting to intervene, the course of the altercation did or was likely to
include the child’s location; and/or
NOTE: Consider the range of potential harm based on use of

weapons/duration of incident compared to child’s location. For example, if a
gun was involved, the child’s presence anywhere in the home should be
answered ‘yes’. If an object was thrown, a child’s presence anywhere in range
of the throw should be answered ‘yes’. If adults carried the altercation from
room to room over many minutes to hours, a child anywhere in the home
should be answered ‘yes’.
 Child significantly emotionally/psychologically distressed by incident(s).

During and/or following the incident(s) the child demonstrated significant
emotional distress. Examples include shaking with fear, inconsolable sobbing,
cowering or hiding OR showing little or no emotion especially when the
violence has been longstanding.

 Not responding to cuddling.  Regression in toilet  Bed wetting.  Involved in violent
 Not smiling or making sounds. training, language or  Significant relationships.
 Losing developmental milestones other skills. behaviour  Difficulty
already achieved.  Head banging. changes. maintaining long-
 Inconsolable.  Regressive behaviour. term significant
 Head banging.  Difficulties in relationships.
 Slow weight gain. sleeping.
 Upset by loud noises, quick movements/displays startle response.  Self-harming/suicidal/social isolation.
 Withdrawn, not playful and/or play imitates violence between  Constant worry about violence/dangers.
parents/carers.  Desensitisation to violence.
 Unusually extreme separation anxiety or no separation anxiety.  Decline in school performance.
 Feels worthless about life and him/herself.
 Unable to value others or show empathy.


 Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities (i.e. not merely
moving on to an interest in a new activity).
activities, a new pattern of getting involved in fights, failing in school
despite history of good performance, becoming involved in offences).
More than occasional difficulty sleeping or eating e.g. losing weight, eating compulsively and becoming obese (and/or
bulimic). Episodes of physical complaints for which there is no known physical cause (e.g. stomach aches, headaches).
 You have information that whilst mother was pregnant with this child, a report
was made to Child Safety (whether accepted or not) because of concerns
related to domestic violence AND since that report the violence has continued.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 Child was not directly in harm’s way.
AND
 No child in the home was the subject of a prenatal report related to domestic
violence, OR if such a report was made, effective steps toward eliminating the
violence have occurred.
Are you aware of the presence of risk factors including:
 Current DVO or family law contact orders;
 Recent/imminent divorce or separation;
 Stalking, extremely controlling behaviour or sexual assault of a parent;
 Aggressor has significant mental health issues or severe alcohol or drug

abuse; and/or
 One or a combination of additional risk factors?
 There is a current DVO (provisional, interim or final) due to violence against a

household member or there is a current family law contact order prohibiting

contact of one or more household members by another person because of

violence;
 The most recent violent incident was, or appears to have been, triggered by a
divorce or separation within an intimate relationship of one or more household
members within the past six months; OR one family member is planning to
separate in the near future; OR a court date to finalise a divorce is imminent;
 The aggressor has been stalking (following; aggressive phone, email, text,
mail contact; watching) the parent; OR the aggressor has exhibited other
highly controlling behaviour (persistent isolation from family and friends;
complete control of all money; repeatedly denying access to ceremonies, land,
family, religious observance; forcing people to do things against their beliefs;
repeatedly locking the victim in or outside the house); OR the aggressor has
forced sexual contact on parent;
 The aggressor has mental health issues that have resulted in violent or
aggressive behaviour. For example, aggressor is extremely paranoid, not in
touch with reality, hearing or seeing things others do not see; OR aggressor
frequently uses alcohol or other drugs to an extent that he/she becomes violent
and out of control; or
 None of the above are present, but one or a combination of several risk factors
suggest that further violence is likely in the near future.
Examples of risk factors include the following:
» Parent experiencing domestic violence is in a constant state of fear;

» Parent experiencing domestic violence fears for the child’s safety;
» Recent or prolonged unemployment is causing stress;
» Severe financial stress;
» Severe social isolation;
» Mental health concerns;
» Abuse of alcohol or other drugs;
» A history of prior DVO or family law contact orders;
» Weapons in the home;
» Parent experiencing domestic violence is pregnant;
» Cruel treatment of animals/family pets by the person using violence;
» Conflict over family law issues;
» A child in the home is not a biological child of person using violence;
» A history of domestic violence.
Are you aware the family is currently benefiting from services or assistance to address
domestic violence?
concerns and have provided resources for effective supports/services/solutions, or
the family has sought supports/services/solutions on their own. This may include

accessing a domestic violence service or other resources or solutions to support

the ongoing safety of the child.
AND/OR;
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:

FAMIY AND CHILD CONNECT P a g e | 122
or intensive family support Services
FAMILY AND CHILD CONNECT OR INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
Have you obtained consent from the family to refer directly to services?
 The family has given their consent to refer them directly to services.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 The family has not given their consent to be referred directly to services.
Are you from a particular prescribed entity?
You are from a particular prescribed entity defined at section 159M of the Child Protection
Act 1999. This includes certain professionals who are employees of:
 Child Safety and Disability Services;

 Adult corrective services;
 Education;
 Housing;
 Police;
 Disability services;
 Community services;
 Public health;
 Mater health services;
 A health service within the meaning of Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011;
or
 The principal of a school that is accredited, or provisionally accredited, under
the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2001.
If you are unsure whether you are from a particular prescribed entity or are a delegated
professional to share information under section 159M, consult with your supervisor before
referring a family without consent.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
You are not from a particular prescribed entity such as those listed above.
If you are unsure whether you are from a particular prescribed entity or are a delegated
professional to share information under section 159M, consult with your supervisor.
Consent is required to refer the family for support. Document your concerns. Also consider:
 Seeking consent from the family;

 Providing information to the family about available resources; and/or
 Monitoring the family.

FAMIY AND CHILD CONNECT P a g e | 123
or intensive family support Services
Is it necessary to conduct further identification of family needs prior to determining the

most appropriate support service for the family?
 Further identification of family needs is required prior to determining the most

appropriate support service for the family.
ANSWER ‘NO’ IF:
 You have enough information about the needs of the family to indicate that an
intensive family support service is the most appropriate service to address the
family’s needs.

Cultural Notes P a g e | 124
CULTURAL NOTES
Working With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and Communities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are overrepresented in the child protection
system for a variety of reasons. As a result of the policies, practices and actions of
government agencies in the past, there continues to be a disproportionate representation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system. Consultation,
respectful relationships and cultural sensitivity are needed in order to work effectively with
Aboriginal people to ensure the safety of children/young people.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s right to participate in the care and protection of
their children is contained in the Child Protection Act 1999. The Child Protection Act 1999
recognises that the safety, welfare and well-being of a child is the paramount consideration
for a reporter or a worker. Consequently, while being aware of cultural sensitivities, the
reporter’s focus must remain on ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the child as
prescribed by the Act.
If behaviours are occurring that you suspect place a child at risk of significant harm, they
should not be minimised or dismissed on cultural grounds. Likewise, behaviours or practices
that are culturally unfamiliar to a reporter should not be reported if they do not place the child
at risk of harm.
Any cultural information that may assist in the assessment of a case should always be
included in a report.
Working With Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

Culture and experience do influence parenting and caregiving practices; however, it is critical
that reporters maintain a focus on the impact or effects of these on the child. Where there are
grounds to suspect harm from parent behaviours, reporters must take the necessary reporting
actions. Behaviours that are suspected of causing harm should not be minimised or dismissed
on cultural grounds.
Workers must focus on the impact of the behaviour or practice on the child and ask, ‘Does
this cause or threaten harm?’
However, behaviours/practices that are influenced by culture should not be reported simply
because they are different or unfamiliar to the reporter, nor should practices be reported
where they do not cause significant harm nor place the child at risk of significant harm.
Reporters with information about the possible bearing of cultural, linguistic, refugee,
migration and/or settlement factors on the case are encouraged to provide this information as
part of their report. This information can assist in the subsequent assessment of the case.

Glossary P a g e | 125
GLOSSARY
Attachment
Attachment is an emotional bond to another person. Psychologist John Bowlby was the first
attachment theorist, describing attachment as a ‘lasting psychological connectedness between
human beings’ (Bowlby, 1969). Bowlby believed that the earliest bonds formed by children
with their caregivers have a tremendous impact that continues throughout life.
Child Exploitation Material

Child exploitation material2 means material that, in a way likely to cause offence to a
reasonable adult, describes or depicts someone who is, or apparently is, a child under 16
years:
a. In a sexual context, i.e. engaging in a sexual activity;

b. In an offensive or demeaning context; or
c. Being subjected to abuse, cruelty or torture.
Complex Needs
Possible indicators of complex and/or multiple needs include:
AND/OR;
Developmental Delay
Developmental delay usually refers to a developmental lag, meaning that a child’s cognitive
abilities do not match the expectations for his/her chronological age. It is important to note
that children continue to grow and develop over a period of time and at individual rates.
Sometimes development lags because of a physical, visual or hearing impairment; illness or
malnutrition; or other environmental factors. In some cases, when the situation is rectified or
therapy and supports put in place, the developmental delay may be redressed.
Developmental Milestones
Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most
children can do at a certain age range, and which are used to check on children’s
development. Although each milestone has an age level, the actual age when a normally
developing child reaches that milestone can vary.
2
s207A Criminal Code 1899

A guide to physical and cognitive developmental milestones can be accessed at

http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/child-safety-practice-manual/chapters/1-
intake/resources or http://www.health.qld.gov.au/child-youth/.
Domestic and Family Violence

Domestic and family violence is violent or abusive behaviour by a person toward someone
who is their partner, ex-partner or co-parent, family member, carer or person they are
providing care for. Domestic and family violence includes not only physical and sexual
abuse, but also emotional and psychological abuse, economic abuse, threats, coercive
behaviour, or any other behaviour that controls, dominates or causes fear for the safety and
well-being of the direct victim or any other person, such as children.
The Parent Concern: Domestic Violence decision tree is intended for situations involving
violence toward a child’s parent or another adult in the child’s household. Violence or abuse
directed toward a child should be assessed using the Physical Abuse, Emotional Abuse or
Sexual Abuse trees.
Domestic Violence Order (DVO)

Domestic Violence Order (DVO) is an order made by a court that restricts the behaviour of
the person against whom the order has been made, who is called the respondent. The purpose
of a DVO is to protect a person, who is called the aggrieved, from further domestic violence
in the future. For the court to make a DVO, the respondent and the aggrieved must be in a
spousal, intimate personal, family or informal care relationship.
A DVO can also name a relative (including a child) or other associate of the aggrieved for
that person’s protection. A DVO will always state that the respondent must be of good
behaviour toward the aggrieved and any named person and not commit further acts of
domestic violence. Other conditions can be included if necessary, such as prohibiting the
respondent from contacting the aggrieved or a named person, or going within a certain
distance of his/her home or workplace.
In Queensland there are two types of DVOs:
 Protection Orders are the final order made by the court.
 Temporary Protection Orders (TPO) are made while the court is still to hear
and decide an application for a protection order.
Harm
Members of the community and mandatory reporters who form a reasonable suspicion that a
child may be in need of protection should report their concerns to the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety). The Child Protection Act
19993 (the Act) clarifies that in forming this suspicion the reporter should consider whether
the child:
 Has suffered significant harm, is suffering significant harm or is at

unacceptable risk of suffering significant harm; and
3
S10 Child Protection Act 1999

 May not have a parent able and willing to protect the child from harm.
Section 9 of the Act defines harm as the following:
1. Harm, to a child, is any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the child’s

physical, psychological or emotional well-being.
2. It is immaterial how the harm is caused.
3. Harm can be caused by:
a. Physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect; or

b. Sexual abuse or exploitation.
4. Harm can be caused by:
a. A single act, omission or circumstance; or

b. A series or combination of acts, omissions or circumstances.
Section 13C of the Act provides guidance on what to consider in identifying significant harm
and developing a reasonable suspicion that a child may not have a parent able and willing to
protect him/her. For example, it considers the detrimental effects on the child’s body or
psychological state and their nature and severity, the child’s age and the reporter’s
professional knowledge.
Household Member
A household member is any person who has significant in-home contact with the child,
including those who have a familial or intimate relationship with any person in the home.
This includes stepparents or partners of a parent living with the child who may not be the
child’s primary parent.
Mandatory Reporter
Sections 13E and 13F of the Act specify certain professionals who must report a reasonable
suspicion that a child may be in need of protection as a result of significant physical or sexual
abuse. Mandatory reporters include doctors, registered nurses, approved teachers, certain
police officers, officers of the Public Guardian, employees of the Department of
Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and employees of licensed care services.
It should be noted that Mandatory Reporters should also report a reasonable suspicion that a
child is in need of protection caused by any other type of abuse.
Non-Organic Failure to Thrive (NOFTT)

Failure to thrive (also called psychosocial failure to thrive) is defined as decelerated or
arrested physical growth (height and weight measurements fall below the fifth percentile, or
there is a downward change in growth across two major growth percentiles) associated with
poor developmental and emotional functioning. Organic failure to thrive occurs when there is
an underlying medical cause. NOFTT occurs in a child who is usually younger than 2 years
old and has no known medical condition that causes poor growth.

Psychological, social or economic problems within the family almost always play a role in
the cause of NOFTT. Emotional or maternal deprivation is often related to nutritional
deprivation. The mother or primary carer may neglect proper feeding of the infant because of
preoccupation with the demands or care of others, her own emotional problems, substance
abuse, lack of knowledge about proper feeding or lack of understanding of the infant’s needs.
Organic failure to thrive is caused by medical complications of premature birth or other
illnesses that interfere with feeding and normal bonding activities between parents and
infants.
Parent
A parent of a child is defined4 as the child’s mother, father or someone else (other than the
chief executive) having or exercising parental responsibility for the child. However, a person
standing in the place of a parent of a child on a temporary basis is not a parent of the child. A
parent of an Aboriginal child includes a person who, under Aboriginal tradition, is regarded
as a parent of the child. A parent of a Torres Strait Islander child includes a person who,
under island custom, is regarded as a parent of the child.
Procuring Prostitution5
A person who procures another person to engage in prostitution, either in Queensland or
elsewhere, is procuring prostitution. ‘Procuring’ includes knowingly enticing or recruiting for
the purposes of sexual exploitation.
The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services is licensed to reproduce, install and
display SDM materials for internal purposes. Any modification or addition has to be approved by the National
Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD). NCCD will then grant a licence to use such agreed upon
modifications or additions for internal purposes only.
4
s11 Child Protection Act 1999
5
s229G Criminal Code 1899

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The Structured Decision Making® System

for Child Protective Services

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

Children’s Research Center is a nonprofit social research organisation

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

The CPG supports professionals to make these decisions by:

 Focusing on the critical factors for decision making;

 Operationalising the legislation to ensure reporting obligations are met;

 Identifying alternative and additional ways to support a family where the

 Providing details of available local support services;

 Providing a consistent and objective framework for analysing concerns; and

 Promoting shared principles, language and thresholds across the system.

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

When To Use This Guide

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

1. Report to Child Safety – Regional Intake Service

To report child protection concerns, use the contact details below.

Regional Contact Details for Reporting Child Protection Concerns

 A description of the specific circumstances that supported your ‘YES’ or ‘NO’

 Child/ren’s details (name, DOB, sex, indigenous status/ethnicity, language).

 Parent/carer’s details (name, DOB, sex, indigenous status/ethnicity, language).

 Other household members’ details (name, DOB, sex, indigenous

 Date the concerns were received.

 Parent/carer’s protective actions or abilities, if known.

 History of previous relevant contact with service.

 Reporting officer’s details (name, position, contact details).

 The report does not meet the threshold for a notification; or

Irrespective of what Child Safety does, it is important to maintain your professional

2. Refer to Family and Child Connect to provide further identification of family

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

necessary to conduct further identification of family needs prior to determining the

4. Direct referral to services to address the identified needs.

5. Report not required.

A. Document decision. Following your agency protocol, prepare a record of your

B. Provide referrals as appropriate. If your non-reportable concerns include an

C. Monitor and support child well-being as appropriate. If your professional

Legislative provisions in regard to information exchange are located in Chapter 5A of

PROCESS FOR COMPLETING THE QUEENSLAND CHILD PROTECTION

NOTE: If the decision is ‘report’, it is NOT NECESSARY to complete any

3. Apply the definition provided to EVERY question you are asked.

4. If you arrive at a decision point, proceed to step 6.

b. Are any other decision trees relevant? If so, complete those.

a. Follow the recommendation;

b. Consider whether to complete an additional decision tree; or

c. Consult with a professional in your agency, e.g. Child Protection Liaison

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

Welcome to the online Queensland Child Protection Guide (CPG).

The CPG is intended to complement rather than replace an individual professional’s

1. Start on this page.

4. It is important to read the accompanying definitions to provide a ‘yes’ or

5. A decision report can be generated with an explanation of the outcome

If a child has a serious illness or injury requiring immediate medical attention OR a

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

Decision trees for selection include:

Decision Tree Use This When:

© 2014 by NCCD, All Rights Reserved

Decision Tree Use This When: