Child Protection is a branch of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing that is responsible for protecting children and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children. Child Protection has the role of investigating cases to assess whether a child is at risk of harm.
Main functions of Child Protection include:
- Investigate matters that may involve a risk of significant harm towards a child
- Refer children and families to services that maintain safety and wellbeing of a child
- Make applications to the Children’s Court if a child’s safety is not guaranteed within the family
- Administer protection orders granted by the Children’s Court
When Child Protection May Speak to You
Child Protection may request to speak to you if they believe your child may be at risk of harm. Child Protection may come to your house or ask you to go to their office.
What Happens if I speak to Child Protection?
If Child Protection has requested to interview you, this means that a report or concern has arisen regarding your child’s safety or wellbeing. The interview will involve gathering relevant information to the investigation, and to assess whether a protection application to the Children’s Court is necessary.
If you speak to Child Protection, ensure that you note the case worker’s name and contact details.
Legal Advice
If Child Protection is investigating a matter that relates to you as the parent, legal advice will be essential. If you require legal advice regarding a Child Protection matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.
