If someone believes that you are at risk of being hurt or not taken care of properly, they can tell the Child Protection. This is a government agency within the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).
Some people in the community are required by law to tell Child protection, this is called mandatory reporting.
Why someone might think you're at risk
- someone is hurting or mistreating you
- you are being neglected
- you have run away from home
- you are behaving in a risky way or you are hurting yourself.
When a report is made
Anyone who is worried that you are not safe or being cared for at home can make a report to Child protection.
Mandatory reporting also applies. These means that some people, including doctors, nurses, midwives, teachers, and police officers, must tell the department if they believe you are being harmed or you’re at serious risk of harm. More information can be found on the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing – Child protection website.
What happens when a report is investigated
Child protection takes every report seriously.
When they investigate a report, this can include speaking to you, your family members and other people involved with your family.
Each family’s situation is different. Child protection may decide not to do anything, or they might get involved with your family for a short or long time.
Being contacted by Child protection workers
A worker from the Child protection will want to talk to you and your family. The worker should explain why they are visiting you, and discuss the problems people have talked to them about.
They are meant to work with you and your family to sort things out to make sure you are safe. You don’t have to talk to them, but they will still need to investigate the report.
You should be told of any decisions that are made. If you don’t understand what’s happening, ask the Child protection worker to explain.
Read more about child protection.
Going to the Children’s Court
If Child protection believes that you are not safe, they may make an application to the Children's Court to ask for a court order to protect you.
Explore our publications and resources
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Explore our related pages
- Going to court.
- Child protection.
- Parenting orders.
- Sexual assault.
- Parenting arrangements and child contact.
- Violence abuse and personal safety.
Support from other websites
- Children's Court – Child protection: read about the Children's Court and child protection including support services.
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