What to expect from DCP involvement

If you need help caring for your children, or if you are experiencing problems related to housing, mental or physical health, substance misuse or family violence that are affecting how you look after your children you can seek help to ensure your child is cared for and is safe.

Getting help can support you to avoid further involvement from the Department of Child Protection.

Engaging with support can make a difference and keep families together. See Contact List for Family Support and Service Providers.

Notifications:

• The Department of Child Protection (DCP) receives a reported suspicion of child abuse or neglect.

• After consideration of the

Notification, DCP may choose to investigate with or without parental consent.

• DCP will investigate to decide if an intervention requires action to ensure the child’s care and protection.

• DCP will respond within 24 hours if immediate child protection is needed OR • DCP will choose a different response, after assessment and investigation, if there is a more appropriate approach to address the risk to the child, which may involve discussions with the family, in regards to information reported and assistance to connect or reconnect to support services OR

• DCP will close the case if there is no evidence of child abuse or neglect and the child is assessed to be living in an environment that is safe.

Response:

Court:

• The parent must seek legal advice if required to undergo an assessment as the assessment outcome is critical to any further action by DCP. A notice detailing required assessments must be given to the parent.

• DCP will investigate to decide if an intervention requires action to ensure the child’s care and protection. • To make sure your child is safe and protected, DCP may seek a

‘Care and Protection Order’ from the Youth Court. This may be done after the child is removed if there is a serious risk of harm to the child and where there is no alternative.

• DCP court application must be made within 5 working days of the child being removed.

Arrangements can be made for the child through a Family

Group Conference.

Case Management:

• DCP must ensure your child’s safety and wellbeing through this process. This may include supporting reunification, which may occur with a court order in place or if DCP decides to withdraw involvement if the parent can ensure the child’s safety and wellbeing. • DCP must ensure your child is living in a safe and culturally appropriate placement if reunification is not possible, and connections to family, community and culture are sustained and ongoing.