Forming a child protection concern

When deciding if you need to report a child protection concern you should have a belief that results in concern for the physical safety, health, psychological or emotional wellbeing of a child.  This belief should be based on reasonable grounds such as:

• observation of physical and/or behavioural indicators
• the child discloses
• someone else such as a relative or friend of the child provides information
• a child discloses that he/she knows someone who has been abused
• the child writing or drawing depicts abuse

When reporting:

• proof is not required
• the injury from physical abuse is considered to be non-accidental
• the indicators are not typical for the age and gender of the child

If the matter concerns child sexual abuse and you are unsure as to whether to report, contact the Mandatory Reporting Service on 1800 708 704

If the matter concerns other forms of abuse and if you are unsure, discuss this confidentially with any of the following:

• DCP duty officer at your local DCP District Office
• your principal
• your line manager
• a member of the student services team
• Child Protection Coordination team
• school nurse.

If you remain unsure you should continue to document observations, information and consultations on the SCHOOL RECORDING FORM FOR DISCLOSURES, OBSERVATIONS AND ACTIONS and provide to the principal for storage.

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Note:

Parents must not be informed:

• that physical or behavioural indicators have been observed in their child which have led to a concern of possible child abuse
• of a suspicion of family and domestic violence
• of an intention to make a report concerning their child to DCP, WA Police or SID.

Parents may be the perpetrators of abuse and to inform them of a concern of possible child abuse may alert them and pose a further risk to the child.

Observations can be discussed with parents in order to seek further information.

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