About child protection

Child Safety Services is dedicated to protecting children and young people who have been harmed, or are at risk of harm.

It is immaterial how harm to a child or young person is caused. What is important, in terms of whether a child is in need of protection, is whether a child or young person:

• has suffered significant harm, is suffering significant harm, or is at risk of suffering significant harm
• does not have a parent or carer able and willing to protect the child from harm.

The department's role in protecting children and young people is to:

• investigate concerns that a child or young person has been harmed or is at risk of significant harm
• provide ongoing services to children and young people who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing significant harm.

The causes of harm to children and young people are numerous. These can have a detrimental effect on a child or young person's physical or emotional health, development and wellbeing.

When the child's parents are unable or unwilling to protect them, child protection services may be needed. Protecting children at risk of harm requires immediate and serious attention.

Effective protection of children relies on concerned community members reporting their concerns. This needs to occur in a timely way to prevent concerns becoming more serious.

If you are concerned that a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm, please report the suspected child abuse.