The Office of Safeguarding has been advised that there are often delays of several weeks in the triage of e-Reports, and therefore, information is often not responded to promptly through this channel. For serious matters, this may result in delayed intervention, or further risk to the child.

If a child presents to you, or you are advised of a child who:

• has suffered a serious physical assault (including excessive discipline or injury)
• has been sexually abused, including sexual misconduct (e.g. sexting, grooming etc.)
• is subject to imminent significant risk of harm (e.g. serious DV occurring in the home or serious neglect)

You must advise your local leader and ensure that a ROSH report is made by phone to the Child Protection Helpline (132 111).

There can be significant wait times when contacting the Helpline. Please stay on the line to make the report. If a criminal offense has occurred, please also ensure you make a Police report.

Do not assume that because you have reported to one of these agencies, there will be communication between them, or that your report to one agency will initiate a response from the other.

When to use e-Reporting

You can utilise the e-Reporting pathway for Child Protection concerns where:

• There is lesser urgency, such as cumulative harm, whereby there are no immediate risks to the child’s safety.
• You are not aware of the occurrence of any serious injury (physical, sexual, psychological) or event that has harmed the child.
• There are child-wellbeing concerns that are related to abuse, but do not pose an imminent risk of significant harm.

Remember to use the Mandatory Reporting Guide (MRG) to assist in this decision-making process. Please pay close attention to the definitions and examples within the MRG when using this tool, to ensure accuracy.

Also consider the other agencies or community supports working with the family, and whether they should also be contacted.

Remember:

• You can share information with ‘prescribed bodies’ relating to the safety, welfare or wellbeing of a child. Chapter 16A of the Children and Young Person’s Care and Protection Act allows legal information sharing for the purpose of making decisions, assessments, plans, and providing services, to support coordinated child protection efforts. A full list of prescribed bodies and information-sharing provisions is available here, through the DCJ website.
• The law encourages you to continue to work with and help protect a child whom you have reported to DCJ.

The Office of Safeguarding is also available for consultation with your leadership team regarding ROSH reporting. Leaders can contact OoSG on 4979 1390.

Timely and appropriate reporting is a critical part of our shared safeguarding responsibility. By contacting the Child Protection Helpline when required, you help ensure that children and young people are heard, protected and supported.