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Assessment orders data

• Graphs
• Tables
• What are assessment orders?
• Why this topic is important
• Trends

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Graphs

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Tables

• Admissions to Temporary Assessment Orders, departmental zone by year of admission, Queensland, 2003-04 to 2007-08 (Excel 25 KB)
• Admissions to Court Assessment Orders, departmental zone by year of admission, Queensland, 2003-04 to 2007-08 (Excel 25 KB)

Quarterly data

• Admissions to Court Assessment Orders, departmental zone by year of admission, Queensland, 2003-04 to year ending 31 December 2008 (Excel 24 KB)

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What are assessment orders?

Assessment orders authorise actions during the investigation and assessment process where the consent of the parents has not been able to be obtained.

There are two types of assessment orders:

• Temporary Assessment Orders (TAO) - if parents will not consent to actions necessary to complete an investigation and assessment a TAO can be sought directly from a magistrate to ensure completion of an investigation and assessment in a timely manner. A TAO cannot remain in effect for any longer than three days from midnight on the date it was decided and can only be extended if the magistrate is satisfied that the CSO intends to apply for a CAO or a child protection order.
• Court Assessment Order (CAO) - our department must apply to the court for a CAO, a more protracted process than applying directly to a magistrate. CAOs can also provide the authority to temporarily take a child into custody of the chief executive (Director-General) of our department, however, guardianship remains with the child's parents. CAOs are granted for a maximum of 28 days, however the Child Protection Act 1999 allows for one extension of a further 28 days.

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Why this topic is important

A thorough investigation and assessment is critical in determining the current and ongoing safety and protective needs of a child.

The departments response to all notifications is to conduct an investigation and assessment. When this cannot occur with parental consent, assessment orders enable the department to proceed.

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Trends

During 2007-08, there were 2,958 admissions to assessment orders, comprising 1,407 admissions to TAOs and 1,551 admissions to CAOs.

This is an increase on the 2006-07 figures where there were 2,253 admissions to assessment orders, comprising 1,537 admissions to Court Assessment Orders (CAO) and 716 admissions to Temporary Assessment Orders (TAO).

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Last updated

22 June 2009