2. Engage the family and gather information
2.1 Commence the investigation and assessment
An investigation and assessment must be commenced within the response priority timeframe of the notification. The starting point for this timeframe begins when the decision is made that the concerns meet the threshold for a notification. This will be either:
- at the time of the notifier's initial contact with Child Safety Services
- at the completion of a pre-notification check - which cannot extend beyond a 24 hour timeframe.
The response timeframe assigned to the notification will be either:
- 24 hours, 5 days or 10 days for a 'standard' notification
- five days - where an unborn child is likely to be born within five days
- 10 days - where an unborn child is likely to be born more than five days after the receipt of the initial concerns.
An investigation and assessment is considered to have commenced when:
- the subject child (or the first of the subject children) is sighted and interviewed (as age and developmentally appropriate) by an authorised officer
- a pregnant woman is first sighted, interviewed and consents to the investigation and assessment, when the notification relates to an unborn child.
In exceptional circumstances where an authorised officer is not able to access and sight a child within the response priority timeframe, the subject child (or the first of the subject children) or pregnant woman may be sighted by a police officer or health professional, who can provide information to Child Safety Services in relation to the safety of the child. This date can be recorded as the date the child or pregnant woman was sighted.
In circumstances in rural and remote regions, where an authorised officer, police officer or health professional is not able to sight a child or pregnant woman within the response priority timeframe due to geographical distance or lack of access due to seasonal conditions, one or both of the following actions is to occur as a matter of urgency:
- seek information in relation to the safety of the child from other services or professionals who have regular, or have had, recent contact with the child
- take immediate action to allow for the commencement of the investigation and assessment - this may include organising transport or arranging for the child to be sighted.
When there are serious concerns for staff safety, and the QPS are unavailable to accompany staff within the response timeframe, the commencement of the investigation is not to occur until QPS are available to accompany staff.
In the above two circumstances, record what action was taken, or the reason for the delay, in a case note in the investigation and assessment event in ICMS.
The following actions do not constitute commencement:
- allocation of the investigation and assessment by the team leader
- further contact with the notifier
- an unsuccessful attempt to visit or contact the child or family
- face-to-face contact with the pregnant woman, where the pregnant woman refuses to consent to the investigation and assessment (refer to 7. What if the investigation and assessment is for an unborn child?).
An investigation and assessment cannot be completed without the child being sighted by a Child Safety Services' authorised officer.
2.2 Inform the parents about the allegation of harm
An authorised officer or police officer investigating an allegation of harm or risk of harm to a child must give details of the alleged harm or risk of harm to at least one of the child's parents (Child Protection Act 1999, section 15). In doing so, consider whether the information should be provided to both parents, especially when parents are residing separately.
A parent is the child's mother, father or someone else (other than the chief executive) having or exercising parental responsibility for the child. This includes a person who, under Aboriginal tradition or under Torres Strait Island custom, is regarded as a parent of the child (Child Protection Act 1999, section 11).
Discretionary compliance with this requirement is permitted (Child Protection Act 1999, section 15(3)), if an authorised officer reasonably believes:
- someone may be charged with a criminal offence for the harm to the child, and compliance may jeopardise an investigation into the offence
- compliance may expose the child to harm.
If discretionary compliance is exercised:
- it must be approved by a team leader
- record the decision, rationale and approval process in a case note in ICMS.
For further information, refer to the practice resource Informing parents about the harm and the outcome - section 15.
Criminal matters
Where there is a criminal matter or an ongoing police investigation, and the provision of information may jeopardise the due process of the criminal matter, discuss the matter with the QPS prior to any information being provided to the parents.
Privacy considerations
The Child Protection Act 1999 overrides the privacy principles adopted by the State Government about how personal information, including that of clients, is collected, stored, used and disclosed. Decisions about the provision of information must always be made in favour of the welfare and best interests of a child.
Where parents are estranged, or no longer reside together, provide only information specific to the alleged harms to the child. Do not release information about one parent's general circumstances to the other parent, for example, information such as employment and financial issues, extended family issues and a parent's health or medical treatment. If there are concerns about what information can be provided to a parent, seek advice initially from the team leader or senior practitioner and, when necessary, the team leader should seek legal advice from staff at Legal Services Branch, Corporate and Executive Services Division.
2.3 Interview and sight the child
Investigation and assessments are undertaken with the cooperation and agreement of parents wherever possible. The use of good communication and engagement skills are vital to this process.
The following children are to be sighted, interviewed and assessed prior to the completion of an investigation and assessment:
- all subject children in the notification
- any other child in the home who is identified during the investigation and assessment as having been harmed, or as likely to be at unacceptable risk of harm.
Interviewing other children is important, as they may also have been harmed or be at risk of harm and may have information about the notified concerns. Consider interviewing:
- any other child in the home who may have information about the notified concerns
- any other child that is no longer in the home, but who was in the home at the time of the notified concerns, if it is assessed that they may be able to provide relevant information.
Contact a child without parental consent - section 17
Prior to contacting and interviewing a child, consider whether the parents prior knowledge of the interview will compromise the safety of the child or interfere with a possible criminal investigation by the QPS. Where it is considered necessary to contact and interview a child without the parents consent or without them having prior knowledge of the interview, the use of powers under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 17, may be used. For further information refer to 5. What if a child needs to be interviewed without parental consent - section 17?
Arrange the contact with a child
Prior to contacting and interviewing a child, either:
- seek the permission of the child's parents
- obtain the authority of an assessment order in order to facilitate the interview - this is only to occur if the parents refuse contact with a child, or will not agree to work with Child Safety Services.
Contact or interviews with a child may occur either by an unannounced visit to the home or an arranged appointment. Contact may happen in the family home, it can also occur in other locations such as a hospital, the child's school, a child care or day care centre, a police station, a CSSC or another location suitable to the child and family and appropriate to the circumstances of the investigation and assessment. When making these decisions, consider:
- the seriousness of the allegations and whether there is any history to inform the decision about the best place to interview the child
- whether there are any serious safety issues for Child Safety Services' officers, that will require the involvement and assistance of the QPS
- what culturally appropriate support is required for the child and family.
If a criminal offence may have been committed, and a joint investigation with the QPS is to occur, make decisions about sighting and interviewing children in consultation with the QPS, including whether or not the interviews will be recorded in line with the ICARE procedures (refer to 4. What if a joint investigation with the Queensland Police Service is required?). In addition, if there are any safety issues for staff, refer to the practice resource The investigation and assessment plan and Chapter 10.2 Staff safety and well-being.
Sight the child
Contact with a child is key to determining the immediate safety of the child, and should be done in a way that allows the child to feel safe and able to communicate any fears or concerns they have. When sighting a child:
- make careful observations of the child's physical and cognitive developmental stage, behaviour, reactions, presentation and interaction with others, including the parent
- have personal contact with the child, speak to them or interview them if age and developmentally appropriate (see below).
For further information on child developmental stages, refer to the resource Physical and cognitive developmental milestones.
Interview the child
Prior to interviewing a child, consider the following factors:
- the decision to interview of a child must take into account the child's age, developmental level and ability to communicate
- interviewing a child in the presence of other people can reduce the likelihood of a child disclosing harm or risk of harm, especially if the person holds a position of authority in relation to the child
- the Child Safety Services' officer is responsible for ensuring that the child feels safe and supported during the interview process
- if a child requests that they have a support person present during an interview, the child is to be assisted to identify an appropriate support person - it is not appropriate for the alleged person responsible for harm to be the support person for the child or a parent.
For further information on support persons, refer to the practice resource The role of a support person.
Where the allegations of harm include sexual abuse of a child, refer to the practice paper Child sexual abuse.
For specific information on preparing and conducting an interview with a child, refer to the practice resource Interviewing a child.
Note: CSOs will not use video and/or audio equipment to record interviews with children. Any written interview notes made during the interview will be held on the child's paper file, as they may be required or subpoenaed for court purposes. Copies of the interview notes may be provided to the QPS to assist with a joint investigation.
Exceptions to contact or interviews with a child
In exceptional circumstances, professional judgment may indicate that the interview of a child would be inappropriate or not possible. Examples may include where a subject child has a serious or terminal illness, or when a child refuses to be sighted or interviewed after all reasonable attempts to interview them have been exhausted. The decision not to interview a child should be made in consultation with the team leader, and the rationale must be clearly documented.
When a child has physical injuries
When physical injuries to a child are suspected or alleged:
- sight the injury or injuries if possible and appropriate - do not sight the injury or injuries when alone with a child or parent - there must always be a second person present, either another authorised officer or a police officer
- be mindful of the child's age, gender and comfort level in relation to deciding when and where injuries are sighted
- ask the parent, carer or the child to adjust or remove whatever clothing is necessary to see the alleged injury or injuries - do not undress or adjust the child's clothing yourself
- document details of the injury, including the location, size and colour, as relevant - the injury may be photographed (Child Protection Act 1999, section 181)
- assess whether a medical examination of the child is required - for further information refer to 9. What if a child needs a medical examination?
If parents do not consent to the sighting of the alleged injury and it is imperative to the investigation and assessment that the injury be seen:
- advise the parents that the injury will need to be seen
- attempt to negotiate with the parents the most suitable way to do this
- consult with a team leader about further action as soon as possible, including consideration of the need for an assessment order to allow a medical examination to occur - for further information refer to 2. What if a parent will not consent to actions required - use of a TAO? or 3. What if a parent will not consent to actions required - use of a CAO?
2.4 Interview the parents and other adults
The purpose of interviews with parents and other adults is to:
- gather relevant information in relation to the concerns and the child's circumstances
- verify and clarify information received from other sources
- assess the ability and willingness of the parents to protect the child from harm.
Who to interview
The following adults are to be interviewed:
- all persons alleged responsible for harm to a child
- the resident parent or parents (or carer) of the child and any adult who cares for a child, even if the concerns do not specifically relate to them
- any other adult that lives in the house when the concerns relate to them or they may be able to provide relevant information - this includes step-parents or partners of a parent living with the child who may not be the child's primary parent
- non-resident parents, other adults or parental figures not living in the primary care household, who have reliable knowledge of the family and the concerns and are likely to provide relevant information.
Make all reasonable attempts to contact each adult household member to arrange for an interview to address and obtain a response to the concerns, particularly when the adult household member is a parent of the subject child.
The team leader must approve any decision made to finalise an investigation and assessment without all relevant adults being interviewed. Record the decision and rationale in ICMS, where this occurs.
Prior to the interview
Where a parent requests that they have a support person present during an interview, assist them to identify an appropriate support person. It is not appropriate for the alleged person responsible for harm to be the support person. For further information on support persons, refer to the practice resource The role of a support person.
Wherever possible, plan to conduct interviews with adults individually, in order to elicit as much accurate information as possible. This is particularly important where there are indicators of domestic violence or a culture of silence or fear in the home. This can affect the parent or adult's ability to speak openly when the other partner or another person is present.
Undertaking the interview
When interviewing parents, carers or other adults, without the involvement of the QPS:
- make introductions and provide your names, state who you work for and show your identity card, as required by the Child Protection Act 1999, section 153
- explain your role and the purpose of the visit
- provide the child's parents with the brochure When child safety officers visit your home, which outlines the rights of parents
- conduct the interview and gather relevant information.
In particular, gather:
- the names and dates of birth of the subject children and all other children in the household
- the names and dates of birth and roles of people who are part of the child's household and any relevant extended family members
- contextual information about the family and home environment
- the information required to complete the family risk evaluation
- the presence and impact of the risk factors, such as domestic violence, drug and alcohol misuse, psychiatric illness and childhood abuse
- the information required to complete a safety assessment, and if required, a safety plan
- the types of support available to the family
- any other stressors impacting on the family
- the parents:
- response to the specific concerns raised, including their acknowledgment of, and response to the harm and any additional concerns identified during the investigation and assessment
- perceptions and feelings about the child
- parenting abilities, including their knowledge and skills
- understanding of the child's physical and cognitive development (refer to the resource Physical and cognitive developmental milestones).
For information on ICARE interviews, refer to 4. What if a joint investigation with the Queensland Police Service is required?
Do not accept at face value information provided by parents or other adults during interviews, where it is believed to be untrue, misleading or contradictory to other information received. It is the responsibility of Child Safety Services' staff to respectfully challenge the person in relation to the information they provide, and where required, seek independent verification from a reliable source, for example, request the name of the doctor if a parent says the child has had recent medical attention. Where contradictory information is subsequently received, re-contact the parent to discuss the differing information and seek a further response.
In cases of domestic and family violence, careful consideration should be given before challenging a perpetrator in the presence of the victim, to ensure the safety of the victim. If, during an interview, it becomes apparent that there are risks to a parent's immediate physical safety, provide the parent at risk with information about services available, or assist in making a referral to an appropriate crisis service, for example, dvconnect or a women's shelter. Dvconnect can be contacted in relation to women, children and young people 24 hours a day, through the dvconnect womensline on telephone 1800 811 811. The dvconnect mensline can be contacted daily from 9am till midnight on telephone 1800 600 636.
Legal representatives
Parents are entitled to have a legal representative present during the interview, and if requested, make all reasonable attempts to accommodate such requests.
2.5 Complete the safety assessment
Ensuring the safety of children is the primary focus of intervention by Child Safety Services, and is an integral part of all interactions with a child and their family.
The purpose of the safety assessment is to guide decision-making about:
- whether there is the threat of immediate harm to a child in the household
- what interventions are required to maintain their safety and protection
- a 'safety decision' for each child in the household
- the development of a safety plan to ensure the safety of any child who remains in the home, whenever immediate harm indicators have been identified.
A safety assessment is not completed for matters of concern or for the investigation and assessment of an unborn child, unless the child is born prior to the approval of the investigation and assessment, in which case, the safety assessment will be completed following the birth.
A safety assessment is completed at the commencement of an investigation and assessment. Subsequent safety assessments will occur throughout Child Safety Services' intervention with a child and family, as required and outlined below.
Complete a subsequent safety assessment
A subsequent safety assessment is required in any of the following circumstances:
- where new information becomes available or a change in circumstances indicates a threat to a child's safety, but the threat does not reach the threshold of a notification. For example, where there is a change in household membership (such as a parent leaving, or an adult or another child moving in or the birth of another child)
- any time when the parties to a safety plan are not complying with the current safety plan
- prior to returning a child back home following an 'unsafe' safety decision in a previous safety assessment
- prior to returning a child subject to a Care Agreement back home
- when a parent removes a child from an out-of-home-care placement
- when a child in an out-of-home care placement chooses to return home without Child Safety Services' approval
- prior to closing an ongoing intervention case.
Completing the safety assessment
The initial safety assessment begins at the first face-to-face contact with the child and family at the commencement of the investigation and assessment. Ensure that the information gathered during interviews and contact with the family is sufficient to complete the safety assessment, prior to leaving the child in the home. The child's need for immediate safety must be secured prior to continuing with the investigation and assessment.
To complete the safety assessment:
- assess only one household as part of a safety assessment - the household the concerns were received about
- consult with the recognised entity when completing the safety assessment for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
- gather and analyse information from observations of, and interviews with, the child, their family and other relevant people to determine whether any of the 13 immediate harm indicators are present in the family - refer to SDM: Safety assessment
- provide parents with information about the concerns, so that they understand the issues and can fully participate in the process
- ensure the safety of all subject children prior to leaving the home and continuing the investigation and assessment
- if no immediate harm indicators are identified, no further action is required - continue with the investigation and assessment
- if any immediate harm indicators are identified, discuss the issues with the family and explain that action is required to ensure the immediate safety of the children - this action will be either:
- non-custody interventions that will keep the child safe in the household - always refer to the most vulnerable child in the home
- placement interventions (with an approved carer) to ensure the safety of the child
- determine the actions or interventions that are required to ensure the child's safety, in consultation with the family
- encourage the family to identify people or services that they know and trust, who can participate in a safety plan
- use professional judgement to assess whether the agreed safety interventions are adequate to mitigate the safety concerns present in the household
- develop a safety plan for each child who is to remain in the home, where immediate harm indicators have been identified
- record the safety assessment in ICMS and submit the completed safety assessment, and if required, the safety plan for each child, to the team leader for approval within 72 hours of the safety assessment being completed.
Outcomes for every safety assessment completed on the family will appear in the assessment and outcome form in ICMS.
For more information on non-custody and placement interventions, refer to the practice resource Safety assessment.
Develop a safety plan
The safety plan is a written agreement between Child Safety Services and a family. It documents the specific time-limited, non-custody interventions that have been agreed to by all parties to ensure the safety of any child who remains in the home whenever:
- immediate harm indicators have been identified
- in-home interventions are assessed as sufficient to ensure the child's safety
- the parents have been assessed as willing to co-operate with Child Safety Services to implement the safety plan.
Child Safety Services is responsible for the development, implementation and appropriateness of the safety plan, regardless of the role played by other parties or agencies.
The safety plan is developed with the family's participation, including the child, where developmentally appropriate. To develop a safety plan:
- address each identified immediate harm indicator and the individual safety needs of all children - especially those with high vulnerability due to age or disability
- involve the recognised entity when the child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and articulate their role as a safety resource in the safety plan, where relevant
- get agreement from all parties to the necessary intervention and:
- outline what the parents and other people must do immediately to ensure the child's safety in the home
- contact other parties to confirm their willingness, ability and suitability to be involved
- include details of how the plan will be monitored, including how frequently and who is responsible
- include details of the family member/s agreement to the plan
- record the details of the safety plan, in culturally appropriate and family-centred language
- agree to the anticipated completion date of the safety plan
- get the safety plan signed by all the people involved in its implementation
- leave a copy of the completed and signed safety plan with the parents, and provide copies of the plan to the child, where appropriate and any other person involved in its implementation
- explain to the family that the plan will remain in place until either:
- a case plan is developed that ensures the child's safety and addresses issues in the safety plan
- the immediate danger is resolved.
For full definitions for all sections of the safety assessment, and further information on the completion of the safety assessment, refer to SDM: Safety assessment and the practice resource 'Safety assessment'.
If non-custody interventions cannot ensure the child's safety, consult with the team leader to determine an appropriate placement intervention.
Private arrangements
Sometimes the risks identified for a child are such that the child cannot safely remain in the home and needs to reside elsewhere for a period of time. In this circumstance, the parents may agree to take protective action and arrange for the child to stay with a family member or friend. This is referred to as a private arrangement. Under a private arrangement the parent, not Child Safety Services, places the child with the person, and the person does not need to be approved as a carer. In the context of a safety assessment, a private arrangement is a non-custody arrangement and will generally be for a short period of time only, to allow parents time to take immediate actions required to address the safety issues identified.
Prior to including a private arrangement as part of a safety assessment, make direct contact with the person nominated by the parent to:
- determine their ability to provide care for the child for the agreed period of time
- determine their willingness and capacity to co-operate and keep the child safe from the identified harm
- ensure they are willing to advise the CSSC or CSAHSC if the child is returned home so Child Safety Services can re-assess the child's safety needs and make decisions based on the child's best interests
- provide them with the contact details for the CSSC and the CSAHSC
- advise them that a child protection history check will be conducted.
Where the person has agreed to care for the child and the child protection history check does not raise concerns, finalise the safety assessment.
Where the person nominated by the parent has a child protection history:
- discuss the outcome with the team leader and use professional judgment to determine the appropriateness of the arrangement
- discuss the child protection history outcome with the person affected to clarify any issues, if necessary
- clearly document the decisions and the arrangements made between the relevant parties
- do not disclose the outcome of the child protection history check to the parents of the subject child or to any other third party, due to privacy issues in relation to the nominated person
- review the details of the safety plan to ensure the child's safety - this may include the decision that a placement intervention is required.
Placement interventions
Consider the use of a placement intervention under the following circumstances:
- it is in the best interests of the child to be provided with a formal, legal care arrangement
- it is assessed that the parent (and/or the proposed person to care for the child) may not adhere to a private arrangement and the child will return to the parent and the environment where the high risk factors exist, and the parent is more likely to adhere to a formal arrangement
- when the parent cannot identify a person to care for the child and the child requires a placement with an approved carer such as a Child Safety Services' foster carer.
A placement intervention can occur by way of:
- a care agreement - where the parents agree to work with Child Safety Services in a voluntary capacity
- an assessment order (TAO or a CAO with custody to the chief executive) - where a parent does not agree to the placement of the child in out-of-home care
- an interim order, or a child protection order with custody or guardianship to the chief executive, because no other interventions are available to adequately ensure the child's immediate safety.
Where a child is placed with an approved carer, normal placement procedures apply (refer to Chapter 5. Children in out-of-home care).
A placement intervention as part of the safety assessment will end when:
- a subsequent safety assessment establishes that the child is 'conditionally safe' and can be returned home with a safety plan
- a subsequent safety assessment establishes that there are no longer any 'immediate harm indicators' present and the child can return home safely
- the investigation and assessment is finalised and a decision is made as part of a case plan, that the child will remain in out-of-home care.
Separation of mother and baby after birth
When it is assessed that a newborn baby must be separated from the mother's care following the birth, employees of Queensland Health or private hospitals can only be requested to do this, if an investigation and assessment has commenced and:
- the child's immediate safety needs have warranted the child's removal from the parent under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 18
- the parents have entered into an assessment care agreement
- custody of the child has been granted to the chief executive under a TAO or CAO.
Once the authority for separation of the mother and child has been obtained:
- consult with the hospital staff to determine if the child can be placed in the nursery until they are able to be discharged
- locate an appropriate out-of-home care placement as soon as practicable, to minimise delays in the discharge of the child from the nursery.
Where a child is separated from their mother at birth, family contact arrangements from birth are crucial, as early attachment with a primary caregiver is extremely important to the overall emotional health and wellbeing of children, and to healthy adolescence and adulthood. For further information refer to Chapter 5, 2.5 Facilitate and monitor family contact and Chapter 5, 3.14 Make family contact decisions.
2.6 Gather information from other sources
In the process of contacting or interviewing children and relevant family members, other potential sources of relevant information are likely to be identified. These sources may not have been known at the time the investigation and assessment plan was completed. These sources should be contacted as part of the investigation and assessment, for example:
- school personnel
- other family members or significant people that may be able to provide relevant information
- the family doctor, a child health nurse, or Child and Youth Mental Health Service
- other professionals and staff of agencies or support services that the child or family are known to.
When contacting other agencies, request that all relevant information is gathered, particularly when an agency may have more than one file on a child or family, for example, Queensland Health.
Substance misuse by a parent
In circumstances where parental substance misuse is identified as a risk factor and clarification or further assessment information is required, contact an alcohol, tobacco and other drugs services professional, prior to finalising the investigation and assessment, to:
- gain general, non-identifying advice or knowledge in relation to drug or alcohol issues
- gain specific information in relation to the potential impact of the drug misuse on the parents ability to parent.
For further information about responding to issues of substance misuse by parents, refer to Chapter 10.14 Undertake the substance testing of parents.
- Last updated
- 18 September 2009
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