1. Plan the investigation and assessment
Under the Child Protection Act 1999, section 14, Child Safety Services has the statutory authority to investigate allegations that a child has been harmed or is at risk of harm, assess a child's need for protection or take other actions considered appropriate. For further information refer to the practice resource Investigation and assessment - an overview.
1.1 Plan the investigation and assessment
Planning is a first key step towards undertaking a targeted and holistic investigation and assessment of a child's safety and protective needs.
The investigation and assessment plan identifies all the relevant activities required for the investigation and assessment. It must be completed by the CSSC responsible for the investigation and assessment and approved by a team leader prior to the commencement of the investigation and assessment.
The safety of Child Safety Services' officers must be considered at all times during the investigation and assessment. For further information refer to Chapter 10.2 Staff safety and well-being.
To complete an investigation and assessment plan:
- refer to all of the practice considerations required as part of the planning process, as outlined in the practice resource The investigation and assessment plan
- ensure that any identified staff safety issues are addressed by the plan
- consult with the team leader or senior practitioner for complex matters, if required
- ensure all the key people are involved and undertake joint planning at the earliest possible time when other agencies will be involved
- ensure the recognised entity is contacted and given an opportunity to participate in the planning and decision-making process for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child
- clarify the roles and responsibilities of each person involved in the process
- record the plan in the 'Investigation and assessment plan' form in ICMS and seek verbal approval for the plan from the team leader, prior to commencement of an investigation and assessment.
For urgent matters, a written plan can be verbally approved by a team leader, without being recorded in ICMS, and is to be recorded in ICMS as soon as possible.
The investigation and assessment plan may be added to and amended during the investigation and assessment. The completed investigation and assessment plan will be 'approved' in ICMS by the team leader at the completion of the investigation and assessment.
Requirement for two officers to undertake an investigation and assessment
When having contact with, or interviewing a child as part of an investigation and assessment, the authorised officer will always be accompanied by either:
- another authorised officer
- a police officer
- another Child Safety Services' officer or a student undertaking field education, if approved by the team leader after taking into account any practice implications that may result from their involvement - for example, it may not be appropriate for a convenor or CSSO to be involved when they may be required to work with the family in the future in their usual role.
This ensures that there is a witness to the information provided and ensures that a CSO is not put in the position of being accused of an action that did not occur.
In circumstances where the investigation and assessment is complex or likely to be conflictual, the investigating CSO will only be accompanied by another authorised officer or a police officer. Where there are serious safety issues present for Child Safety Services' staff, contact the QPS for their support and assistance.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
For information that may assist with the planning and conduct of an investigation and assessment in relation to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander child, refer to the practice paper Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
- Last updated
- 18 September 2009
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