Child Protection

When working with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness it not uncommon to find that DHS, Child Protection Services may be or may have been involved in some capacity with a young person and/or their family.

Accommodation types for young people in state care may include residential care, foster care, or other types of out-of-home care or in Adolescent Community Placement (partly SAAP-funded). Young people may also be in transition and working towards leaving care as they reach the age of 18.

In this section you will find information and resources about Child Protection Services, particularly in relation to practice with young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Child Protections Services, Victoria

The Child Protection website is currently being redeveloped to incorporate all documents related to the new Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (implemented on 23 April 2007) and its associated reforms. Documents related to the reforms can currently be found at the every child every chance website.

Victorian Child Protection Newsletter

Issue No. 6, July 2009 (DOC, 1.74 MB)

To report instances of child abuse

Click here to find 1300 numbers for all DHS regions across Victoria as well as metropolitan and rural maps if you are unsure which office to call

Child Protection Crisis Service: 131 278 (after-hours service only)

Reporting concerns about children or young people: a guide for professionals. This 4 page guide includes information on when to report to Child Protection and when to refer to Child First.
http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/41706/reporting_co...

Mandatory Reporting

This resource sheet examines legal provisions requiring specified people to report supsected child maltreatment to statutory child protection services in Australia.

Child Safety Commissioner

The Office of the Child Safety Commissioner is an organisation that makes children a priority. The Commissioner provides advice to both the Minister for Community Services and the Minister for Children on issues impacting on the lives of children, in particular vulnerable children. This is achieved through listening to children, advocating on their behalf, being impartial, leading on child-safe practices, acting with integrity, and being held accountable.

Charter for Children in Out-of-Home Care

For the first time in Victoria's history, all children and young people living in out-of-home care now have a charter of rights. To read more about these rights, please download the charter for Children in Out-of-Home Care (PDF, 1MB).

National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has announced the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children.
http://www.coag.gov.au/coag_meeting_outcomes/2009-04-30/docs/child_prote...

Useful Links

Australian Institute of Family Studies
www.aifs.gov.au