What does the Child Protection Service do

Answer

The Child Protection Service is specifically targeted to those children and young people at risk of significant harm. The main functions are to:

• investigate matters where it is alleged that a child is at risk of significant harm
• refer children and families to services that assist in providing the ongoing safety and well-being of children
• take matters before the Children's Court if the child's safety cannot be ensured within the family
• supervise children on legal orders granted by the Children's Court
• provide and fund foster care and other placement services, specialist support services, and adoption and permanent care to children and adolescents in need.

When parents or caregivers are unable or unwilling to protect children against significant harm, the child protection community network takes up this responsibility.