In Australia, a child is abused every 15 minutes.

In an emergency call 000

If you are worried about the immediate safety of a child and / or young person – Call 000 (Police / Ambulance)

Responding to child abuse and neglect in NSW

The safety and welfare of children and young people is one of the most important obligations of any community.

Whilst families and carers have primary responsibility for the welfare and wellbeing of their children, child protection is the collective responsibility of the whole community.

0269_StopTheClock_NSW

General Public

If you have concerns regarding the safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child, young person, or unborn child please refer to the Department of Family & Community Services’ website.

If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (24 hours / 7 days).

Health Professionals

If you suspect a child or young person is at imminent risk of significant harm, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (24 hours / 7 days).

If your concerns regarding the safety, welfare and wellbeing of a child, young person, or unborn child are non-imminent, please follow the steps below.

Complete the Mandatory Reporter Guide / use professional judgment
Make a decision about the level of risk
Decide what action to take and continue to provide advice and support

Child not at risk	Document your concerns
Child at risk but not significant risk of harm	Contact NSW Health Child Wellbeing Unit – phone 1300 480 420
Child at imminent risk of significant harm	Immediate report to Child Protection Helpline – phone 132 111
Child at risk of significant harm but risk is not imminent	E-report to Child Protection Helpline

Reporting to the Child Protection Helpline is only part of the available responses to help a vulnerable child or young person and their family. Whatever action you take, use the opportunity to engage in a caring, compassionate and non-judgmental way.

Link the family to support services to promote their child’s safety, welfare and wellbeing. Your local Family Referral Service (FRS) can also provide assistance and link the family, child or young person to local support services such as housing or respite.

Your support is critical to prevent or mitigate further escalation of harm.
All medical practitioners / general practice nurses have access to the NSW Health Child Wellbeing Unit (CWU). Contact the CWU at any time for advice and support and to follow up any reports you have made to the Child Protection Helpline.

Supporting Indigenous Children

When working with Aboriginal families, recognise the difference between Aboriginal worldviews and western ways of engaging with health services and seek ways to change practices to ensure cultural safety.

Cultural safety

The concept of ‘cultural safety’ emerged in New Zealand in the context of the delivery of health services for the Maori people. It can be defined as:

“An environment that is safe for people: where there is no assault, challenge or denial of their identity, of who they are and what they need. It is about shared respect, shared meaning, shared knowledge and experience, of learning, living and working together with dignity and truly listening.” (Williams, Robyn (2008). Cultural safety: what does it mean for our work practice? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 23(2): 213-214.)

In order to support Aboriginal children, young people and families:

Find local Aboriginal health services: Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS), Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) and NSW Health Services at NSW Health Aboriginal Health.

If you cannot find an Aboriginal health service in your local area contact the Family Referral Service for advice.

Find Aboriginal health information and medical research at the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet and Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council.

Other States and Territories

If you are outside of NSW and wish to report serious concerns about the safety or welfare of a child and / or young person, contact the child protection agency in your state or territory: