Child Protection

Question 1

An initial joint investigation plan (IJIP) must consider: (6)

Answer 1

• Immediate safety of child and other children at risk
• Referral to medical practitioner and authority
• Management of the initial interview of child
• If a joint visit is required due to risk of further offending, evidence loss, hostility, staff safety
• Collection of physical evidence, eg photos
• Any further actions agreed for Police/OT and whether multi-agency approach is required

Question 2

Who should accompany a child in a medical examination?

Answer 2

A parent or legal guardian who is not the suspect or

Another competent adult with whom the child is familiar

Unless not appropriate in the circumstances

Question 3

List examples of actions which meets the threshold for referral as CPP case (5)

(BUSSA)

Answer 3

Blow or kick to the head
Use of an object
Shaking of an infant
Strangulation
Attempted drowning

Question 4

List 3 areas to consider when determining “seriousness of physical abuse” under CPP

(AIC)

Answer 4

The action of the abuse
The injury inflicted
The circumstance (factors of the case)

Question 5

List the 3 objectives of the Child Protection Protocol Joint Operation Procedures?
(SOV)

Answer 5

Children are kept safe
Offenders are held to account wherever possible
Child victimization is reduced

Question 6

Oranga Tamariki category timeframes?

Answer 6

Critical - 24 hrs - no safety or care, risk of serious harm, immediate involvement required

Very urgent - 48 hrs - risk of serious harm but some protective factors. High priority follow-up required

Urgent - 7 days - at risk of harm or neglect

Question 7

Charging age for offence of failure to protect child or vulnerable adult?

Answer 7

This offence cannot be used where the offender was under the age of 18 at the time of the act/omission

Question 8

Outline 3 powers of removal under OT Act?

Answer 8

Section 39: place of safety warrant. On entry may remove child if they still believe on reasonable grounds the child has or will suffer ill-treatment, serious neglect, abuse, serious deprivation or serious harm.

Section 40: warrant to remove. To be placed on to OT care.

Section 42: without a warrant. Believe it is critically necessary to remove that child to prevent injury or death.

Question 9

List the reason you would remove a child?

Answer 9

It is not safe to leave them there or you believe on reasonable grounds that if left, they will suffer, or are likely to suffer ill-treatment, neglect, deprivation, abuse or harm

There is no other practical means of ensuring their safety

Question 10

List examples of injuries which meet the threshold for referral as a CPP case? (5)

Answer 10

• A bone fracture
• Burn
• Concussion or loss of consciousness
• Any injury that required medical attention
• Any bruising or abrasion when:
  The child is very young eg, infant not mobile
  The positioning & patterning make it unlikely to be caused by play, another child or accident

Question 11

When historic child abuse is reported, what 5 things must be considered in the assessment of risk the offender may currently pose to children?

Answer 11

• Currency/timeframes of offending
• Suspects current access to children
• Nature of offending eg, preferential or opportunist sexual offender
• Multiple victims
• Occupational, recreational or secondary connection to children

Question 12

CPP - define the term child-centered timeframes?

Answer 12

Timeframes that are relevant to the child’s age and cognitive development. The younger the child, the more vulnerable they are and therefore they require a quicker response.

Example: for a five year old, a week is a very long time for an event to be recounted with reliability. However a 16 year old would have less difficulty recalling the same event several weeks later.

Question 13

Criminal liability under S195A, CA 1961

Failure to protect child or vulnerable adult

Answer 13

Imposes criminal liability in some situations where it is known a child (or vulnerable adult) is at risk but where no action is taken, offence applies to:

• Members of same household as victim
• Staff members of hospital/institution/residence is criminally liable if has frequent contact and

Knows victim at risk of death, GBH or sexual offending result of actions of another and
Fails to take reasonable steps to protect the victim from that risk

Question 14

List factors/background that may warrant referral as a CPP case?(VANHOLM)

Answer 14

Vulnerability of the child 
Abuse history
Nature and level of concern from the notifier
High degree of violence
Offenders history and background
Location of the incident
More than one offender

Question 15

Define child abuse as outlined in the OT Act 1989?

Answer 15

The harming (whether physically, emotionally or sexually), ill-treatment, abuse, neglect or deprivation of any child or young person.

Includes: physical, sexual, emotional and psychological abuse, neglect, presence in unsafe environments, cyber crime exploiting children, child trafficking

Question 16

In a multi-agency safety Plan (MASP) each agency must advise the other ASAP on 6 things, what are they?

(VACCAD)

Answer 16

Violence or inappropriate behaviour by family
Arrest or prosecution of alleged offender
Clinical deterioration of the child
Custody change arrangements
Acceptance of a claim by ACC
Discharge plans

Question 17

List the 4 categories which require notification to OT that a child may be at risk?

Answer 17

Child abuse
Family harm
Environment/neglect
Other criminal activity

Question 18

Outline guidelines in relation to questioning children in initial action?

Answer 18

If the child has disclosed an assault to an adult, use what the adult says as the basis of the notification. DO NOT ask the child again what happened if clear disclosure has been made
If it is unclear what the child has said and there are no urgent safety issues - DO NOT question the child further
It is absolutely necessary to speak to the child to ascertain safety, ask TEDS questions DO NOT continue to question if it becomes clear offence occurred

Question 19

List 5 examples of neglect?

Answer 19

• Not providing adequate food, shelter or clothing
• Not protecting a child from physical harm or danger
• Not accessing appropriate medical treatment or care
• Allowing a child to be exposed to the illicit drug manufacturing process
• Allowing a child to be exposed to an environment where volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals have been used or stored

Question 20

A person psychologically abuses a child if they?

Answer 20

• Cause or allow the child to see or hear physical, sexual or psychological abuse of a person with whom the child has a domestic relationship with
• Puts the child, or allows the child to be put at real risk of seeing or hearing that abuse occurring

*excludes the person suffering the abuse