Child Protection

Question 1

Child definition

Answer 1

Child or young person under the age of 18 years at the time of referral (does not include any person who is or has been married or a civil union)

Question 2

Child, Youth and Family Timeframes

Answer 2

Critical - 24 hours - No safety or care identified, mokopuna is at risk of serious harm and requires immediate involvement to establish safety.

Very urgent - 48 hours - At risk of serious harm but has some protective factors present for the next 48 hours. However, as the present situation and/or need is likely to change, high priority follow up is required.

Urgent - 7 days - At risk of harm or neglect and the circumstances are likely to negatively impact on mokopuna. Options of safety and supports have been explored but remain unmet. Vulnerability and patter exists which limits the protective factors.

Question 3

Serious abuse definition

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Investigator definition

Answer 4

• Should be exclusively focused on child abuse investigations.
• Must be trained investigators.
• Must comply with Wellcheck support policy.

Question 5

Initial Action

Answer 5

1) Obtain brief details of report of concern. Do not question the child in depth at this stage.
2) Consider if there are immediate concerns for the child’s care or safety requiring an immediate intervention.
3) Consider whether cultural group could assist.
4) Record case in NIA. Create a 6C.
5) If no immediate intervention required complete CPP referral
6) Take necessary steps at scene e.g. freeze control and preserve
7) Provide pamphlet to parents/caregivers.

Question 6

First 3 steps of Child Protection Protocol

Answer 6

1) Record incident, event or occurrence: into Police system and create a case. 6C and appropriate offence code.
2) Initial attendance: Respond to report, inquiries commence, evidence is gathered or other action taken as necessary.
3) Gather and process forensics: Detailed scientific scene examination is conducted. Forensic evidence is gathered and analysed and its relevance recorded and assessed.