Child Protection Investigation Policy & Procedures

Question 1

• Serious Child Abuse and Circumstances Where Police Would Remove a Child *

Answer 1

• Sexual abuse
• Serious physical abuse
• Serious wilful neglect
• Serious family violence where the child is a witness
• Presence in unsafe environment (locations for drug manufacturing)
• All allegations against OT approved caregivers that involve serious child abuse
• All allegations against employees of OT and Police that involve serious child abuse

Question 2

• Child-Centred Timeframes *

Answer 2

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.

For a 5 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 3

What is CPP?

Answer 3

Child Protection Protocol - joint process followed when OT & Police are responding to actions/behaviours that may constitute a criminal offence.

CPP apply to cases where the victim is under the age of 18 at the time of making the complainant.

Question 4

Criteria for CPP

Answer 4

• Sexual Abuse
• Physical Abuse
• Neglect

Question 5

OT & Police Initial Steps

Answer 5

Referral - Information sharing between agencies

Consultation - Discussion at appropriate levels

Agreement - Agreeing upon an initial action in an IJIP

Question 6

• Determining Factors of Physical Abuse *

Answer 6

• The action of the abuse
• The injury inflicted
• The circumstances (factors of the case)

Question 7

Physical Abuse Specifics

Answer 7

Actions - kick/blow to the head, shaking of infant, strangulation, object as a weapon & attempted drownings.

Injuries - bone fracture, burn, concussion or loss of consciousness, any injury that requires medical attention, any bruise or abrasion when the child is very young.

Question 8

Considerations When Circumstances Don’t Meet Physical Abuse Criteria

Answer 8

• Vulnerability of the child
• More than one offender
• History of abuse
• A high degree of violence
• Offenders history and background
• Location of incident
• Nature and level of concern from the notifier

Question 9

IJIP

Answer 9

Initial Joint Investigation Plan

During which considerations are made toward:

• Immediate safety of child/children at risk
• If a joint visit is required
• Management of the initial interview
• Referral to a medical practitioner & authority to do so
• Collection of physical evidence
• Any further actions agreed to by Police and/or OT

Question 10

Oranga Tamariki Timeframes

Answer 10

Critical (24hrs) - Risk of serious harm, no safety/care identified. Requires immediate involvement to establish safety.

Very Urgent (48hrs) - At risk of serious harm but protective factors are in place for the next 48hrs. High priority follow up required.

Urgent (7 days) - At risk of harm/neglect likely to negatively impact the child. Vulnerability and pattern exists which limit protective factors.

Question 11

Questioning A Child

Answer 11

• Do not ask a child what has happened again if they have already informed an adult who is able to relay that information
• Do not question if it is unclear what’s happened and there are no safety concerns
• Do not continue to question if it becomes clear while speaking to the child that an offence has occurred

Question 12

Neglect

Answer 12

• Not providing adequate food, clothing, shelter
• Not protecting from physical harm or danger
• Not accessing appropriate medical treatment or care
• Allowing exposure to illicit drug manufacturing
• Allowing exposure to environment where volatile, toxic or flammable chemicals are used or stored

Question 13

• When Can You Remove A Child *

Answer 13

• If 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 and or harm
• There is no other practice means of ensuring their safety

Question 14

• Section 195A - Knowing a Child or Vulnerable Adult Is At Risk But Where No Action is Taken *

Answer 14

• Members of the same household as the victim
• People who are staff members of any hospital, institution or residence where the victim resides

Criminally liable will arise if such a person has frequent contact with a child or vulnerable adult and:
- Knows (mens rea) the victim is at risk of death, GBH or sexual assault as a result of the acts or omissions of another person
AND
- Fails (actus rea) to take reasonable steps to protect the victim from that risk