Responding to other concerns about wellbeing
Critical Information
Regardless of the suspected cause, all concerns about the wellbeing of a child (or their unborn child) should be taken seriously and acted upon. This includes concerns about the wellbeing of a child, which do not appear to be the result of abuse.
You should make a referral to Child FIRST if:
You must contact Victoria Police if:
You should contact DHHS Child Protection if:
If you are unsure whether to take action, or what action to take, you should discuss this with your leadership team and make contact with authorities for further advice.
Regardless of the suspected cause, all concerns about the wellbeing of a child (or their unborn child) should be taken seriously and acted upon. This includes concerns about the wellbeing of a child, which do not appear to be the result of abuse.
This section will support you to determine how to respond to concerns about the wellbeing of a child which do not appear to be the result of child abuse, with information on:
In addition to reporting and referring wellbeing concerns to relevant authorities, you also have a Duty of Care to ensure that students feel safe and supported at school.
See Action Four - Providing Support for advice on how to engage relevant allied health professionals and plan and document support strategies via a Student Support Planning process.
If you are unsure whether to take action, or what action to take, you should discuss this with your leadership team and make contact with authorities for further advice.
Regardless of the suspected cause, all concerns about the wellbeing of a child (or their unborn child) should be taken seriously and acted upon. This includes concerns about the wellbeing of a child, which do not appear to be the result of abuse.
You should make a referral to Child FIRST if:
You must contact Victoria Police if:
You should contact DHHS Child Protection if:
If you are unsure whether to take action, or what action to take, you should discuss this with your leadership team and make contact with authorities for further advice.
- you have a significant concern for a child's wellbeing
- your concerns have a low-to-moderate impact on the child
- the child's immediate safety is not compromised
- you/your school has discussed the referral with the family and they are supportive of it.
- there is any concern for a child's immediate safety and/or
- a child is partaking in any risk taking activity that is illegal and extreme in nature or poses a high risk to the child.
- after consideration of all of available information you form a view that the child is in need of protection
- you believe that the child's parent/carers will not be open to support from family services to address their child's wellbeing.
Regardless of the suspected cause, all concerns about the wellbeing of a child (or their unborn child) should be taken seriously and acted upon. This includes concerns about the wellbeing of a child, which do not appear to be the result of abuse.
This section will support you to determine how to respond to concerns about the wellbeing of a child which do not appear to be the result of child abuse, with information on:
- When to Report Wellbeing Concerns to Child FIRST
- When to Report Wellbeing Concerns to Victoria Police
- When to Report Wellbeing Concerns to DHHS Child Protection.
In addition to reporting and referring wellbeing concerns to relevant authorities, you also have a Duty of Care to ensure that students feel safe and supported at school.
See Action Four - Providing Support for advice on how to engage relevant allied health professionals and plan and document support strategies via a Student Support Planning process.
If you are unsure whether to take action, or what action to take, you should discuss this with your leadership team and make contact with authorities for further advice.
Reporting to Child FIRST |
Reporting to Victoria Police |
At Beaufort Primary School we encourage all staff to consult with the Principal (or nominee) before a referral is made to Child FIRST.
In most instances, the Principal will support the staff member to make the necessary referral to Child FIRST, however, if staff member is not comfortable to make this referral, the Principal will make it on their behalf. Child FIRST (Family Information, Referral and Support Team) is a community-based referral point into Family Services. In addition to reporting suspected abuse to appropriate authorities, you should make a referral to Child FIRST if:
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In addition to reporting suspected abuse to appropriate authorities, you must contact Victoria Police on 000 if the:
Reporting to DHHS Child ProtectionIn addition to reporting suspected abuse to appropriate authorities, you should contact DHHS Child Protection if you believe a child is in need of protection.
This includes all concerns that:
Common grounds for protection include:
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