Child Protection referrals inquiry

Systemic inquiry into the effectiveness of referrals by Child Protection to services in managing risk to children and young people

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We have established an inquiry into Child Protection referrals. 

When a report to Child Protection doesn’t meet the threshold for it to intervene, the child’s family may be referred to other support services. We're exploring whether these referrals protect children and young people from harm. 

Why we are doing this inquiry

We established this inquiry because in our work, we have seen that referrals from Child Protection are often unsuccessful. This means children and young people are left in risky situations with the potential to experience more harm. 

In our Lost, not forgotten inquiry, we called this the ‘refer and close roundabout’. In this inquiry, we examined cases where this roundabout concluded with the death of several children and young people by suicide. Despite the recommendations made in that inquiry, and some changes in policy and practice since, the issue persists. 

What we are looking at

This inquiry will consider the impact of this pattern on children and young people and make recommendations to the Victorian Government aimed at ensuring that children and young people are not left in situations of chronic risk and ongoing harm.  

The inquiry’s terms of reference are to: 

  • examine the service response to children and young people whose circumstances are assessed as not meeting the threshold for statutory intervention, including:
    • the effectiveness of referrals to support services
    • the number of referrals that are closed and result in re-reports, the reasons for closure, and the outcome, including whether there are further re-referrals to the same service
    • the types of harms and risk experienced by the children and young people in these situations including any escalation of risk
  • examine service system responses in other jurisdictions where risk falls short of the threshold for statutory intervention, but where risk is significant or likely to escalate without adequate support
  • make recommendations to improve responses and ensure that children and young people at risk and those experiencing cumulative harm are provided with appropriate supports.

How to have your say in the inquiry

We want to hear from children and young people about their involvement with Child Protection, The Orange Door, and child and family and other services. 

We want to understand:

  • whether they were contacted directly by these agencies

  • how they experienced that contact

  • whether any changes to their circumstances may have resulted from this involvement, and

  • what improvements could be made to help them and others in the future.

Have your say in our inquiry

If you know of children who might be interested in participating or if you have any general questions about the inquiry, please email engage@ccyp.vic.gov.au.

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