Reporting and responding to child wellbeing and safety concerns

Protecting children from harm is a responsibility shared by everyone in the community. Making a report about suspected child abuse or neglect is an important part of this responsibility. Any member of the community can make a report by calling the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Child Protection Helpline (the Helpline), or by walking into a local Community Service Centre, if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child or young person is at risk of significant harm (ROSH).

In NSW selected classes of people, known as ‘mandatory reporters’, are required to report suspected child abuse to government authorities. Mandatory reporting requirements are included in the Care Act and theChildren and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Regulation 2012.

Mandatory reporters from NSW Police, Department of Education, and NSW Health are required to report child wellbeing concerns to their Child Wellbeing Unit (CWU).

This Part includes the following topics:

• Reporting framework
• Mandatory reporting
• Making a report
• Safeguards for reporters
• Reporting child abuse to the police
• Responding to child wellbeing and safety concerns
• Practice advice and resources