Critical and major incidents
Amendments have been made to the Child Protection Act 1999 which make it mandatory for foster and kinship carers to report to Child Safety if they reasonably suspect a child in care has suffered, is suffering, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering significant harm caused by physical or sexual abuse. Carers now have the same legal obligation as employees of family-based care services, employees of non-family-based care services (including staff who directly care for children), and Child Safety staff to report a reasonable suspicion about a child in care.
The mandatory reporting requirement does not duplicate the requirement under the Criminal Code Act 1899 for all adults in Queensland to report sexual offending against a child by another adult to the police. Carers with a reasonable suspicion about a sexual offence involving a child in care can make a report to Child Safety.
As the child’s carer, you may be the first person to be aware of a critical or major incident involving or impacting on a child in care. Your immediate response, and the ongoing guidance and advice from others in the child’s safety and support network, will help in providing a supportive, responsive and safe care environment for the child, and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Reporting a critical incident
Managing critical incidents includes responding to and reporting events which negatively impact, or have the potential to negatively impact, on the safety, well-being and best interests of a child in care.
The following table provides a list of Category 1 Critical Incidents. Some may require the involvement of emergency services, such as the Queensland Ambulance, Fire or Police Services. In emergencies do not hesitate to dial 000 (triple zero).
Child Safety requires you to report category one critical incidents immediately, or as soon as practical given the circumstances. You can contact your child safety service centre during business hours, or if after hours, contact the child safety after hours service centre on 1800 177 135. You can also contact your support agency and they will contact Child Safety immediately.
Category 1: Critical Incidents | |
Death |
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Life threatening injury (hospitalisation) |
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Missing or abducted child |
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Major security incident |
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Rape, sexual assault or other serious assault |
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Significant mental health episode (immediate medical treatment) |
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Concern requiring immediate response |
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Alleged criminal behaviour |
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Negative experience during family time |
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Serious or life threatening injury |
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Reporting a major incident
Category 2 Critical Incidents must be reported to Child Safety immediately, as soon as possible or at least by the next business day of you becoming aware of the incident. You can contact your child safety service centre during business hours, or if after hours, contact the child safety after hours service centre on 1800 177 135. You can also contact your support agency and they will contact Child Safety with the information.
Category 2: Major incidents | |
Serious injury |
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Alleged harm, neglect or exploitation |
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Self-harm |
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Escalating risk taking behaviour |
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Alleged criminal behaviour |
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Serious threat |
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Substance misuse |
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Absence |
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Property damage |
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Incidents of significant concern
There may be other incidents of significant concern that will warrant timely reporting and discussion with your Child Safety Officer or agency support worker.
This includes circumstances in which you are concerned that a child in care has suffered, is suffering or is at an unacceptable risk of suffering, significant harm caused by physical or sexual abuse.
A foster and kinship carer who forms a reasonable suspicion that a child in care has suffered, is suffering or is at an unacceptable risk of suffering, significant harm caused by physical or sexual abuse is now mandated by law to report the reasonable suspicion to Child Safety. Refer to Mandatory reporting for further information.
Who to contact
- In emergencies, call 000 (triple zero).
- Queensland Police Service – find your nearest police station in the White Pages under ‘Police Service’ or the Queensland Police Service website under ‘station locator’.
- Child safety after hours service centre – call 1800 177 135 for after-hours advice and support.
- Foster and kinship carer support line – call 1300 729 309 Monday to Friday, from 5am to 11.30pm and Saturday to Sunday, from 7am to 11.30pm.
- Policelink – call 13 14 44 if a missing child is located.