Welcome to our manual

Our procedures

Use these procedures to help you understand the key steps and actions a CSO may undertake to fulfil their legislative responsibilities.

• Receive and respond at intake

  Use this procedure to gather information, assess if there is a reasonable suspicion that a child is in need of protection, or an unborn child will be in need of protection after birth, and to decide and record the intake response.

• Investigate and assess

  Use this procedure to investigate and assess allegations that a child has been significantly harmed or is at risk of significant harm (or that an unborn child will be at risk of significant harm after birth); to assess a child’s need for protection and to record the outcome of the investigation and assessment. The procedure explains how to work with the child, their parents and community to identify supports that can be provided for the child and family.

• Recommend a child protection order

  This procedure explains how to recommend the most appropriate type of child protection order, prepare an affidavit and participate in child protection proceedings.

• Support a child at home

  Use this procedure when opening a support service case or undertaking intervention with parental agreement. The procedure explains how to work with a pregnant woman to reduce the likelihood of harm to their unborn child after birth, to support a young person aged 18 or over, who has been in care and requires ongoing support with their transition to adulthood and a child, their family and members of their community to reduce the likelihood of future harm to the child.

• Support a child in care

  Use this procedure to work with children in a care arrangement to ensure their ongoing safety, belonging and wellbeing needs are met and that they are listened to and involved in planning and decision making. The procedure explains how to promote the safe care and connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, in care arrangements, with their family, community and culture.

• Provide and review care

  Use this procedure to respond when a person is interested in becoming a foster or kinship carer, or is seeking to renew their approval as a carer. The procedure explains what is required when placing a child in a care arrangement to support the carer to maintain the required standards of care. It also explains how to respond to standards of care concerns should any arise.

• Engage with other jurisdictions

  Use this procedure to understand processes and respond appropriately when working across other jurisdictions including Australian states and territories and New Zealand, Family Courts, The Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and other government and non-government agencies.

Frequently used forms, templates and resources

Use this section to see some of the most frequently used forms, templates and resources or to search for a particular item.