Substantiation outcomes of investigation and assessments
Source: Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.
What is being counted
- Data is for the year ending the reference date (12 months of data).
- Counts notifications recorded during the reference period, where an investigation and assessment has been finalised and the outcome was recorded as substantiated in need of protection or substantiated not in need of protection.
- Non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: Includes non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and children whose Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status is unknown or not stated.
Definition notes
- Investigation and assessment: An investigation and assessment (I&A) is Child Safety's response to all notifications, and is the process of assessing a child’s need for protection, if there are allegations of harm or risk of harm to the child (Child Protection Act 1999, section 14 (1)).
The outcome of an I&A may be either:
- Substantiated
- Unsubstantiated
- Other or
- No Subject Child - where it is determined the child does not exist or is not a member of the household being investigated, and the case is closed. - Substantiated - Child in need of protection: The outcome of an investigation and assessment where it is assessed that the child or young person has suffered, is suffering, or is at unacceptable risk of suffering future, significant harm and there is no parent able and willing to protect the child.
- Substantiated - Child not in need of protection: The outcome of an investigation and assessment where it is assessed that the child or young person has suffered significant harm, but there is no unacceptable risk of future significant harm as the child has a parent able and willing to protect them.
- Intake source: The source of the concerns received.
- Mandatory reporters: Under legislation there are groups of people and professionals who are required to report child protection concerns.
These include:
- medical practitioners and registered nurses
- approved teachers
- authorised officers or employees of the department
- police officers with child protection responsibilities
- a person performing a child advocate function under the Public Guardian Act 2014
- early childhood education and care professionals
- employees of licensed residential facilities with respect to harm involving children in residential care.
Time series notes
From June 2017: Changes to the Child Protection Act 1999 included mandatory reporting from police, health and school personnel.
Impact on data: Changed (increased) the scope of matters required to be reported to the department
From September 2017: Changes to the Child Protection Act 1999 included early childhood personnel to be mandatory reporters.