Child Protection Services

Child Protection Services (CPS) assesses and treats children from birth to 18 years and their families where there are suspicions of child abuse or neglect.

CPS offers a range of services including:

• telephone consultation to discuss child protection matters and receive information on how to obtain appropriate services.
• forensic medical/psychosocial/psychological assessment to develop an understanding of a child's situation by gathering information and forming opinions and recommendations with regard to abuse, safety issues and needs of the child and family/carers.
• therapy for children and family members where abuse has been established and there is evidence of resulting harm which needs to be resolved to restore and enhance health.

CPS also

• actively participates in inter-agency collaboration and community development
• advocates on behalf of its client group
• undertakes research into abuse and neglect
• provides training and education for medical practitioners and allied health professionals in order to strengthen and streamline service response to children and their families.

CPS serves the central and northern metropolitan and northern country areas of South Australia, with a clinical team of forensic paediatricians, social workers and psychologists, and an administrative team.

CPS provides an after hours emergency telephone consultation service, which can be accessed by Children, Youth and Family Services (CYFS), the police, health professionals, the WCH Paediatric Emergency Department and other hospitals.

Individuals who suspect abuse/neglect of children should report their concerns to CYFS, by phoning the child abuse report line on (08) 131478, in the first instance.

How to access the service

CPS accepts referrals from CYFS and the police and provides a telephone consultation service and advice to other professionals and the community.

Referrals may be made by the faxing of the referral information to the CPS intake worker (fax (08) 8161 6062). All referrals must be confirmed by the referring agent either by direct or telephone contact with the CPS intake worker.

CPS will contact the child's carer or referring agent regarding an appointment.

Information for families

Parents/caregivers and children have a right to an open and honest approach from CPS staff, who will provide a clear explanation of the nature and process of their assessments, concerns, recommendations and interventions.

Staff will strive to maintain a constructive relationship with parents, colleagues, CYFS and the police, recognising their strengths and capabilities and their role in the life of the child.

Resources/training program

CPS conducts training courses for medical practitioners

• The Medical Evaluation of Suspected Sexual Abuse in Children and Adolescents (3 day course)
• The Forensic Medical Evaluation of Injury in Relation to Suspected Child Abuse (3 day course)

For course information phone (08) 8161 7245 or (08) 8161 6247.

Hours

General Business Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Contact details

Unit Head

Locations

3^rd Floor, Samuel Way Building (main office)

Level 3, Norwich Centre

77 King William Road

North Adelaide

South Australia

Mailing address

Child Protection Services

3^rd Floor

Samuel Way Building

Women's and Children's Hospital

72 King William Road

North Adelaide

South Australia 5006

Phone/fax/email

General Enquiries ph (08) 8161 7346

Intake Enquiries ph (08)  8161 7346

After Hours Service (08) 8161 7000

Fax (08) 8161 6062

Email childprot@wch.sa.gov.au

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