Protecting our kids

Reporting a child at risk, signs of child abuse and neglect, child protection laws, family preservation, FACS services that keep kids safe, Mandatory reporters

Quick access

The Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG)

Browse Protecting our kids

Keeping children safe

Child protection laws in NSW, FACS services that keep children safe, keeping families together through preservation, preferred order of permanent placement.
- Protecting children is everyone's job
  
  The law protecting children and young people’s health and wellbeing, why it's a shared responsibility, and how we work with families.
- FACS services that keep children safe
  
  Information about the services Family and Community Services (FACS) provides including prevention and early intervention, child protection, and out of home care.
- Children's rights
  
  Children and young people have legal rights, whether they live with their families or with carers. Find out about the Charter of Rights for children and young people.
- Keeping families safely together
  
  Our priority is keeping families safely together, when that's not possible there is a preferred order of permanent placement for children and young people, as well as Aboriginal placement principles.
Reporting a child at risk

The signs of abuse and neglect, Should I call the Child Protection Helpline? What happens after I make a report? What if someone reports my child?
- Child at risk of harm and neglect
  
  Information on what child abuse and neglect is, the signs of abuse, and how to respond when a child or adult tells you about abuse.
- Should I call to report a child at risk?
  
  How to decide if you need to report a child who has been abused, neglected or is at significant risk of harm.
- What happens once a report is made to the Child Protection Helpline?
  
  How Family and Community Services (FACS) responds to a report made on the Child Protection Helpline.
- What happens if my child is reported to the Child Protection Helpline?
  
  Family and Community Services (FACS) may contact you if a report of abuse or significant risk of harm is lodged for a child or young person in your care.
Mandatory reporters

What is a mandatory reporter? What needs to be reported? Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG), using ChildStory and the Child Protection Helpline.
- Who are mandatory reporters?
  
  A list of professions who are required to be mandatory reporters, and the laws that regulate and guide them.
- Mandatory reporters: What to report and when
  
  Information on how to use the decision tree in the Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) guide, when to report and what you need to report.
- Mandatory reporters: How to make a child protection report
  
  Calling the Child Protection Helpline versus making an eReport, eReports after MRG outcome, registering for eReport capability.
- Mandatory reporters: What happens after I make a report?
  
  When FACS receives your report, we're required by law to make an assessment. The information you provide will inform what action is needed.

Was this content useful?

Protecting our kids

Quick access

Browse Protecting our kids

Keeping children safe

Reporting a child at risk

Mandatory reporters