When considering if a report/notification to the Child Abuse Report Line is required, consider there must be an act or omission by the parent/guardian/caregiver that is causing the child or young person to be harmed or be at risk of harm.

It is noted that criminal activity is important to report to police. However, it may not be a reportable/notifiable child protection matter.

The following are examples of scenarios where contacting the Child Abuse Report Line is not necessary. The mandated reporter/notifier should consider how they can continue to support the family within their professional capacity and explore other support services available for children, young people and families that may be able to help address the concerns, if appropriate.

The parents/guardians/caregivers engage in criminal activity

Where a child or young person is not involved, aware or affected, these are not child protection matters. Criminal activities including theft, prostitution or drug cultivation or production are issues that should be referred to SA Police (131 444).

The parent/guardian/caregivers use drugs and/or alcohol recreationally

If the parent/guardian/caregiver’s drug and/or alcohol use has no known impact on the child or young person, they engage in the activities when the child or young person is not present, or it does not affect their capacity to parent, it should not be reported/notified to the Child Abuse Report Line.

Siblings are arguing/fighting

When siblings argue/fight, this has no obvious child protection component. While the matter may be of concern, it is not an issue to report/notify to the Child Abuse Report Line, unless the child or young person is harmed and the parent/guardian/caregiver is not protective.

The child or young person has a non-suspicious bruise/injury

If the explanation for the bruise/injury is consistent with the bruise/injury and raises no concern, the child or young person’s behaviour has not noticeably changed, or there has been no disclosure raising concern about how the bruise/injury occurred, it should not be reported/notified to the Child Abuse Report Line.

See Indicators of harm or risk to children and young people for more detail about when bruising becomes an issue.

Child or young person with suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harming

While these matters are of concern, where there is no suspicion that the parent/guardian/caregiver’s behaviour has caused the mental health issue, and the parent/guardian/caregiver is seeking or engaging in appropriate support for the child or young person, they are not child protection matters and should not be reported to the Child Abuse Report Line

The investigation process by the Department for Child Protection, SA Police or Child Protection Services can be distressing for the child, young person and their families.

Only contact the Child Abuse Report Line when a reasonable suspicion of harm, or risk of harm, to a child or young person exists.

See Indicators of harm or risk to children and young people and Reasonable grounds for more detail about when suspected harm or risk of harm becomes an issue.