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Welcome to the online Queensland Child Protection Guide (CPG).

The Queensland Child Protection Guide (CPG) is a decision support guide that has been collaboratively developed across both the government and non-government sector led by the Children's Research Center, USA, to assist professionals to appropriately report or refer families to Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety) or other service providers in a timely manner. The CPG was implemented on 23 January 2012 as a 12 month trial and was subsequently expanded across Queensland to support professionals with decisions around referral pathways for families.

The CPG is intended to complement rather than replace an individual professional's critical thinking and does not prohibit a professional from any course of action he/she believes is appropriate.

If you become concerned that a child known to you in your professional working capacity is being abused or neglected, or is likely to be abused or neglected, and there may not be a parent willing and able to protect the child from harm, this CPG is a resource to help you make a decision about where and to whom to report or refer a child and his/her family to ensure they receive the supports and services they need in a timely manner.

  1. Start on this page.
  2. Select the main decision tree that most closely matches the concern(s) you have. If you have more than one concern, start with your most serious concern.
  3. After selecting the applicable decision tree, you will be asked questions.
  4. It is important to read the accompanying definitions to provide a 'yes' or 'no' answer until a final recommendation is reached.
  5. A decision report can be generated with an explanation of the outcome based on your completion of the decision tree.
  6. The decision report may be printed and/or saved for your records.

NOTE: If a child has a serious illness or injury requiring immediate medical attention, OR a crime has just been or is about to be committed, OR a child has just caused or is about to cause serious harm to self or others, first call 'triple 0' and ask for the appropriate service to respond to the emergency and/or seek immediate medical or mental health care.

When the situation is under control, proceed to using this CPG to guide your decision if required.

Decision trees for selection include:
  • Physical Harm
  • Neglect
  • Sexual Abuse
  • Emotional/Psychological Harm
  • Parent Concern
  • Pregnant Woman - Unborn Child

If your concern does not fit any of the decision trees, and you still have child protection concerns, it is strongly recommended that you seek advice from your supervisor and other internal agency resources.

The CPG does not restrict a professional from contacting the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services (Child Safety) with concerns regarding harm or suspected harm to a child or young person.