Illustration of a school staff member standing.

Respond to child abuse in the family

How to respond to child abuse using the 4 Critical Actions.

Schools

As soon as you believe a student has been or is at risk of being abused by someone in the family, you must act.

The actions you need to do, and when, can change. The pathway you take depends on the situation.

Also see

Determine your pathway

▲ Report to Child Protection (including a mandatory report)

Use this pathway if you form a reasonable belief that the parents/carers have not, or are unlikely to, protect the student from significant harm. You must report physical and sexual abuse.

▲ Crime

Use this pathway if you believe a crime has been committed against a child, but it is not a mandatory report.

⯀ Family violence

Use this pathway if you believe there is family violence, but it is not a mandatory report or a crime.

⯀ Family struggling with the care, wellbeing or development of a child

Use this pathway if you believe there is significant wellbeing concern or the family is struggling with the care, wellbeing or development of a child, but its not a mandatory report, crime or family violence.

If you are not sure

Contact The Orange Door for advice if you are not sure about which pathway to take.

When this guidance applies

When the abuse is by someone in the family.

This includes:

  • siblings
  • intimate partner relationships.

The Reportable Conduct Scheme applies when the family member is engaged by the school.

If your concern is not about abuse in the family:

Education & training

Updated

Illustration of three school staff members standing together.

At all times

Throughout the 4 Critical Actions, you must:

Back to top