how do I make a report?
To make a report you need to call the Child Protection Helpline on 13 3627.
- If you are a mandatory reporter employed in a Government agency that has a Child Wellbeing Unit (CWU) - call your CWU for help in identifying whether a case meets the new threshold of risk of significant harm.
- If you are a mandatory reporter employed by a non-government organisation or a Government agency without a CWU - report matters where you believe a child is at risk of significant harm to the Community Services Helpline on 13 3627.
You can use the Mandatory Reporter Guide for help in identifying whether a case meets the new threshold of risk of significant harm.
Guidance on making a child protection report is available from the Child Wellbeing & Child Protection - NSW Interagency Guidelines section on making a report.
information needed for a report
Helpful information for Community Services includes:
- full name, date of birth (or approximate age), address and phone number of the child/ren you are concerned about
- full name (including any known aliases), approximate age, address and phone number of the parents or carers
- a description of the child and their current whereabouts
- why you suspect the child is at risk of significant harm (what you have seen, heard or been told)
- whether a language or sign interpreter may be required, whether support is required for a person with a disability or an Aboriginal agency is involved
- your name and contact details.
Sometimes you may not have all of this information. As a minimum, Community Services needs to be able to identify and locate the child. Information that assists this, such as the child’s school or child care centre, is also helpful.
See what happens when I make a report?
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (24 hours/7 days)