CODE 1 Investigation required and commenced

Where there are significant concerns regarding harm or risk of harm to warrant an investigatory response, and the investigation commenced within the reference period. An investigation is the process whereby the Department responsible for child protection seeks to obtain more detailed information about a child who is the subject of a notification and makes an assessment about the harm or degree of harm to the child and their protective needs. An investigation includes the interviewing or sighting of the subject child where it is practicable to do so.

CODE 2 Investigation required but not yet commenced

Where there are significant concerns regarding harm or risk of harm to warrant an investigatory response but the investigation has not commenced at the end of the reference period.

CODE 3 Other intervention required

This is where there is a low risk of harm and a non-investigatory response is required. This may include: where low level harm or risk of harm has occurred and immediate assistance is given and recorded; where the family needs are still assessed and a case plan is developed; where children are assessed as low risk but still in need; where there are parenting issues or one-off incidents; and where the notification is referred to another section of the Department responsible for child protection because the Department is already working with the child.

CODE 4 No further action/no issue

This category includes notifications to the department where there are concerns about children but there is no risk of harm/actual harm and no departmental action is required. This may include notifications that: are police initiated but there are no care and protection issues, the family has moved interstate; the notification is historical in nature and there is no longer contact between the parties; where it is from the family court and the department is already involved.

CODE 5 Advice/referral to another agency required

This category includes referrals outside the jurisdictions’ child protection section. This can include other sections within the Department responsible for child protection and child protection services in other jurisdictions. It can also include brief advice and telephone counselling.

CODE 6 Assessment decision in process

This category is to be used for notifications for which an assessment decision has not been made at the end of the reference period.