Queensland Child Protection services
Queensland Health is made up of 16 Hospital and Health Services (HHSs) which are run by independent boards, with service agreements with Queensland Health.
Each Hospital with a Paediatric service has a Child Protection Unit with a nominated Child Protection Advisor (CPA - usually a Paediatrician) and Child Protection Liaison officers (CPLOs - nursing or social work).
The degree of resourcing of these services is variable and up to local HHSs.
To support clinical staff working in child protection, there is the Statewide Child Protection Clinical Partnership, (SCPCP). This is sponsored by Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ). It provides a yearly CPA and CPLO workshop and works closely with the System Policy Branch of the Strategy, Policy and reform Division of QH.
Children's Health Queensland (CHQ)
CHQ is a standalone paediatric HHS in Brisbane, responsible for some Paediatric Statewide services, and manages tertiary and quaternary paediatric patients from across Qld and northern NSW. It also provides local services for the CHQ catchment.
Within CHQ, there is the Child Protection Forensic Medical Service (CPFMS), which provides child protection and forensic medical advice and service, both locally and across the state. It offers education and peer review opportunities for clinicians statewide.
Clinicians are encouraged to discuss child protection concerns with their local CPU when possible. If a clinician is concerned that a report is required to the Statutory Authority (Child Safety), they can also utilise a child protection reporting guide. Guideline (health.qld.gov.au)
The CPFMS provides 24-hour cover by CPFMS Paediatricians who can provide clinical support on request.
Referral pathway for forensic child protection advice
Advice should be sought locally for all Child Protection concerns from the nearest Paediatric Hospital CPU or Paediatrician on call. If required CPFMS at QCH can also provide advice and clinical support 24 hours a day.
Tertiary Child Protection service
Child Protection Forensic Medical Service (CPFMS)
CPFMS can be contacted directly during business hours via 07 3068 2660
After hours the Child Protection Paediatrician on call can be contacted via the hospital switch board on 07 3068 1111
Links to Health service information
Child Protection education resources for health workers
Statutory child protection agency
Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (dcssds.qld.gov.au)
Statutory child protection agency