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2.8.1.20 ACCS (child wellbeing) - where a child is at risk of serious abuse or neglect

Summary

This topic describes the circumstances in which a child is at risk (1.1.A.110) of serious abuse or neglect and covers:

  • where a child is at risk of serious abuse or neglect,
  • where a child is not necessarily at risk of serious abuse or neglect.

Where a child is at risk of serious abuse or neglect

For the purposes of ACCS (child wellbeing), a child is taken to be at risk of serious abuse or neglect if the child is at risk of experiencing harm, as a result of current or past circumstances or events that resulted in the child being subject to, or exposed to one or more of the following:

  • serious physical, emotional or psychological abuse,
  • sexual abuse,
  • domestic or family violence (1.1.F.15), or
  • neglect.

Example: Charlotte and her mum Tracy live in a small apartment. Charlotte regularly witnessed how her mother's partner sexually and physically abused her. Tracy and her partner are now separated, but Charlotte has been deeply disturbed and is still suffering the consequences, for example, by having anxiety attacks, nightmares and an inability to trust strangers. Charlotte has been identified as meeting the definition of 'at risk', as she experienced harm in the past, which continues to impact her.

'At risk' also includes situations where the child is likely to experience those circumstances in the future, in that the risk is 'real and apparent'.

Example: Chloe seems to not be putting on weight and the approved provider (1.1.A.90) is concerned that she may be at risk. Chloe's parents (1.1.P.10) explain that Chloe has been diagnosed with Coeliac's Disease and they need to discuss her dietary needs at child care based on the changes they are introducing at home. In this case, the risk that Chloe is likely to experience neglect in the future is not 'real and apparent'.

Any child who is identified as being 'at risk' by a child protection authority will meet the definition of 'at risk' and, if other criteria for making the ACCS (child wellbeing) payment are satisfied, an individual (1.1.I.90) or an approved provider may therefore become eligible to receive the ACCS (child wellbeing) payment.

Where a child is not necessarily at risk of serious abuse or neglect

There are certain circumstances that, on their own, do not mean that a child should be taken to be at serious risk of abuse or neglect:

  • The income of the individual or individuals with respect to whom the child is an FTB child or regular care child (1.1.R.21).
  • The ethnic, cultural, religious or racial background of the child or the child's immediate family.
  • The geographical location in which the child and the child's immediate family resides.
  • The child's place of residence is statistically an area of socio-economic disadvantage.
  • The child is likely to benefit from early childhood education and care programs.
  • The child has a disability.
  • The child is in a foster care or kinship care arrangement.

Act reference: FAAct section 85CA Eligibility for ACCS (child wellbeing)

CCSMinRules Part 2 Division 2 When children are at risk of serious abuse or neglect for ACCS (child wellbeing)

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