Disclosing information to child protection agencies 104-19122037

Child protection workers must send requests to their designated central liaison point. The liaison point will forward the request to the Information Release team for action.

Is the request from the designated liaison point?

• Yes, go to Step 2
• No, tell them they must send the request via their designated central liaison point. Procedure ends here

A proactive request is when:

• there is an immediate threat to the life, health or welfare of a child, and
• information is necessary to prevent or lessen the threat

Before disclosing information, staff must check the Delegations Register to ensure they have the authority. See the Resources page. If they do not, they must contact their supervisor to oversee the release.

If the request is made outside business hours, contact the Geelong Emergency Smart Centre.

If the request for information is a routine request, go to Step 3.

Go to Step 4.

The Information Release Public Interest team in the Litigation-Information Release Branch usually handle these requests.

Legislation states that delegated officers may authorise the disclosure of information in the form of a public interest certificate. There are 2 reasons when a certificate can be requested:

Centrelink

Issue a certificate when the disclosure is necessary:

• to prevent, or lessen, a threat to the life, health or welfare of a child, or
• for the purpose of contacting the parent or relative about the child

Medicare

Issue a certificate when the disclosure will help the recipient:

• prevent or lessen a serious or imminent threat to the life or health of an individual, or
• manage and investigate child protection matters

Go to Step 4.

Staff must complete the 'Release of information' form as soon as possible.

They must record their decision, to release or withhold information, in relation to child safety matters.

See Resources for a link to the form.