CHILD ABUSE

In reply to Mr PISONI (Unley) (27 June 2008) (Estimates Committee B).

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide): The Department of Education and Children's Services has provided the following information:

The requirements for mandated notifiers are consistent between the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Children's Services. If a notifier believes a child or young person is being abused or neglected they must ring the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) in the Department for Families and Communities (DFC).

What happens at CARL in determining the most appropriate response is based on the information provided by the notifier and any other information recorded through previous notifications.

The responses to mandatory notifications are managed by DFC. The higher the risk to a child's safety, the more immediate and comprehensive the response will be from statutory authorities.