Child Development Network

Child Protection

If one of our Doctors suspects that a child is currently at risk of,  or a possible victim of child abuse or neglect, we are legally obliged to report our suspicions to the Department of Child Safety.

Beyond our legal obligations, the CDN policy addresses situations where children and families are under the investigation by the Department of Child Safety because of concerns about child protection, child abuse and child safety. At this time their safety is uncertain and cannot be guaranteed.

* Policy

We will not see children for whom there is active investigation by the Department of Child Safety currently underway, because the need for child safety is most important at this time.

After the investigation has been completed, and the safety of the child has been secured, we can see the child again.

Domestic Disputes

When children are in the midst of domestic disputes (such as a custody battle or unpleasant divorce proceedings), it is very difficult to diagnose and manage problems of development and behaviour. It can be hard in such situations to determine what is in the child's best interests, and what is motivated by the personal agendas of one or more parents.

During such difficult times, it is more helpful to children to provide them with mental health support, and an independent advocate who can act on the child's behalf. We do not provide these services at the CDN, as these are provided by Child Psychiatry services, other private child psychologists and social workers, and the child services of the Family Court.

* Service Policy

If a CDN clinician involved with a child believes that the current custody or domestic dispute is interfering with the services we provide to a significant degree, we reserve the right to halt these services until such times that the dispute has been resolved.

* Report Policy

We will not provide, as part of our routine clinical services, reports to solicitors and courts for the purposes of assisting with domestic legal proceedings. If such a report is to be provided, it needs to be negotiated independent of child related clinical services. We reserve the right to refuse to do such reports.