Sometimes brothers and sisters, grandparents or other family members of a child are involved. The Department provides services to children and families where child abuse or neglect has been alleged or identified. Allegations of child abuse and neglect are investigated and responded to with advice, information and assistance provided to families and community members. Emphasis is placed on maintaining children with their families and by educating and supporting parents to care for their children. The Child Protection Act 1999 provides for the protection of children.
Services assist young people who offend or are at risk of harm and families and children at risk.
Essentially the program seeks to prevent the potential for abuse or neglect occurring within these families through the provision of practical assistance and therapeutic input. The responsibility for making sure that the needs of children are met and that they are safe within their families is shared between the family, the community and the state. When adults caring for children do not follow through with their responsibilities, are abusive or exploit their positions of power, then it is the wider child protection system that becomes responsible for taking action. Depending on how serious the risk and harm is to a child's safety and well being will depend on the type of service provided Child Protection and the Juvenile Justice Branch work to ensure the safety and well being of adolescents and children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. The Branch funds, supports and monitors services including Victoria's child protection service, accommodation and support services for children and adolescents in care, adoption and permanent care, and juvenile justice services.