Child protection

The Child Protection Co-Ordination and Support Unit (CPCSU) ensures CSNSW meets its legislative responsibilities under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 as well as those contained in the NSW Government's Interagency Guidelines for Child Protection Intervention. These primarily relate to ensuring children and young people in Corrective Services' NSW care are safe from harm and that when a child is identified as being at significant risk of harm it is reported to the Department of Family and Community Services.

The CPCSU also develops policies relating to the safety and well-being of children under 18 years of age who visit correctional centres and manages the CSNSW Child Contact Assessment Program (CCAP). CCAP requires inmates who have or have had a child-victim (or those bail-refused with an alleged child-victim) to formally apply to receive visits from children. CCAP applies to sexual, violent and other offences against or directly involving children (such as pornography or exposure to significant Domestic violence). An assessment is conducted and decisions are made by a central panel chaired by the CPCSU's Director.

Services and Programs

• Managing and coordinating the Child Contact Assessment Program (CCAP)
• Convening Child Protection Panel to make decisions on CCAP applications
• Managing and coordinating Information Exchange under Chapter 16A
• Development of policies and procedures
• Advice and support regarding Child Protection to staff across CSNSW
• Child protection training for staff
• Presentations about child protection matters for CSNSW staff meetings and conferences

For any further information on child protection issues:

Coordinators Phone: 02 9295 6744
Email: child.protection@justice.nsw.gov.au