Child Protection Alerts (CPA)

Care and protection concerns raised for vulnerable unborn babies, children and young people under the age of 18 years by Waikato DHB staff result in a Report of Concern (RoC) to Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children.  A copy of the RoC is also sent to the Waikato DHB Child Advisory Protection & Education team (CAPE) for consideration of a National Child Protection Alert as part of a Ministry of Health nationally agreed framework.
 
A Child Protection Alert is a national health alert that draws attention to information recorded in the past that may or may not be relevant to the current health of the individual. These alerts are seen nationally via the medical warning system and should always be interpreted in the context of the current presentation. The presence of a CPA does not necessarily mean that the individual is still at risk. If you are uncertain, always seek advice. 
 
To avoid parents delaying treatment due to this health alert, parents are unaware the alert exists. If a parent/guardian asks if an alert exists, this should be addressed honestly.  
 
Most children and young people referred to Oranga Tamariki by all DHB staff nationally, result in a CPA but some cases may not.  If on any presentation you have concerns about child protection, the absence of a CPA should not be regarded as evidence that the individual is not at risk now.

Contact Waikato DHB Child Advisory Protection & Education team (CAPE) at childprotection@waikatodhb.health.nz with any queries
 
The 2016 MoH Family Violence Assessment and Intervention Guideline-Child Abuse and intimate partner violence can be accessed via: https://www.health.govt.nz/publication/family-violence-assessment-and-intervention-guideline-child-abuse-and-intimate-partner-violence
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