Child in contact with sex offender

This procedure applies when Child Protection receives a report about a child in contact with a person convicted of a child sexual offence, including a person registered on the National Child Offender System (NCOS), formerly known as the Australian National Child Offender Register (ANCOR).

NCOS reports are also known as ANCOR reports.

See Children in contact with sex offenders – advice for additional information.

These reports may be received on open or closed cases, or for children not known to Child Protection.

Only reports from police relating to persons on NCOS are registered in CRIS as ANCOR reports.

Case practitioner tasks

• If a person other than a Victoria Police member makes a report about a child in contact with a sex offender, register the report on CRIS as you would for any report. Notify the Victoria Police Sex Offender Registry of the allegation. Follow procedures for Receiving, registering and classifying a report.
• If a Victoria Police member makes a report about a child in contact with a registered sex offender, register the report on CRIS as reporter type ‘Police – ANCOR’.
• Section 42D (2) of the CYFA enables child protection practitioners and Victoria Police members to disclose to non-offending parents and carers the registration status of registered sex offenders. If the reporting Victoria Police officer advises disclosure has occurred under this section, ensure the area manager is aware of the report. This information needs to be considered when planning the investigation.
• Seek information about the offender’s contact with the child from:
  • the Victoria Police compliance manager, and/or
  • the Sex Offender Registry.
• Seek information from other critical sources such as obtaining:
  • a new or updated national police history check on the offender
  • the offender’s summary of charges from the Victoria Police Sex Offender Registry
  • an offender’s assessment and treatment history from Corrections Victoria Specialist Offender Assessment and Treatment Service
  • the judge’s sentencing remarks for matters heard in the County Court or Supreme Court.
• Review the file. If the victim is named in the sentencing remarks or the summary of charges material and that person is not the subject of the current report, ensure their name is not recorded in the CRIS record for the current report.
• Initiate a report if you become aware that a registered sex offender is in contact with a child not included within an open report/case and notify the Victoria Police Sex Offender Registry.
• Maintain confidentiality requirements.
• Do not disclose information about a person’s status as a registered sex offender unless reasonable steps are taken to advise the registered offender of the intended disclosure unless it is believed that disclosing would endanger the life or safety of any person. 

A child protection practitioner must not disclose to the mother of an unborn child that the person with whom she is in a relationship with a RSO. Child Protection may however disclose to this person the RSO has a criminal history relating to a child sexual offence or offences.

• Select the relevant essential information categories, ensuring S162 (d) in the harm category is selected and the evidence-based factor ‘contact with convicted child sex offender’.
• Where it is a parent or caregiver that is the registered sex offender, in the essential information category ‘parent and caregiver characteristics’ select ‘involved with police or criminal justice system’ and add detail of their conviction status and time on the registry to the supporting information box.
• Recommend a report classification for a new intake within three days of the date of the report according to the procedure for Receiving, registering and classifying a report.
• Classify any first NCOS/ANCOR report on a child as a protective intervention report unless there is compelling evidence of safety for the child.
• Consult your principal practitioner or practice leader and your team manager if you are considering closing the case without investigation.
• Consult a divisional principal practitioner if an external assessment is required.
• Ensure risk assessment and investigation processes are consistent for children in contact with registrable or non-registrable offenders. 
• Complete an intake risk assessment and seek endorsement from a team manager for the decision.

Team manager tasks

• Support the practitioner.
• Classify any first NCOS/ANCOR report on a child as a protective intervention report unless there is compelling evidence of safety for the child.
• Ensure that a principal practitioner or practice leader is consulted regarding the decision during any phase to close a case where there has been a NCOS/ANCOR report. Following consultation, endorse case closure if appropriate.
• Provide endorsement for the decision to the practitioner.

Principal practitioner and practice leader tasks

• Consult with practitioners regarding the decision during any phase to close a case where there has been a NCOS/ANCOR report about the child or where an external assessment has been recommended. Endorsement by a team manager in conjunction with a principal practitioner or practice leader is required when seeking an external assessment.

• Receiving, registering and classifying a report
• National police history checks policy

• Children in contact with sex offenders - advice