Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

Table of contents:

Graphs

Admissions to temporary assessment orders, Queensland, 2006-07 to 2010-11 Admissions to temporary assessment orders, Queensland, 2006-07 to 2010-11

YearAll children
2006-07 716
2007-08 1407
2008-09 1612
2009-10 1223
2010-11 1198

Admissions to court assessment orders, Queensland, 2006-07 to 2010-11 Admissions to court assessment orders, Queensland, 2006-07 to 2010-11

YearAll children
2006-07 1537
2007-08 1551
2008-09 1709
2009-10 1232
2010-11 1106

Tables

DescriptionAnnualQuarterly
AO.1: Admissions to assessment orders, by type of order and child safety zone, Queensland Excel (XLS, 29 KB)  
AO.2: Admissions to assessment orders, by type of order and region, Queensland Excel (XLS, 28 KB) Excel (XLS, 27 KB)

What are assessment orders?

Assessment orders authorise actions during the investigation and assessment process where the consent of the parents has not been able to be obtained.

There are two types of assessment orders:

  • Temporary Assessment Orders (TAO) - if parents will not consent to actions necessary to complete an investigation and assessment a TAO can be sought directly from a magistrate to ensure completion of an investigation and assessment in a timely manner. TAOs can also provide the authority to temporarily take a child into custody of the chief executive (Director-General) of the department, however, guardianship remains with the child's parents. A TAO cannot remain in effect for any longer than three days from midnight on the date it was decided and can only be extended if the magistrate is satisfied that the child safety officer intends to apply for a court assessment order or a child protection order.
  • Court Assessment Order (CAO) - the department must apply to the court for a CAO, a more protracted process than applying directly to a magistrate. CAOs can also provide the authority to temporarily take a child into custody of the chief executive (Director-General) of the department, however, guardianship remains with the child's parents. CAOs are granted for a maximum of 28 days, however the Child Protection Act 1999 allows for one extension of a further 28 days.

Why this topic is important

A thorough investigation and assessment is critical in determining the current and ongoing safety and protective needs of a child.

The department's response to all notifications is to conduct an investigation and assessment. When this cannot occur with parental consent, assessment orders enable the department to proceed.

Trends

During 2010-11, there were 2,304 admissions to assessment orders, comprising 1,198 admissions to TAOs and 1,106 admissions to CAOs.

This is a decrease of 6.2 per cent since 2009-10 where there were 2,455 admissions to assessment orders, comprising 1,223 admissions to TAOs and 1,232 admissions to CAOs.