[BCM] [MSF] [E3] [BIA] [DP] [CBF] [1] Protection and Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Sub-CBF Code

Sub-Critical Business Function

Description of Process / Activity

Example (MSF Context)

1.1

Safeguarding Concern Intake and Referral Receipt

Receive reports, referrals, notifications or information concerning suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, family violence or other safeguarding concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult. Capture sufficient information to initiate assessment and determine the appropriate response pathway.

MSF receives a safeguarding referral concerning a child who may be experiencing serious neglect and records the information for immediate screening.

1.2

Initial Information Verification

Verify essential information associated with the referral, including identity, location, nature of the concern, persons involved, available contact information and known case history where accessible. Resolve critical information gaps where possible.

The receiving officer confirms the child's identity, household information, and any available previous case information before the case is further assessed.

1.3

Initial Safeguarding Screening

Conduct an initial screening to determine whether the reported concern falls within the relevant safeguarding mandate, identify indicators of harm and establish whether further assessment or referral is required.

A reported concern is screened to determine whether the circumstances indicate possible abuse or neglect requiring safeguarding intervention.

1.4

Urgency and Severity Classification

Assess the urgency, severity and potential consequences of the reported safeguarding concern. Categorise the case according to established criteria so that time-critical cases receive priority attention.

A case involving allegations of immediate physical danger is classified as urgent and escalated ahead of lower-risk cases.

1.5

Immediate Safety and Harm Assessment

Determine whether the child or vulnerable adult faces an immediate or imminent threat to safety, health or welfare and whether urgent protective action is necessary.

An assessment determines that remaining in the current environment could expose the individual to further serious harm.

1.6

Emergency Safeguarding Response

Initiate urgent safeguarding actions where immediate intervention is required. Coordinate emergency measures necessary to reduce the risk of harm and stabilise the situation.

MSF coordinates urgent intervention with relevant parties when a child is assessed to be in immediate danger.

1.7

Case Assignment and Responsibility Allocation

Assign the safeguarding case to an appropriate officer, team or responsible service based on case type, severity, location, expertise and workload. Establish clear case ownership and accountability.

A high-risk safeguarding case is allocated to an appropriately qualified team for investigation and case management.

1.8

Detailed Safeguarding Assessment

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the safeguarding concern, including the nature and extent of potential harm, family or caregiving circumstances, vulnerability factors, protective factors and immediate and longer-term needs.

Officers assess the circumstances surrounding alleged neglect, including the child's living conditions, caregiver capacity and existing support arrangements.

1.9

Information and Evidence Collection

Obtain relevant information, records, statements, observations and other evidence necessary to understand the safeguarding concern and support appropriate decisions. Maintain information integrity, confidentiality and traceability.

Relevant case records and information from authorised parties are consolidated to support assessment of the safeguarding concern.

1.10

Multi-Agency Information Coordination

Coordinate information with relevant government agencies, healthcare providers, schools, social service organisations, law enforcement, or other authorised parties, as required for safeguarding assessment and intervention.

Information required to understand a child's safety circumstances is coordinated among relevant agencies while maintaining appropriate confidentiality controls.

1.11

Risk and Protective-Factor Assessment

Evaluate factors that increase the likelihood or severity of harm as well as protective factors that may reduce risk. Use the assessment to determine the appropriate level of intervention and monitoring.

Officers consider caregiver behaviour, household conditions, previous incidents, support networks and the child's immediate circumstances when determining risk.

1.12

Safeguarding Decision and Intervention Determination

Determine the appropriate safeguarding response based on the completed assessment. Decisions may involve monitoring, family intervention, protective measures, referral to specialist services or other appropriate action.

Following assessment, MSF determines that structured intervention and ongoing monitoring are necessary to protect the individual.

1.13

Protection and Safety Planning

Develop a documented plan specifying the measures required to protect the child or vulnerable adult, including immediate safeguards, responsible parties, monitoring arrangements, escalation triggers and follow-up actions.

A safety plan identifies protective arrangements, responsible case officers, required support services, and circumstances that require immediate escalation.

1.14

Protective Placement or Alternative Care Coordination

Where continued residence in the existing environment presents unacceptable risk, coordinate appropriate protective placement, alternative care or other safe arrangements in accordance with applicable requirements.

Temporary safe placement is coordinated for a child when remaining in the existing home environment is assessed as unsafe.

1.15

Family and Caregiver Intervention Coordination

Coordinate interventions intended to address contributing family, caregiver or household factors and strengthen conditions necessary for sustainable safety and welfare.

Relevant family support services are coordinated to address caregiving difficulties that contribute to the safeguarding concern.

1.16

Specialist Service Referral and Coordination

Refer the affected person or family to appropriate specialist services and coordinate service involvement where required. These may include healthcare, counselling, psychological, social, legal or other specialised support.

A vulnerable individual requiring specialised psychological support is referred to an appropriate service provider as part of the intervention plan.

1.17

Ongoing Case Management

Manage the safeguarding case following initial intervention. Coordinate actions, maintain case information, track agreed measures and ensure that responsible parties carry out required activities.

The assigned case officer monitors implementation of the agreed safeguarding and support measures and updates the case record.

1.18

Safety and Welfare Monitoring

Conduct continuing monitoring to determine whether the individual remains safe, whether circumstances have changed and whether existing safeguards remain effective.

Scheduled follow-ups assess whether previously established safety arrangements continue to adequately protect the child.

1.19

Case Escalation and Reassessment

Escalate and reassess cases when new information emerges, risk increases, agreed interventions fail, or circumstances materially change. Adjust the safeguarding response accordingly.

New evidence suggesting increased risk triggers immediate reassessment and escalation to the appropriate decision-making authority.

1.20

Multi-Agency Case Coordination

Coordinate ongoing safeguarding activities among relevant agencies and service providers to maintain a coherent response, avoid gaps in responsibility and address interdependent needs.

MSF coordinates with relevant public agencies and social service partners to ensure that protection, care and support activities remain aligned.

1.21

Case Review and Safeguarding Outcome Evaluation

Periodically review the case to assess progress, continuing risks, effectiveness of interventions and whether protective arrangements should be maintained, strengthened, reduced or changed.

A formal case review determines whether existing measures have sufficiently reduced the identified safeguarding risks.

1.22

Transition and Step-Down Planning

Plan the transition from intensive safeguarding intervention to lower-intensity monitoring, community support, family support or another appropriate service once risk has been sufficiently reduced.

Following sustained improvement, a case transitions from intensive safeguarding oversight to community-based family support.

1.23

Case Closure Decision

Determine whether safeguarding objectives have been sufficiently achieved to permit formal case closure. Confirm that residual risks are understood and appropriate continuing support arrangements are in place where necessary.

MSF determines that the identified safeguarding risks have been adequately addressed and that the case can be formally closed.

1.24

Case Closure Documentation and Records Management

Complete required case documentation, record the basis for closure, preserve relevant records and ensure information is retained and protected according to applicable requirements.

The case officer completes closure documentation and ensures safeguarding records remain appropriately secured and retrievable.

1.25

Post-Case Learning and Improvement

Identify significant lessons from complex, serious or unusual cases and use these insights to improve procedures, controls, training, coordination arrangements and safeguarding capabilities.

Lessons from a complex multi-agency case are reviewed to identify opportunities to strengthen future coordination and escalation arrangements.