SA Youth Court — Care and Protection Application (Children and Young People Safety Act 2017)

Issuing authority

Department for Child Protection SA / SA Youth Court (Courts Administration Authority)

Official source

How to apply

1. Department for Child Protection (DCP) assesses the child as being at risk of harm and unable to be adequately protected without court intervention.
2. The Chief Executive or Minister for Child Protection lodges an application with the SA Youth Court for care and protection orders.
3. The application is served on the child's parents or guardians, who are notified of the proceedings.
4. The Court may refer the matter to the Court's Conferencing Unit for a Family Group Conference before finalising orders.
5. All parties (DCP, parents, and the child's separate representative if appointed) attend the Youth Court hearing.
6. The Court considers the paramount consideration of protecting the child from harm and may make orders regarding guardianship, custody, assessment, or other specified actions.
7. Note: The Court does not make access/contact orders — those decisions rest with the DCP Chief Executive.
8. Orders are reviewed and can be varied by the Court; parents may apply to discharge or vary orders as circumstances change.

Related topics

Related forms

• TAS Children's Court — Care and Protection Application (Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997)
• NT Children's Court — Care and Protection Application (Care and Protection of Children Act 2007)
• Divorce Application
• Parenting Orders ApplicationInitiating Application
• Application for Consent OrdersApplication for Consent Orders