Medicinal cannabis is the term applied when cannabis is used for therapeutic reasons.
Case practitioner tasks
Intake
- Intake risk assessments and decision making should be informed by the available evidence, as with any other report to Child Protection.
- If the reporter holds concerns that a parent is administering cannabis products to a child without a lawful prescription, or outside what has been prescribed, further information gathering may be required to inform decision making.
- Information gathering follow up may include contact with the GP or registered cannabis provider, to verify the status of the child or young person’s treatment with cannabis.
- If unable to be verified, or if there are indications of misuse of cannabis on a child or young person by a parent or caregiver, a protective intervention report and investigation may be required.
- Update the essential information categories with the relevant information and complete an intake risk assessment.
Investigation
- Carry out the investigation in the same manner as other investigations. See procedures under Investigation policy for tasks that must be undertaken.
Usual procedures regarding undertaking a first home visit, liaison with relevant professionals and the assessment of protective concerns using the available tools and worksheets are to be followed. This will allow the same level of analysis to occur, to establish whether a child is considered to be at a risk of significant harm.
- Children being administered medicinal cannabis are likely to have complex health needs or disabilities, making it more difficult for the practitioner to assess and isolate whether the child is being significantly harmed by the administration of cannabis.
- Seeking information and verification of prescription information (dosage, condition being treated, and products prescribed) with a registered prescriber should occur, as with any other prescribed or controlled drug administered to children and young people.
- It is reasonable to request the parents provide evidence of the child’s prescription and prescriber details, as per any other medication.
- If during an investigation, it is not possible to verify that a child is lawfully prescribed a cannabis product, or there are concerns about how it is being administered by a parent – contact medical professionals for their assessment, and consider seeking a consultation with a Practice Leader or area Principal Practitioner.
The children being administered medicinal cannabis are likely to have complex health needs and significant impairments, making it more difficult for the practitioner to assess and isolate whether the child is being significantly harmed from the administration of cannabis. Given this complexity, child protection practitioners must consult with a state-wide principal practitioner (OPP) to receive support with case assessment and decision making, and contact relevant medical professionals to obtain their assessment and expert advice.
- Consult with the police as necessary.
Child protection practitioners must ensure they follow the police protocol in terms of reporting offences to Victoria Police.
- Update the essential information categories with information and evidence gathered during the investigation.
- Complete the risk assessment and make a substantiation decision
Substantiation
- If the concerns about the use or misuse of cannabis products on a child are substantiated, consult with your team manager and Practice Leader or area Principal Practitioner and the Office of Professional Practice regarding next steps and case planning.
- The case must be moved to protective intervention phase and a case plan is to be prepared.
This decision will be based on a full assessment and analysis of the child and family’s full circumstances and not solely on whether cannabis was administered. Analysis must weigh potential harm against safety.
- Provide ongoing supervision and support.
- Endorse the risk assessment.
- In the event the concerns are substantiated, endorse any action taken.
- Endorse the case plan.
- Provide consultation and advice throughout the life of the case as needed.