ACCS Story

Family Details

Parent/Guardian(Required)

First Name Last Name

Email(Required)

Have a read through the topics and examples below.

If something feels like it fits your situation, select YES. You can select as many as you like. A space will open up for you to add more detail.

When you’re ready to write, we recommend using a smart phone, so that you can try and use the voice-to-text function, so that you can pour your heart out really easily. Be honest, be detailed, and don’t worry about spelling or grammar. The responses need to be as raw and real as you would be, if you were explaining things to someone you trust, like a close friend, your GP, or a family member who really gets it. The more real and specific your response is, the more helpful it will be.

Once you submit your responses, our team will use what you’ve shared to prepare a draft ACCS support letter for you. You can then review it, tweak anything you like, and pass it on to the person who will be finalising your letter.

Everything you share is handled with strong data security measures designed to keep your information safe. So please don’t hold back. The strength of your application often comes down to how clearly the full picture is explained in the support letters.

1. Large family size leaving children at risk - neglect, emotional injury, physical injury?

Yes

Describe how the number of children in your care limits your capacity to meet each child’s individual needs. Provide examples where a child was emotionally neglected, physically hurt, or missed out on essential care due to you feeling overwhelmed or short on capacity.

2. A child’s temperament or behaviour places them at risk – neglect, physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Explain how your child’s behaviour (such as aggression, running away, or risk-taking) puts them at risk when supervision lapses. Share examples where the behaviour caused harm or came close to it, and explain the risk of future incidents without appropriate support.

3. A child’s medical condition may put their siblings at risk of not receiving adequate care – neglect, physical or emotional injury

Yes

Describe how one child’s medical or therapeutic needs take up so much time and attention that their siblings are left without adequate supervision or emotional connection. Provide examples where siblings were injured, overlooked, or emotionally affected as a result.

4. A child’s medical condition is so complex that the family is unable to provide basic care – neglect, physical or emotional injury

Yes

Describe the complexity of your child’s care needs and how this overwhelms your ability to meet daily requirements. Share examples when care was delayed, missed, or unsafe, and explain the likely impact if this continues.

5. A child’s mental health – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical barrier to provision of basic care

Yes

Share how your child’s emotional state (such as anxiety, depression, trauma or self-harming behaviour) interferes with daily routines and care. Provide real-life examples of emotional distress or risky behaviour, and the consequences of lacking structured childcare support.

6. A child’s developmental stage – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical barrier to provision of basic care

Yes

Explain how your child’s young age or delayed development limits their ability to understand danger, express needs, or follow instructions. Share examples where this has led to emotional or physical harm or created a barrier to adequate care.

7. Parental medical condition creating a barrier to provision of care – neglect, emotional injury, physical injury

Yes

Describe how your physical illness, injury, or medical condition makes it difficult to supervise, engage, or respond to your child. Provide examples of when this affected your child’s care, safety, or emotional wellbeing.

8. Parental stress – neglect, emotional injury

Yes

Share real-life examples of when overwhelming stress compromised your parenting — such as moments of burnout, emotional shutdown, or inconsistency — and how this led to neglect or emotional harm for your child.

9. Parental mental health – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical support to the children

Yes

Describe how depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health conditions limit your ability to provide emotional connection, physical care, or routine. Provide examples of how this has affected your child and what could worsen without support.

10. Parental temperament – neglect, emotional injury

Yes

Reflect on how your emotional reactivity (e.g. anger, frustration, emotional withdrawal) affects your capacity to parent. Using examples, describe how your temperament has led to inconsistent care, emotional injury, or withdrawal of support for your child.

11. Parent’s developmental stage – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical barrier to provision of basic care

Yes

Explain how your own personal development, learning needs, or inexperience impacts your ability to make safe decisions and provide stable care. Offer examples of situations where your child was at risk due to these factors.

12. Young parent, low level of parental education – neglect, emotional or physical injury

Yes

Describe how limited parenting experience or education affects your ability to understand and meet your child’s needs. Share examples where confusion, lack of knowledge, or inexperience resulted in unintentional neglect or harm.

13. Community or neighbourhood setting – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical support to the children

Yes

Outline how your community contributes to risk — such as unsafe public areas, crime, lack of transport, or absence of safe places for children. Describe, using real-life situations, how this limits opportunities and exposes your child to emotional or physical harm.

14. Family environment – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical support to the children

Yes

Describe your home environment and how it may be unpredictable, emotionally unstable, or lacking structure. Share examples where this led to emotional or physical injury or placed your child at risk.

15. Family conflict or violence – neglect, emotional or physical injury

Yes

Share how past or current conflict, including yelling, aggression, or violence, has affected your child. Even if your child wasn’t the target, explain the emotional or physical impact of being exposed to it.

16. Cultural beliefs and values – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical barrier to provision of basic care to the children

Yes

Describe how your cultural or religious beliefs may limit access to services, delay responses to health needs, or create parenting expectations that result in risk. Provide examples of how these beliefs affect your child’s safety or emotional health.

17. Social isolation – reduced safety, emotional, social or physical support to the children

Yes

Explain the absence of a support network — no friends, family or professionals to help during crisis or burnout. Describe how this leaves your child vulnerable and unsupported emotionally or physically.

18. Erratic nature of parental employment impacting parents support, routine and care – neglect, emotional injury, physical injury

Yes

Explain how shift work, inconsistent hours, or job insecurity affects your routines, sleep, and availability. Describe, using examples, how this has created unsafe situations or led to emotional or physical harm due to lack of structure and supervision.

Do you live remote and rural?(Required)

Yes

19. Dangerous water sources on the property – drowning, death

Yes

Describe encounters with large bodies of water sources on the property, which can potentially result in drowning or death. Use real-life examples where possible.

20. Reptiles and large birds – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Describe encounters reptiles and large birds, which can cause stress or even death if encountered. Use real-life examples where possible.

21. Insects and pests – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Describe encounters with ticks, bull ants, wasps, scorpions, spiders or mosquitos. Highlight allergic reactions, bites or severe distress caused by stings or infestations in living or play spaces. Use real-life examples where possible.

22. Roaming livestock – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Share examples of cattle, bulls, pigs or other large animals freely moving near the home. Describe how this has placed your children at risk of trampling, headbutting, or emotional distress, and explain the need for constant supervision, use real-life examples where possible.

23. Working dogs on the property – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Describe how working dogs are not always restrained and may act unpredictably around children. Explain, how your children have been knocked over, bitten or scared, especially if the dog is startled or excited by livestock. Use real-life examples where possible.

24. Predatory wild animals in the area – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Describe regular sightings or known risks involving wild animals like crocodiles, wild boars, kangaroos or dingoes. Outline how this limits safe outdoor play and contributes to emotional distress or physical risk. Use real-life examples where possible.

25. Heavy machinery used around the home – physical injury, death

Yes

Explain how tractors, quad bikes, graders or utes are frequently operated near the house. Describe incidents where your children have approached vehicles, been in blind spots, or played unsafely nearby. Use real-life examples where possible.

26. Agricultural chemicals and poisons – physical injury, death

Yes

Describe where chemicals like pesticides, fuels, or fertilisers are stored or used. Give examples where access was not securely restricted or spills posed immediate risk to your children. Use real-life examples where possible.

27. Tall crop fields near the home – physical injury, death

Yes

Share how your children have become lost or hidden in tall grasses or crop fields near the home. Outline risks of becoming disoriented, bitten, or being accidentally injured by machinery. Use real-life examples where possible.

28. Extreme weather and temperature conditions – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Describe how the harsh outback climate (heatwaves, flooding, hypothermia risk) creates barriers to safe play or sleep. Explain how this impacts your children’s physical safety and emotional wellbeing. Use real-life examples where possible.

29. Hazardous sheds or storage areas – physical or emotional injury, death

Yes

Explain how bales of hay, stacked equipment, or unsecured storage items pose risks of crushing or suffocation. Describe how these areas are difficult to keep child-safe. Use real-life examples where possible.

30. Presence of unfamiliar adults – grooming, emotional abuse, sexual abuse

Yes

Describe how contractors like fencers or shearers may stay on the property without WWCC clearance. Outline risks related to strangers being in close proximity to your children without active supervision.

31. Shared guest facilities nearby – grooming, emotional abuse, sexual abuse

Yes

Explain how your children have access to shared pools, playgrounds or spas used by unknown guests. Describe how this raises the risk of inappropriate contact or unsupervised interactions. Use real-life examples where possible.

32. Non-family adults living on site – grooming, emotional abuse, sexual abuse

Yes

Describe how workers, tenants or others living in separate accommodation on the property are not known or trusted. Explain how this creates a heightened need for vigilance around your children. Use real-life examples where possible.

33. Unpredictable visitors and deliveries – physical injury, death

Yes

Describe how random arrivals (delivery drivers, tradespeople) enter the property without warning. Outline how this increases risks of vehicle accidents or your children being exposed to strangers. Use real-life examples where possible.

What would happen if your family did not receive ACCS?(Required)

Describe why you would not be able to utilise the In Home Care program, and the effect that would have on your family. Explain the risk of future incidents without appropriate support. Use real-life examples where possible..

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