Police officers and authorised Families SA workers may remove unaccompanied children from situations in which their safety is reasonably believed to be in serious danger [ Children's Protection Act 1993 ss 15-18]. They must then attempt to return the child home, unless this is not in the child's interests, for example where the child has run away from home to avoid family violence.

A child may also be removed from his or her guardian if it is reasonably believed that the child's safety is in imminent danger and the child is 'at risk' as defined in the Act [ Children's Protection Act 1993 s 6]. The Minister may hold a child in custody until the end of the next working day - at that point the child is either returned home or, if further investigation is required, an investigation and assessment order is sought from the Court.