Ensuring a safe environment for all children and other vulnerable people is a collective goal across the community, motivated by the urgent need to respond to the concerns and deficiencies raised by concurrent state and federal inquiries regarding the handling of child abuse. The introduction of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, state-level Child Safe Standards and related reforms have been significant priorities for care organisations who provide valuable services to the community.
We’ve remained close to the continuing implementation of consistent Child Safe standards across all states and territories. In step with these developments, we continue to build and and update self-assessments and resources to help organisations understand and track their compliance obligations, and develop consistent practices and procedures to safeguard children and vulnerable people in their care. Below is an update on recent developments.
Queensland Child Safe Standards
Last year, the Queensland Government introduced the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 in order to strengthen the safety of children within Queensland.
The Act introduced Queensland’s implementation of the Child Safe Standards, which include ten standards that are based on the National Principles, together with an overarching requirement to provide an environment which promotes the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at all stages of implementing the Child Safe Standards (the “Universal Principle”).
The Act also introduced a Reportable Conduct Scheme which requires organisations to implement systems to investigate and report allegations of harm against children. The Scheme largely aligns with similar schemes operating in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania, and requires subject organisations to comply with certain requirements and timeframes related to the reporting and investigation of child safety concerns.
Regulatory oversight by the Queensland Family & Child Commission (QFCC) for the Child Safe Standards will commence from 1 October 2025 for certain organisations including services for children with a disability, with additional organisations becoming subject to the scheme in early 2026. The Reportable Conduct Scheme will commence for the first cohort of subject organisation on 1 July 2026. More information regarding the timeline for implementation can be found on the QFCC website.
Queensland Child Safe Standards Self-Assessment
In December 2024 we released our self-assessment to help organisations understand and track their compliance with the requirements of the Queensland Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. The self-assessment was developed based upon best-practice considerations drawn from the National Principles, and Child Safe Standards implemented in other states.
The QFCC is currently developing additional guidance material related to the Child Safe Standards. We are following this process closely.
Reportable Conduct Scheme Modules
We’ve recently added modules to our Child Safe self-assessments for NSW, Tasmania and Victoria to help organisations understand the core requirements of each state’s Reportable Conduct Scheme. Each state’s RCS is different, so for providers operating in multiple states these modules will help them understand the similarities and differences.
Supporting Cultural Safety & the Universal Principle
The National Principles and state Child Safe schemes have reiterated the importance of providing a culturally safe environment for all children, and the need to protect the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. We have taken special effort to incorporate best practice considerations into our self-assessments and resources.
- Tasmania and Queensland introduced the concept of the “Universal Principle” which must be considered within each child safe standard.
- Victoria has an additional standard which includes considerations for cultural safety.
- NSW includes clear considerations for cultural safety in Standard 4: “Equity is upheld and diversity is taken into account”, which is also relevant to the National Principles.
Updating our Child-Safe Resources
We’ve recently reviewed and updated our Policy: Child Safe, based on insights gained from child-safe schemes and guidance material implemented in each state.
We’ve added additional detail in these areas:
- Defining clear and actionable responsibilities for organisational personnel;
- Additional focus on addressing child safety as a regular part of risk management;
- Greatly expanding considerations for reporting, investigating and responding to incidents of harm and abuse; and
- Additional language related to recognising diversity and ensuring the cultural safety of children.
We’ve also applied these principles to smaller revisions to our Template: Statement of Commitment to the Safety and Wellbeing of children.
In addition, we’ve incorporated these elements into our Policy: Safeguarding, which addresses risk and supports the safety of all vulnerable people. We are continuously reviewing our resources to ensure that they incorporate best practice.
You can access these resources in the Reading Room by logging into your SPP account.
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