With approximately 8234 children currently in the child protection system, the broadest ever review of Queensland’s child protection system has been ordered, with a 10 month commission of inquiry into child safety.
Headed by former Family Court Judge, Tim Carmody, the inquiry promises not to be held ‘behind closed doors’. The proactive and collaborative approach is most definitely a welcome one that will see parents, children, carers, peak bodies and service providers like ourselves, putting recommendations forward.
What we hope will emerge will be a road map to a more effective, efficient and supportive child protection system for Queensland.
The terms of reference ask the Commissioner to make full and careful inquiry in an open independent manner of Queensland’s child protection system, including in relation to:
- the implementation of recommendations by the Forde Inquiry and the Crime and Misconduct Commission reports into child abuse
- whether the current use of available resources across the child protection system is adequate and whether resources could be used more efficiently
- the current Queensland government response to children and families in the child protection system
- the transition of children through, and exiting the child protection system
- the effectiveness of monitoring, investigation, oversight and complaint mechanisms and ways to improve the oversight of and public confidence in the child protection system, and
- the adequacy of any government response and action taken by government to allegations of child sexual abuse in youth detention centres.
The Commissioner has been asked to include recommendations in his report on issues including:
- any reforms to ensure that Queensland’s child protection system achieves the best possible outcomes to protect children and support families
- strategies to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system, and
- legislative reforms.
Foundations Care is committed to contributing to the important work of the Child Protection Inquiry and over the coming months will be formulating a submission paper to ensure the voices of our carers, foster children and staff are heard.
With Premier Campbell Newman quoted as saying he wanted to get behind the stats to the human stories, we thought this the perfect opportunity to gather any stories you may wish to share with us in order to strengthen our submission.
Please email your stories to emasterton@csgroup.org.au
For more information about the Inquiry please visit www.childprotectioninquiry.qld.gov.au