Bob Van-Kempen

Presentation for the Protecting All Children Today Conference, Brisbane 25-27 March 2009

The blue card system – enhancing safeguards for children through

partnership and education

Overview of presentation

• Community engagement

• Collaboration

• Risk management strategies

• Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

• Blue card process – facts and figures

• Compliance and monitoring

• Our future focus

The blue card system

Communityengagement

Working with

ChildrenCheck

CollaborationComplianceand

monitoring

Engagement with

Indigenouscommunities

Riskmanagement

strategies

Community engagement

Introduction of the blue card required education and awareness activities throughout the state

• crucial to garner support from the community

• allowed communities to understand obligations

• communities developed a sense of ownership

Collaboration

Strategic partnerships

Example - Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation

• provide up-to-date information to Queensland sport and recreation bodies

• tailored resources

Risk management strategies

All regulated child-related organisations in Queensland are required by law to have a risk management strategy

Purpose is to protect children in child-related service environments from harm by developing and implementing practices and procedures.

Risk management strategies cont.Include:

• appropriate standards of behaviour for interacting with children and young people

• maintaining a blue card register

• suitable recruitment, training and management of staff (in addition to blue card screening)

• appropriate handling of disclosures and suspicions of harm

• involving children and young people in the development of organisation’s processes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

• Commission has recognised strategies to improve access to information and assistance with blue card process

• Misconception within communities that any criminal history automatically excludes from blue card

• Many applicants withdrew when questioned about their criminal backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities cont.Blue card forum – Cairns, September 2008

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities cont.Blue card forum – Cairns, September 2008

Focus on:

• getting information into the community

• ways to positively reinforce the role of the blue card and child protection risk management

• supporting people through the application process

• employee registers for risk management purposes

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities cont.Blue card forum – Cairns, September 2008

Actions:

• Provide additional clear information about the blue card system to various councils

• Visited Doomadgee (October 2008), Mornington Island (November 2008) and Woorabinda (March 2009)

• More visits planned for 2009

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities cont.

Doomadgee, October 2008

• Presentation targeted at council staff

• Followed by one-on-one sessions with commission staff

– Complete applications

– Provide advice about specific case

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities cont.Doomadgee, October 2008

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities cont.Doomadgee, October 2008

Current facts and figuresAs at 28 February 2009:

• 1,244,760 blue cards have been issued

• 1,589 negative notices

• 267 blue cards have been suspended

• 1,313 applicants withdrew their application

That is, over 3000 individuals who can NOT work with children and young people in Queensland

2007-08 Facts and figures

• 242,784 applications and 25,049 authorisations to confirm

• 231,533 positive notices

• 10,218 applications not processed as incomplete

• 444 negative notices

– 24 banned for life

• 148 withdrew applications

• 6 were withdrawn by the Commissioner

Compliance

The Commission works closely with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) to ensure compliance with blue card legislation

• two year validity of blue cards

• requirement to notify Commission of any changes in police information

• regular monitoring of high risk individuals

• respond to complaints

Outcome indicators project

• The Commission wants to develop a series of indicators to measure the effectiveness of the blue card system in protecting children and young people in Queensland from harm while they are engaged with child-related services

• Will involve external stakeholder consultation

• Following consultation a model will be developed and revised

Future focus• Continuing and enhancing state-wide education

and capacity building programs

• Continuing to build partnerships with key peak bodies and government agencies

• Continuing to collaborate with relevant government and community organisations

• Encourage parents and the community to be vigilant and to play a role

• Develop educational resources for children and young people

Commission for Children and Young People

and Child Guardian

Level 17

53 Albert St, Brisbane

Ph: 3247 5525

www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au

Bob.Van-Kempen@ccypcg.qld.gov.au

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