S a f e t y f o r C h i l d r e n

Blue CardsSafety for Children (Blue Card Screening and Risk Management)

Presentation for Rural Fire Service volunteers

What is the blue card system?

Queensland government's blue card system:

• is a key prevention and monitoring system of people

working with children in Queensland.

• aims to minimise the risks of harm to children by

contributing to the creation of safe and supportive

environments.

• is founded on the principle that all children have a

fundamental right to be protected from harm.

This is achieved through:

• Blue Card Screening - past is risk managed though

initial assessment, which determines a person’s

eligibility to work with children, based on known police

information.

• Ongoing Monitoring - present is risk continuously

managed through police information of all blue card

holders, so any changes are actioned appropriately.

• Risk Management - future is risk managed through the

implementation and annual review of child risk

management strategies.

Why does it relate to us?

- Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000

- Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990

- Queensland government No Card, No Start policy

• Persons who engage in regulatedemployment under the WCA are required tohold blue cards.

• Regulated employment is defined in theWCA as employment where the usualfunctions of the employment include, or arelikely to include, a person providing a:

health service to a child [other than at ahealth facility] that, by its nature, requiresphysical contact with the child or where theperson is physically present with the childwhile no-one else is present; or

support service to a child (whetherphysically present with the child or not).

• Health service is defined in the WCA as aservice for maintaining, improving, restoringor caring for a person’s health or wellbeing.

• The usual functions of rural fire brigadevolunteer therefore includes providing ahealth service and/or support service tochildren, and

• That employment is therefore regulatedemployment under the WCA

1.Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (“WCA”)

2. Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 (“FESA”) 3. Meaning

• The functions of a rural fire brigade are:

(1) are fire fighting and fire prevention andsuch other functions as thecommissioner may direct.

(2) The commissioner must notify a ruralfire brigade of the area for which andthe circumstances in which the brigadeis in charge of fire fighting and fireprevention.

(3) In this section—

fire prevention includes taking measuresin readiness for fire so as to reducepotential danger to persons, property orthe environment.

[Section 82 of the FESA]

Who needs a blue card?- Stage 1 Risk assessment (required and not required)

- Stage 2 Continual risk assessment of all QFES roles against the legislative requirements

Stage 1: Roles required to hold a blue card

QFESOver 30,000 staff and

volunteers across the Fire & Rescue Service, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, and QFES (Public

Service)

Rural Fire ServiceRFS have identified

approximately 22,023 volunteers require a

blue card

All RFS volunteers

Excluding Primary Producer Brigade volunteers and Fire

Wardens in Stage 1

What happens next?

Communication

Early June 2019

Release of Message from Commissioner

Release of Gateway page (forms, FAQs)

Early July 2019

Packs mailed by Australia Post to every individual who

requires a blue card (includes Reply Paid envelope)

Policy & Procedure

Mid-late June 2019

Release of strategy, policy, procedures

Other support mechanisms

Recruitment and membership processes updated

Stage 1 Application Period

June - December 2019

Complete and submit form as soon as possible

Monitoring role by Region and Managers to ensure all volunteers are aware of the requirements and complete

their application forms

How to apply

Disqualifying offences?

- New application?

- Already have a blue card?

- Forms pre-filled with QFES/RFS details

1.Select, Fill-in &

Sign Form

- Must not have a disqualifying offence.- Complete all personal details.

- Must include employee or volunteer number.

- Provide 2 forms of identification.

2.Form Signed by Brigade or QFES

Colleague

- Can be a brigade or QFES colleague.- Must sight 2 forms of identification.

- Ensure applicant is aware of the disqualifying offences.

- Sign and date form with applicant present.

3.Submit Completed

Form

- In Person to Level 1 Block B, Kedron

- Scan and email to QFES.Bluecard@qfes.qld.gov.au

- By post to QFES Blue Card Hub, GPO Box 1425, Brisbane QLD 4001

If unsure of eligibility call Blue Card Services on immediately 1800 113 611 for advice and guidance.

QFES Processes to Blue Card Services

- QFES will send an email receipt for your application.

- Check and register your application.

- If not competed, your application will be returned.

Blue Card Outcome

- Blue Card Services will contact you by email advising of your Blue Card

outcome.

- Your will then receive mailed correspondence from Blue Card Services

with your Blue Card contained.

- Renewal every 3 years.

Blue Card Check Performed by Blue Card

Services

- If there is something in your history, Blue Card Services will contact you for more

information.

Thank youBlue card presentation for Rural Fire Service volunteers

for more information:

Email QFES.Bluecard@qfes.qld.gov.au Visit Gateway https://qfes.sharepoint.com/sites/gateway/psba/hr-consultancy/blue-card/Pages/default.aspxor wait for Australia Post package (estimated delivery 2 week of July2019)

Human Capital Management Directorate Queensland Fire and Emergency Services GPO Box 1425 Brisbane QLD 4001