Implementing the reforms

The Queensland Government and non-government sectors - including peak bodies, service providers and communities - are working in partnership to plan, design and deliver a range of reforms that will collectively build a new child protection and family support system for Queensland.

These reforms implement the 121 recommendations in the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry's final report.

The reform agenda also includes new actions and initiatives to further enhance outcomes for Queensland children, families and communities.

These new actions and initiatives are primarily aimed at:

• addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander over-representation
• strengthening our focus on prevention and early intervention
• supporting and building on domestic and family violence reform.

The key priorities for the reform program during 2016 and 2017, including new actions and initiatives, are outlined in Supporting Families Changing Futures: Advancing Queensland’s child protection and family support reforms (PDF, 519 KB) Supporting Families Changing Futures: Advancing Queensland’s child protection and family support reforms (RTF, 69 KB).

The reforms focus on achieving the following strategic directions.

• Sharing responsibility for children's safety and wellbeing of Queensland children

  Caring for children and keeping them safe will be a shared responsibility. Government, non-government agencies, communities, businesses and industry are working together to deliver the right services families need to raise children who are safe, well, healthy and supported.

• Supporting Queensland families earlier

  Vulnerable families and children will have access to high-quality services at the right time to help them to maintain the family unit. Children and young people will be at the centre of the new system, with supported and supportive parents, families and communities.

• Working better with Queensland families who are in contact with the child protection system

  Child protection practice will be focused on engaging with families earlier and, where appropriate, keeping children safely at home.

• Improving care and post-care for Queensland children and young people

  Where there are no acceptable alternatives, children and young people will be taken into care, and protected and cared for. In care, they will receive the support they need to enjoy their childhood, feel safe and cared for, and develop into adulthood.

• Meeting the needs and requirements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities

  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families will have access to culturally appropriate Indigenous-specific and mainstream services and care.

• Delivering quality services to Queensland children and families through a capable, motivated workforce and client-focused

  Vulnerable children and families will receive quality services from a highly skilled, capable and professional workforce across government and non-government family and child sectors.

• Building an accountable, transparent and cost-effective Queensland system

  Services provided to vulnerable children and families will be high quality and provided in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner.