Bob Van-Kempen Presentation for the Protecting All Children Today Conference, Brisbane 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 Community engagement Working with Children Check Collaboration Compliance and monitoring Engagement with Indigenous communities Risk management 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 figures As 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

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 Albert St, Brisbane Ph: Our contact details