bob van-kempen presentation for the protecting all children today conference, brisbane 25-27 march...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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
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
Our contact details