Child Safety & Safeguarding Services in Queensland
We help Queensland organisations prevent, comply with, and respond to child safety and safeguarding challenges with expert legal support.
Access Expert Guidance
Legal expertise with up-to-date education allows your organisation to adeptly navigate mandatory reporting obligations.
Flexible Delivery
Comprehensive in-person and online training that suits your organisation’s budget, ensuring hassle-free compliance with mandatory training requirements.
Compliance Assurance
Stay ahead of mandatory reporting requirements with our training programs, guaranteeing that your organisation consistently meets compliance standards.
Your Free Consultation
We invite you to contact Safe Space Legal to book a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your orgainsation's safeguarding needs
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Understanding Your Child Safety Obligations In Queensland
Queensland has comprehensive child safety legislation designed to protect children and young people. Key legislation includes the Child Protection Act 1999 (creating mandatory reporting obligations for harm and sexual abuse), the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (governing Blue Cards), the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland), and the Criminal Code Act 1899 (including failure to protect offences).
Queensland also requires organisations to implement the Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy (CYRMS), which aligns with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. This strategy requires organisations working with children to have written policies, codes of conduct, risk management plans, appropriate screening and training, complaint handling processes, and regular reviews of child safety practices.
Our Child Safety & Safeguarding Services in Queensland
Safe Space Legal offers comprehensive support across three key areas:
Prevention
We help Queensland organisations develop robust child safe systems through CYRMS implementation, policy development, risk assessment, recruitment procedures including Blue Card compliance, and governance support to ensure child safety is embedded throughout your organisation.
Compliance & Training
We provide expert guidance on Queensland’s mandatory reporting requirements and deliver comprehensive training for teachers, early childhood professionals, healthcare workers, school staff, and other mandated professionals. Our training covers recognising harm and sexual abuse indicators, reporting obligations to Child Safety, creating child safe cultures, and responding appropriately to disclosures and concerns.
Response
When child safety concerns emerge, we provide immediate incident response guidance, investigation support, regulatory response assistance including liaison with the Office of the Children’s Guardian, and crisis management to help your organisation respond appropriately, meet legal obligations, and strengthen systems to prevent future incidents.
Queensland Sectors We Support
We work with organisations across all sectors including:
- Aged Care
- Children & Young People
- Disability
- Day Care Centres/Early Childhood
- Schools
- Educational Institutes
- Out of Home/Youth Services
- Religious Organisations
- Sports and Recreation Associations
- Private Therapy and Counselling Practices
- Accommodation or Residential Services
- Child Protection Services
- Commercial Services for Children
- Justice or Detention Services
- Transport Services
- Corporate Workplaces
- Community Organisations
- Health Services
- NDIS Providers
- Government Organisations
Mandatory Reporting in Queensland
Queensland has two categories of mandatory reporting. Doctors, registered nurses, and teachers must report suspected sexual abuse of children. All adults, including school staff members, early childhood education and care professionals, and certain other workers, must report reasonable suspicions of harm (including physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological harm, and neglect). Our training ensures you understand when and how to report to the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs.
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Blue Card (Working with Children Check)
Under Queensland’s Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000, anyone engaged in regulated employment with children requires a valid Blue Card (or exemption card). This includes employees, volunteers, contractors, and students on placement. Organisations must verify Blue Cards before engagement and maintain systems to monitor ongoing validity and respond to suspension or cancellation notices.
We help organisations establish compliant Blue Card systems, understand exemption categories, implement verification procedures, maintain record-keeping requirements, and respond appropriately to negative notices or change in circumstances.
Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy (CYRMS)
Queensland requires regulated entities to develop and implement a Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy. This written strategy must include a commitment statement, risk management plan, codes of conduct, recruitment and screening requirements including Blue Card verification, staff training and development, complaints and incident response procedures, and regular strategy reviews.
We assist Queensland organisations in developing compliant CYRMS documentation, conducting risk assessments, implementing the strategy across all operations, and maintaining ongoing compliance with Office of the Children’s Guardian requirements.
