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.
Our Services
Child Safety Policies
Developing child safety policies, procedures, codes of conduct, and complaints handling processes
Child Safety Investigations
Child safety investigations compliant with Reportable Conduct Schemes
Audits
Audits against Child Safety Standards with practical safeguarding advice
Child Safety Training
Tailored child safety training, including training compliant with the child safe standards and Ministerial Order 1359
Legal Advice
Expert safeguarding legal advice and representation for Early Childhood and Day Care Centres
Incident Management
Root cause analyses of critical child safety incidents and assistance with crisis management
Contact Information
Take the first step and schedule your free 30-minute consultation. We cater to organisations across Australia, providing in-person and online assistance tailored to your requirements. Get in touch today to learn more about how to get started with our Mandatory Reporting Training module.
Contact us
office@safespacelegal.com.au
We're here to help
Get started on strengthening your organisation's compliance and increasing your team's skills and knowledge with our Mandatory Reporting Training. Safe Space Legal invites you to connect with our team for a complimentary 30-minute consultation to discuss how our training can meet your organisation's needs.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions about Our Victorian Child Safety and Safeguarding Services
A CYRMS is a written strategy that organisations working with children in Queensland must develop and implement. It outlines how your organisation will manage risks to children’s safety and wellbeing, including policies, procedures, risk assessments, recruitment practices, training, and complaint handling. All regulated entities must have an approved CYRMS.
Queensland has two mandatory reporting categories: (1) doctors, registered nurses, and teachers must report suspected sexual abuse, and (2) all adults must report reasonable suspicions of significant harm to children. School staff and early childhood professionals have specific reporting obligations under their professional standards and sector regulations
A Blue Card is Queensland’s Working with Children Check. Anyone engaged in regulated employment or carrying on a regulated business with children needs a Blue Card (paid work) or exemption card (volunteers in certain circumstances). This includes employees, volunteers, contractors, and students working with children in education, childcare, health, sport, recreation, and many other sectors
Mandatory reporters who fail to report when required can face criminal penalties. The failure to protect offence under section 229BC of the Criminal Code carries serious penalties for adults in positions of authority who fail to protect children from sexual abuse. Organisations may face regulatory action, loss of funding or registration, and significant reputational damage.
The CYRMS requires ongoing training and development for staff and volunteers. Best practice suggests annual refresher training for all personnel working with children. Mandatory reporters should receive comprehensive initial training and regular updates. New staff should receive child safety training during induction, and training should be updated when legislation, policies, or your CYRMS changes