Our Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing
Our Commitment to Child Safety and Wellbeing
At Common Ground Queensland, we are committed to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments where children and young people are respected, protected and supported to thrive.
We recognise that every child has the right to be safe, to be heard and to be treated with dignity and respect. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, exploitation and any form of harm.
As a provider of supportive housing, we understand that children and young people are part of many of the families and communities we serve. We are committed to embedding child safety and wellbeing into our culture, governance, policies, practices and everyday interactions.
Our Commitment
We demonstrate this commitment by:
- Promoting the safety, wellbeing and participation of children and young people in all aspects of our work.
- Creating environments where children and families feel respected, included and safe to raise concerns.
- Implementing the Queensland Child Safe Standards and meeting our obligations under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024.
- Recruiting, screening and supporting staff, volunteers, directors and contractors who share our commitment to child safety.
- Providing ongoing education and training to ensure our workforce understands its responsibilities to protect children.
- Maintaining clear policies, procedures and reporting processes to identify, respond to and manage concerns about child safety.
- Working collaboratively with families, support services and statutory authorities to promote the safety and wellbeing of children.
- Continuously reviewing and improving our child safeguarding practices to ensure they remain effective and responsive.
We are committed to listening to children and young people and respecting their voices. Their views help shape how we provide safe, accessible and culturally responsive services.
We also recognise the importance of providing culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, LGBTQIA+ children and young people, and children with diverse experiences and identities.
Everyone at Common Ground Queensland including our Board, leadership, employees, volunteers, contractors and partners shares responsibility for protecting children and promoting their safety and wellbeing.
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child in connection with Common Ground Queensland, we encourage you to contact us immediately. We take all concerns seriously and will respond promptly, respectfully and in accordance with our child safeguarding policies and legal obligations.
Reporting a Child Safety Concern
Any person worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person can speak with Common Ground Queensland. We will listen, take the concerns raised seriously, an act to support safety and wellbeing.
Any person who believes a child may be in immediate danger should contact emergency services on 000.
Any person who believes a child is at risk must immediately report the concern.
Reports may be made to:
- a CGQ manager or team leader;
- the CGQ Child Safety Officer (Chief Operations Officer);
- by phone – (07) 3370 8320
- by email – admin@cgq.org.au
- the CGQ CEO (Chief Executive Officer);
- by phone – (07) 3370 8320
- by email – admin@cgq.org.au
- Queensland Police Service;
- Child Safety Services;
- Online – Qld Government Department of Families, Seniors, Disability and Child Safety
- After Hours by Phone – Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135
- other relevant authorities.
All reports will be treated seriously, confidentially and respectfully and managed in accordance with CGQ’s Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy/Procedure and Incident Management and Reporting Procedures.