Our Policies

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Common Ground Queensland (CGQ) is committed to providing environments where children and young people are safe, respected, valued, heard and protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.

This Policy establishes CGQ’s commitment to child safety and wellbeing and outlines how CGQ implements the Child Safe Standards under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld).

CGQ recognises that every child has the right to:

  • be safe and protected from harm;
  • be treated with dignity and respect;
  • participate in decisions affecting them;
  • have their cultural identity respected;
  • have their views heard and taken seriously;
  • access services free from discrimination, abuse and exploitation.

Child safety is everyone’s responsibility.

1. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All tenants, their children and visitors of Common Ground Queensland supportive housing properties.
  • All staff (employees and volunteers[1]), directors, contractors, partners[2] and associates[3] within Common Ground Queensland or engaged by Common Ground Queensland.

This Policy applies across all CGQ services, programs, activities, events, online environments and premises.

2. Policy Statement

CGQ has zero tolerance for:

  • child abuse;
  • child sexual abuse;
  • grooming;
  • neglect;
  • exploitation;
  • violence against children;
  • emotional or psychological abuse;
  • discrimination affecting children’s safety and wellbeing.

 

CGQ is committed to creating and maintaining child-safe environments by:

  • placing the best interests of children first;
  • embedding child safety in leadership, governance and culture;
  • actively listening to children and young people;
  • identifying and managing risks to children;
  • recruiting and supporting suitable workers;
  • responding effectively to concerns and allegations;
  • continuously improving child safety practices.

3. Guiding Principles

CGQ will:

Child-Centred Approach

Place the rights, safety and wellbeing of children at the centre of decision-making.

Best Interests of the Child

Give primary consideration to the best interests of children in all decisions affecting them.

Participation

Support children to express their views and participate in decisions affecting them.

Cultural Safety

Promote environments that are culturally safe, inclusive and respectful.

Accountability

Ensure leaders, workers and volunteers are accountable for child safety.

Continuous Improvement

Regularly review child safety practices and seek opportunities for improvement.

4. Definitions

Child/Children

A person or persons under the age of 18 years.

Child Safety

Actions taken to prevent, identify and respond to abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm involving children.

Child Abuse

Includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, grooming and exploitation.

Child Safe Standards

The standards established under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) that promote the safety and wellbeing of children.

5. Commitment to the Queensland Child Safe Standards

Standard 1 – Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture

CGQ will:

  • maintain Board oversight of child safety;
  • establish clear child safety responsibilities;
  • promote a culture where child safety is everyone’s responsibility;
  • regularly review child safety performance.

Standard 2 – Children are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

CGQ will:

  • provide information to children in age-appropriate formats;
  • encourage participation and feedback;
  • listen to children and respond respectfully;
  • consider children’s views in service planning and delivery.

Standard 3 – Families and communities are informed and involved

CGQ will:

  • communicate child safety commitments to families;
  • provide accessible information about complaints processes;
  • engage families in supporting child safety;
  • collaborate with community stakeholders.

Standard 4 – Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected

CGQ will:

  • provide inclusive services;
  • promote accessibility;
  • respond to individual needs;
  • eliminate barriers to participation.

CGQ recognises the additional vulnerabilities experienced by some children and will take steps to ensure their safety and inclusion.

Standard 5 – People working with children are suitable and supported

CGQ will:

  • undertake screening and recruitment processes;
  • comply with Blue Card requirements;
  • conduct referee and identity checks;
  • provide induction and training;
  • monitor ongoing suitability.

Standard 6 – Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child-focused

CGQ will:

  • maintain accessible complaints processes;
  • support children to make complaints;
  • respond promptly and appropriately;
  • ensure concerns are investigated and addressed.

Standard 7 – Staff and volunteers are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness

CGQ will:

  • provide child safety induction training;
  • provide ongoing professional development;
  • ensure workers understand reporting obligations;
  • support leaders to manage child safety risks.

Standard 8 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing

CGQ will:

  • identify and manage risks in physical environments;
  • monitor online interactions;
  • implement safe technology practices;
  • assess child safety risks associated with activities and events.

Standard 9 – Implementation of child safe practices is regularly reviewed

CGQ will:

  • conduct regular reviews and audits;
  • monitor child safety incidents and trends;
  • seek feedback from children and families;
  • improve systems and practices.

Standard 10 – Policies and procedures document how the organisation is child safe

CGQ will maintain and review:

  • Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy;
  • Child Safe Code of Conduct Policy;
  • Conflict of Interest Policy;
  • Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy and Procedure;
  • Recruitment and Screening Procedures;
  • Complaints Management Procedure;
  • Incident Management Procedure;
  • Risk Management Framework;
  • Training and Induction Framework.

6. Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children

CGQ recognises the importance of cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

CGQ will:

  • acknowledge and respect First Nations cultures;
  • support children’s connection to family, community and Country;
  • challenge racism and discrimination;
  • promote culturally safe service delivery;
  • engage respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

7. Commitment to Children from Diverse Backgrounds

CGQ is committed to ensuring safety and inclusion for:

  • children with disability;
  • children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds;
  • children experiencing homelessness;
  • children in care arrangements;
  • LGBTQIA+ children and young people;
  • children experiencing trauma.

CGQ will ensure services are accessible, inclusive and respectful.

8. Child Safe Code of Conduct

All workers must:

  1. treat children with dignity and respect;
  2. act as positive role models;
  3. maintain professional boundaries;
  4. listen to children and take concerns seriously;
  5. report concerns immediately;
  6. comply with all child safety policies.

Workers must not:

  • engage in inappropriate physical contact;
  • develop inappropriate relationships with children;
  • communicate with children through unauthorised channels;
  • use degrading, discriminatory or abusive language;
  • engage in grooming behaviour;
  • expose children to harmful content or environments.

9. Reporting Child Safety Concerns

Any person worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person can speak with CGQ. 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;
  • other relevant authorities.

All reports will be treated seriously and managed in accordance with CGQ’s Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy/Procedure and Incident Management and Reporting Procedures.

10. Risk Management

CGQ will implement child safety risk management processes that:

  • identify child safety hazards;
  • assess risks;
  • implement controls;
  • monitor effectiveness;
  • review incidents and near misses.

Child safety risks will be considered in:

  • service delivery;
  • community events;
  • volunteer programs;
  • facilities management;
  • online platforms;
  • procurement and partnerships.

11. Training and Awareness

All workers will receive child safety training that includes:

  • child safe standards;
  • recognising abuse and neglect;
  • reporting obligations;
  • professional boundaries;
  • responding to disclosures;
  • cultural safety.

Training will be refreshed regularly.

12. Document Retention

All relevant documentation (including employment records, incident and investigation reports, incident-related correspondence and copies of public liability insurance policies) will be securely retained for a minimum of 50 years to ensure documents are available in the event of an allegation of abuse arising.

Related Documents

This policy will be actively implemented by adherence to the following procedures and documents:

  • Child Supervision Guidelines
  • Code of Conduct Policy (Governance System)
  • Concierge Manual
  • Employee Induction Procedure
  • Recruitment and Employment Policy/Procedure
  • Employee Supervision Support and Development Training Policy/Procedure
  • Ending a Tenancy Procedure
  • General Compliments, Complaints and Appeals Procedure
  • Incident Management and Reporting Procedure
  • Privacy and Confidentiality Procedure
  • Professional Conduct and Boundaries Policy
  • Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy/Procedure
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • Starting a Tenancy Procedure
  • Strengthening New Tenancies Procedure
  • Sustaining Tenancies Procedure
  • Tenancy Management (Residential) Procedure
  • Tenant Compliments, Complaints, Appeals and Feedback Procedure
  • Tenant Transfer Procedure
  • Uniform and Dress Code Procedure
  • Visitor Procedure
  • Data Retention and Destruction Policy

[1] Includes students and interns.                                                                

[2] Partners refers to agencies that Common Ground Queensland has an official arrangement with via signed MOU, Partnership Agreement or Contract to implement or deliver Common Ground Queensland programs, projects and initiatives.

[3] Associates refers to consultants, suppliers, visitors to our programs (including media), advisory group members, supporters and any other individuals or groups that have been brought into contact with children or vulnerable adults (including their personal information and images) while working with and/or supporting Common Ground Queensland.

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Acknowledgement of Country

Common Ground Queensland acknowledges the Turrbal and Jagera/Yuggera peoples as the Owners and Custodians of the land and waters we live and work upon.
 
We recognise and respect the historic and continued connection to land and water including the deep spiritual connection and relationship that First Nations people have to Country.
 
We recognise sovereignty was never ceded.
 
Common Ground Queensland acknowledges the ongoing impacts of colonisation on First Nations people and is committed to working in partnership with First Nations people to address the impacts of colonisation.