The wellbeing and safety of families and children is a collective job.
As part of the Queensland Child Safety Commission of Inquiry, Queensland Kids Partnership and ARACY have contributed a joint submission that brings a systems-lens and calls for bold, transformational reform.
It brings together voices of lived experience, science and evidence – alongside insights from our team, Management Board, Queensland peaks and advocacy bodies, and partners across the system. For the first time, we’ve drawn on our Intergenerational Stewardship Table – bringing together perspectives across ages.
Listening to First Nations voices has been a clear priority throughout.
Many organisations are contributing important perspectives to this Inquiry – particularly those working closest to children, young people and families. We anticipate the Commission will listen deeply to those voices. Our role is to complement this – widening the lens and connecting across sectors.
QKP/ARACY have focused on key systems issues and proposed an ambitious agenda. We have called for systems stewardship, strong local and regional partnerships, a shift in accountability to results and learning, and a robust vehicle for implementation.
Our submission is grounded in the idea of a Family and Child Wellbeing and Safety System (rather than just a Child Safety System). In simple terms:
– When families have the support they need, children can thrive – and when children thrive, we all do
– The systems we all rely on – health, education, housing, transport and financial supports – shape what’s possible for families
– Government plays a vital role in making sure these systems work well for everyone – especially those with greater needs
– These systems can be redesigned to better support children and families – we need a ‘whole systems approach’ and investment rebalancing and reform
– This starts with listening (including through the Inquiry) – and being accountable to infants, children, young people and families
– Most Queenslanders want the same thing – strong communities and strong families where children can thrive, now and into the future.
Change is possible in Queensland – we have powerful voices of lived experience, world-class evidence, capable workforces, and plenty of imagination and innovation.
The Commission of Inquiry is an important opportunity to bring this together and move forward.
Read the 4-page summary of the submission here
Find out more about the Queensland Child Safety Commission of Inquiry here.
