Our approach to compliance
We are the regulator responsible for monitoring and reporting on the operation of the Child Safe Organisations system.
We make sure organisations meet their legal responsibilities to prevent harm to children, which include:
- following the Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle to create safe environments for children
- responding properly to allegations of harm and misconduct through the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
The best outcomes for children and young people occur when organisations understand their responsibilities, have capability to meet them, and are held accountable when risk or harm isn’t dealt with appropriately.
As the regulator, our focus is on working cooperatively with organisations to support their compliance, particularly in the early stages of implementation, as part of a graduated model of regulation. This means we support organisations to understand their obligations and build their capability to comply before we move to enforcement related activities, unless children’s safety is compromised.
Under the Act, we are required to keep and publish registers of enforceable undertakings we receive and compliance notices we issue to organisations that do not comply with the Standards. See our How are the standards regulated webpage to view the registers.
What we can do
We use these regulatory powers in a variety of ways. This includes:
- Raising awareness – through public communication and by publishing guidance material and tools for organisations.
- Building capability – guiding organisations to embed good practice and sharing evidence of what works.
- Monitoring and assessing organisational compliance – including directing organisations to conduct a self-assessment, and monitoring reportable conduct investigations.
- Enforcing compliance where there are breaches or risks to children’s safety – by issuing compliance notices, taking over reportable conduct investigations, or reporting organisations to a sector regulator.
- Sharing intelligence proactively to protect children from risk – including with Blue Card services, Queensland and Australian Federal Police, and other regulators.
What we can’t do
The Child Safe Organisations system isn’t retrospective, which means we can’t use any of our powers in relation to historical conduct or allegations, or situations which arose before the commencement of an organisation’s legal requirements under the system.
We can’t investigate matters relating to individual cases managed by the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. These matters need to be reported through the Department’s complaints process.
If you believe your child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, call emergency services on triple zero – 000.
If you suspect a child in Queensland is experiencing harm or neglect, please contact the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety.
Our regulatory approach
This plan outlines our approach to our regulatory functions and powers under the Act.
It sets out how we raise awareness, build capability and, where necessary, use our powers to ensure compliance in a proportionate, risk-based and transparent way.
