Child protection services in Queensland can be divided into three service platforms. Primary or universal services, providing for all children and families; secondary services, targeted at families at higher risk or in need of additional support and tertiary services, designed to respond to abuse or neglect in situations where children have been harmed or are in immediate danger of harm. In Queensland, the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Child Safety Services provides statutory child protection services to children. In addition, a range of services are required to respond to the different levels of support needs of the child or young person to provide stable, quality care within a Child Safety Service Framework.
A variety of organisations deliver child protection services in Queensland, ranging from large, statutory government organisations and large national charities to small and medium stand-alone enterprises and non-government organisations. Currently, 83 non-government organisations are funded to deliver 279 services or programs to children, young people and families throughout Queensland.
There are 76 residential services funded with an additional 85 to 90 to come on line very soon. There are between 15 and 20 organisations traversing private and non-government enterprises. Improvements need to be made in relation to the consistency across private and non-government agencies in understanding and implementing child protection services.
For more information view the 2012 Industry Skills and Workforce Development Report - Children Protection summary
