Introduction

• Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women

  The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women is the lead agency for the whole of government response to child protection in Queensland. The Strategic Plan sets out the vision, values, priorities, goals and strategies in relation to children at risk or subject to departmental intervention.

• Relevant legislation

  The Child Protection Act 1999 and Child Protection Regulation 2011 provides the legislative mandate for child protection work undertaken by the department.

• Other key documents

  List of other key documents that guide the work of the department.

• Child safety service centres: staff roles and responsibilities

  The roles and responsibilities of staff at a Child Safety Service Centre (CSSC) contribute to the delivery of high quality child protection services to clients and communities.

• Framework for the participation of children and young people in decision-making

  All children and young people have a right to participate in decision-making about their own life. The Children and Young People's Participation Strategy incorporates a vision and framework for children and young people's participation and a detailed implementation plan.

• Respecting diversity

  The department provides services to children and families who are diverse in many ways. Diversity can be attributable to differences in cultural and linguistic background, gender, lifestyle, sexuality, socio-economic status, family composition, personal beliefs and values.

• Delegations

  Four groups of Statutes (Acts of Parliament), and delegated powers under those Acts, legally regulate the work of the department. The groups of Acts are those relating to: child protection, adoption, the public sector/human resources and financial administration.

• Accountability for children in Queensland

  The department is accountable for the protection of children in Queensland. Should clients, carers, licensed care service staff or other interested persons hold concerns about the decisions or actions of departmental officers, various external accountability mechanisms are available.

• Resources

  Links to resources for use with the practice manual's introduction.