Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services

“Kids need you. They need a safe place. They need a bit of love in their life.” Uncle Allan and Cheryl have been foster carers for decades. They’re passionate about providing care to Aboriginal children to ensure they grow up in culture and they say they’re lucky enough to remain in contact with a lot of the kids they fostered who are now grown. Uncle Allan even walked two of his foster children down the aisle. 🤵👰 It doesn’t matter what age you are, Cheryl says. “It’s a journey and I’m not ready to retire yet.” We need more foster carers, like you. Visit www.qld.gov.au/fostercare to discover Uncle Allan and Cheryl’s story and to find out more about becoming a foster carer. [Image description: A transcript of the video is available at https://lnkd.in/gkeyiMXw]

The Queensland Child Protection Week Awards, held last Thursday 29 August, acknowledge and celebrate the dedication of all those who work tirelessly to keep vulnerable children and young people safe. We were thrilled to learn our department received awards in 3 award categories: 1. Professional Government – awarded to Tara, Placement and Support Services Manager. Tara’s commitment, creativity and advocacy in transitioning children under 12 years old from residential care to family-based care and onwards to reunification with their families, where possible, has resulted in positive outcomes for all children involved. 2. Education Initiative – awarded to Julia, Child Safety Officer. Julia is a proud Aboriginal woman and single mother of 2 and has both lived and professional experience in the foster care and social work system. Julia has a degree in Human Services and is completing her post graduate studies in Neuroscience and Mental Health. Recognising a gap in children’s resources, Julia wrote 2 books ‘My body, my choice’ and ‘No is a complete sentence’ to help parents educate their children about body autonomy and identifying safe adults. 3. Our Children Our Future Initiative – awarded for our partnerships with Refocus and Central Queensland Indigenous Development for the delegation of authority in matters relating to First Nations children and families. Our staff worked closely with these Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to co-design processes to enable the voices of First Nations children and families on their reflections of healing and self-determination, to be heard. To learn more about our extraordinary 2024 award winners, go to https://lnkd.in/gnDFQz-Q [Image description: photo shows the 2024 award winners]

All children and young people in care have a right to be heard and listened to. We want to hear what children and young people in care aged 5–18 have to say about their life in care. Our My life in care survey asks questions about Queensland’s care system, including their placement, how the education and health systems are supporting them, and different aspects of their life, such as their family and social relationships. Their responses to the survey questions will help us understand which parts of the system are working well and what needs to change to improve life in care for all children and young people. Last year, more than 900 young people participated in the survey. We’re calling on our partners – our foster and kinship carers and our child and family service providers – to encourage eligible young people in care to participate in our survey. Eligible young people aged 10–18 years will receive a post card and a notification through their kicbox account about how to access and participate in the survey. Children aged 5–9 years will be supported to participate in the survey by our Child Safety Officers and Community Visitors during home visits. The online survey is open from 2 September to 30 November, giving them lots of time to complete. Children and young people will receive a gift card as a thank you for completing the survey. For more information, go to https://lnkd.in/gfbY2Akk [Image description: Image shows a bunch of emojis inside a speech bubble on an orange background with the title 'Hey! What's on your mind? My life in care survey']

We all know carers make significant contributions to the people they care for and to their community. By recognising, supporting and providing opportunities for carers, we can work toward a Queensland that provides them with equity, access and participation. Recently we launched the Carers Action Plan 2024–26, giving Queensland’s more than 642,000 carers greater recognition. The Carers Action Plan recognises the significant disability reform agenda and development of the National Carer Strategy, and the importance of this work for Queensland carers. The Queensland Carers Advisory Council has identified 4 priority areas for the Carers Action Plan to advance the interests of carers in these important reform processes: Priority area 1: Advise on and advocate for systemic change for carers Priority area 2: Advise on and advocate for recognition for carers Priority area 3: Advise on and advocate for services for carers Priority area 4: Maximise the impact and effectiveness of the Queensland Carers Advisory Council. To find out more about the action plan, visit: https://lnkd.in/gGKWvbk3 [Image description: An image showing a boy with disability being supported by a lady. They are both smiling widely.]

Last Friday night, we recognised the individuals and organisations who have made invaluable contributions to their communities at the 2024 Multicultural Queensland Awards! The night was filled with lively celebration of our state's rich cultural diversity as we honoured the efforts of Queenslanders working tirelessly to foster inclusivity. Congratulations to this year's incredible award recipients: 🏆 Outstanding Contribution by a New Queenslander - Ms Lei Hua 🏆 Diversity and Inclusion Champion (Individual) - Mrs Rachel Carter 🏆 Diversity and Inclusion Champion (Organisation) - Aitkenvale State School 🏆 Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever (Individual) - Dr Zakaria Amin 🏆 Multicultural Sector Outstanding Achiever (Organisation) - Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland's Women's Ethnic Network 🏆 Lifetime Achiever - Ms Donata Sackey 🏆 Minister's Multicultural Award - Ms Sara Shams We would also like to congratulate those who were highly commended – The Neighbourhood Hub, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Habib Jamal and Farzina William. 👏 Thank you everyone who celebrated this important event with us. For more information about #MQA24 and to learn more about our brilliant award winners, visit https://bit.ly/471MXFx Friday also saw the unveiling of the Queensland Multicultural Action Plan 2024-25 to 2026-27. It is the fourth Multicultural Action Plan released since 2016 and aligns with the Queensland Government's broader Multicultural Policy, "Our Story, Our Future," which is focused on creating a truly inclusive and harmonious state. The Action Plan includes 105 actions being delivered by 31 agencies across four focus areas: ▪️ Deliver culturally responsive services ▪️ Drive diversity and inclusion across the public sector ▪️ Strengthen our economy ▪️ Promote social cohesion. With an emphasis on shared measures and high-impact actions, this plan will accelerate progress towards the Queensland Government's vision of becoming a leader in cultural diversity by 2032. To learn more and to read the action plan, visit: https://bit.ly/3AG2XRz Image description in comments. #MQM24 #MulticulturalQld #MulticulturalQueensland #QldGov

Next week is National Child Protection Week (1 - 7 September) and @NAPCAN is calling all Australians to start a new conversation. The theme “Every Conversation Matters” highlights the importance of fostering dialogue in addressing child abuse and neglect. Talking with children and young people is important for their development, and everyone can play a part. NAPCAN is running a series of free webinars to empower communities to have conversations about children’s safety and wellbeing. These webinars are just one of the ways you can get involved. Together, we can inspire action and create a safer environment for all children. To register for a webinar or for more information: https://lnkd.in/gVR-QQrY [Image description: Image shows speech bubbles with the words ‘let’s talk’ and ‘you’re not alone’ against a grey background and the heading ‘every conversations matters’; National Child Protection Week 1-7 September]

We all want Queensland to be an age-friendly state that embraces older people and recognises the enormous value they contribute to our families, neighbourhoods and wider communities. A state where older people live active, healthy and productive lives. At the recent Caloundra Seniors Expo we launched An Age-friendly Queensland: The Queensland Seniors Strategy, a five year vision for a Queensland where older people are: - connected to their communities and the people and services that matter to them, - cared for and supported by world class frontline services when needed, and - celebrated for the significant contribution they make to our economy and our society. The Strategy reflects the views of more than 16,000 older Queenslanders—from the south-east corner through to western Queensland and the Torres Strait—who told us what they want, and what they value and what they need. The Strategy’s inaugural Action Plan includes whole-of-government delivery and investment for seniors including significant cost-of-living supports, strengthening community safety as well as safety in the home and investing in services to prevent and respond to abuse of older people and social isolation. Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/gKHBJv4Y

Australian Institute of Family Studies and NAPCAN will present a free webinar on 4 September exploring the experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children in out-of-home care. This webinar will support: ➡️ Understanding and identification of some of the cultural and social needs of CALD children in care. ➡️ Understanding of the value of cultural connections for CALD children and families and the benefits these connections can have for emotional wellbeing. ➡️ Insight into supporting the cultural and social needs of CALD children in care. The webinar, held during National Child Protection Week, will interest practitioners working in child and family services, child protection, family law, parenting and relationship services, health and education. Supporting cultural needs: Working with culturally and linguistically diverse children in out-of-home care Date: Wednesday 4 September Time: 2-3pm (AEST) More information https://lnkd.in/g-XyzTHy Image description Three children smile with their arms around each other. The girl on the left has black hair tied back with a white headband and wears a green shirt and earrings, she appears to be laughing. The boy in the middle has short, blonde hair and wears a cobalt blue shirt and is smiling. The girl to the right wears her long black hair loose and wears a green shirt and jeans, she smiles broadly. The children are from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Disability Action Week 2024 is on from 24 November to 1 December. This year’s theme is ‘Accessible communication: connect, include and empower’. We want everyone to start a conversation about communication to help make our state more accessible and inclusive. For more information about accessible communication, tips to plan Disability Action Week events and promotional resources, visit www.qld.gov.au/daw [Image description: An illustration of a smiling young woman with long, brown hair. She is surrounded by symbols that represent different ways people communicate. The text at the top reads: ‘Accessible communication: connect, include and empower’.]

Celebrate Multicultural Queensland Month with us at the Ekka! 🌺 Discover the history and culture of Australian South Sea Islanders and learn about their contribution to Queensland's agricultural history. 🐦Contribute to #MQM24 Unity Wall by crafting an origami rosella as a gesture of welcome. 🎵 Get your groove on at the Multicultural Plaza Music Stage, with live music happening all throughout the day! You'll find us located inside the Royal International Convention Centre and Gourmet Plaza. We can't wait to see you there! While you’re there, pop by the Queensland Government precinct to visit our Queensland Seniors and Disability Services team. They’ve rolled up to chat with Queenslanders about: 💲 the range of concessions, rebates and support services available to seniors and carers ♿ how Queensland’s Disability Plan 2022-27: Together, a better Queensland, is driving positive change for people with disability. #MQM24 #MulticulturalQld Image description Image 1 – a DCSSDS team member in a Multicultural Queensland Month polo shirt speaks to three visitors about the Australian South Sea Islanders display. All have their back to camera and face the large wall display, which features various stories and images detailing the history and recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders. A large anchor can be seen in the foreground. Image 2 – three female DCSSDS team members stand at the entrance to the Queensland Seniors and Disability Services stand. Each wears a black shirt and lanyard. The stand features a pink border, with panels displaying information under the titles Building an inclusive Queensland and Supporting seniors and carers with the cost of living.