Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC)

On this day 17 years ago, the United Nation’s General Assembly adopted the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). At its heart, it is the acknowledgment that First Nations peoples should have the freedom and power to make the decisions that affect their lives, communities and Country. Today the Declaration is the most comprehensive international instrument on the rights of Indigenous Peoples. It establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples of the world and it elaborates on existing human rights standards and fundamental freedoms as they apply to the specific situation of Indigenous Peoples. For more information visit: https://ow.ly/K36c50Tmy26 #QFCC #UNDRIP

Sepsis remains the leading cause of preventable death among children in Queensland. Despite the decline in childhood sepsis rates due to effective public health campaigns, the mortality rate remains alarmingly high. The Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Study highlights that nearly 30% of paediatric sepsis-related deaths occur unexpectedly at home or in the community. This joint study with Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service provides insights into the occurrence of sepsis and the opportunities before us to better identify it and keep Queensland children healthy. This study revealed several key opportunities of improvement, including: 1️⃣improving death certification processes to record sepsis and related information as causing or contributing to the death 2️⃣implementing culturally appropriate health campaigns to increase parental and professional awareness of sepsis and its symptoms 3️⃣involving a paediatric healthcare professional in coronial investigations of unexpected infection-related child deaths to improve recording of a child’s clinical history. 📺Listen to Dr Rebecca Shipstone and Dr Paula Lister discuss their findings and recommendations: https://ow.ly/F4Fm50Th2o0 🔗Learn more: https://ow.ly/pgMn50Th2o3 #QFCC #WorldSepsisDay

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss is kicking off a Listening Tour to shape her agenda for the next 5 years that addresses the most urgent issues facing First Nations peoples. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, caregivers, and community to participate in this important process by: ⭐Attending upcoming community consultations ⭐Making a policy submission ⭐Completing the survey and sharing your experiences 🔗Get involved: https://lnkd.in/e8EeEu4Z Don't miss out! The survey closes on September 23rd, 2024. #QFCC

Today is an excellent day for Queensland children and families.   Queensland Parliament today passed the Child Safe Organisations Bill 2024 and amendments to the Blue Card scheme, marking a significant moment for child safety in Queensland.   The Child Safe Organisations Bill introduces a model for child safe standards and a reportable conduct scheme, which were recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2017.   The mantra that child safety is everyone’s business is now enshrined in law, and Queensland should be proud of that.   This new law gives the Queensland Family and Child Commission significant responsibilities. We will now start considered planning ahead of implementation, which will involve extensive engagement with the community, while maintaining a sharp focus on the needs, wellbeing and safety of Queensland children.   The law will be implemented in stages over three years, and we will publish information on our website about this process.   The amendments to the Blue Card scheme remove the requirement for kinship carers and adult household members to hold a Blue Card to care for family. This change affirms the primacy of safety for each child in every decision, and it acknowledges the critical role that cultural continuity plays in achieving safety for First Nations children. The reform responds to many of our recommendations about Blue Card dating back to 2017 and responds to concerns long raised by First Nations families and communities across Queensland.   Every Queensland child has the right to be raised safely in their culture, connected to kin and Country. Caring for family is not employment, and this new law means more families can stay together in a safe and loving home.   Reforming the Blue Card scheme is a step in the right direction to correcting historical injustices and delivering better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families in Queensland.   Both of these reforms follow years of sustained, collective advocacy from leaders across the child and family sector and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We join them today in celebrating and welcoming these milestones.

We want to hear from young people on how their needs can be met residential care. If you know someone aged 14-25 and live in Queensland, join us for the second Residential Care Expert Advisory Council. 📆17 September 📌Mackay, venue on registration 🔗https://lnkd.in/ecm6RRaG Travel and accommodation can be provided if needed to young people outside of Mackay who would like to attend. #QFCC #LifeWithoutBarriers #residentialcare Life Without Barriers

Unlike older children, these little ones may not openly express their feelings, making early signs easy to miss.   19 children and young people died by suicide in the last year.   Our Child Death Register data showed that while the overall rate of deaths among Queensland children and young people is falling, the overall rate of suicide is increasing. 19 young lives lost is too many, and it tells us that we need to continue talking about the risk factors and educating the community on how best to respond to young people in crisis.   World Suicide Prevention Day serves as a reminder to prioritise mental health across all ages, starting with the youngest and most vulnerable.   Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing the escalation of these issues as children grow older. Clinicians and caregivers are encouraged to pay close attention to early signs of depression in young children.   🔗For more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/g2a7SUq4   💚 #QFCC #WorldSuicidePreventionDay #MentalHealthMatters

We need to listen to young people with lived experience of the mental health system, and include their views when considering how to improve services. At the QFCC Youth Summit, Grace challenged the mental health sector to rethink the status quo and focus on long-term solutions as mental health issues continue to rise. Since then, Grace, a member of the Queensland Government’s LGBTQIA+ Roundtable, has been instrumental in shaping the state’s LGBTQIA+ strategy, Pride in our Communities. She’s also leading the development of a ground breaking youth-focused suicide assessment tool for clinicians, ensuring tailored support and training. Grace is conducting research on people’s experiences of consent and decision-making while in hospital post-suicide attempt. She aims to further understand the difficulties that people with a lived experience of suicide face advocate for their rights and needs. As we approach RUOk Day and World Suicide Prevention Day, we recognise the importance of listening to those with lived experience and working towards a better mental health system. 🔗Learn more in our QFCC Youth Summit Impact Report: https://lnkd.in/ePCTyp9w #QFCC

Every child and young person has the right to thrive. Thriving isn’t about survival, it’s about having the opportunity to reach full potential, to live a healthy and fulfilling life, and to be protected from barriers that may limit this development. Youth Advocate Caroline speaks about her journey as a sibling carer and how all sibling carers, despite their quick transition into a care-giving role, have the right to be supported to thrive. To learn more about Caroline’s initiative to support sibling caregivers and build better futures, visit: https://lnkd.in/gFEQZk_Y

We’re incredibly proud of our First Nations Child Rights Advocacy team for receiving the DJAG Excellence Award in Partnerships! This recognition highlights their outstanding work in collaboration with Queensland and national organisations, ensuring the voices of First Nations children are heard and respected. By partnering with communities, we’re building a collective vision that keeps our efforts relevant, focused, and geared toward creating lasting change for children across Queensland. A huge congratulations to the winners and all nominees of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General QLD Excellence Awards for your dedication to shaping a brighter future for our state. 👏 #QFCC

We are so excited to be at the Child Protection Week Family Fun Day in Richlands! Find us with the Children's Rights Queensland team hanging out at the petting zoo and playing in the jumping castle.