39 permits to work with children suspended in Queensland
In the Australian state of Queensland, 39 Blue Cards — permits to work with children — were suspended over two months. This happened after a reportable conduct scheme concerning children was launched on July 1, ABC News reports.
666 reports since July
According to Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington, the Queensland Family and Child Commission has received 666 reports of reportable conduct under the new scheme since July. It provides a unified procedure for reporting sexual offences, violence and neglect of children’s needs.
The commission referred about 200 cases involving alleged criminal offences to police, while 572 cases are under monitoring. Of the reports, 29% concerned inappropriate treatment of a child, 22% involved allegations of physical violence, and 16% concerned sexual misconduct involving children.
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Example of an investigation
Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Luke Twyford spoke about a man whose Blue Card was suspended after a girl alleged possible grooming while he was working at a residential facility for teenagers. According to Twyford, after the allegation was made, the man resigned and sought work elsewhere.
The organisation where he worked had to continue the investigation despite his resignation. During the review, two more young people alleged possible grooming-related conduct. The information was passed to Queensland Police and the Blue Card service, after which the permit was suspended.
New commission
Twyford noted that not every report automatically leads to a card suspension, as many cases require additional information and investigation. From next year, the reporting scheme and the Blue Card system are planned to be incorporated into the Queensland Protection Commission, which is expected to begin operating in February. According to the state government, the new body will bring together several agencies, including in education, healthcare, policing, child protection and youth justice.
