Child safe organisation
Addressing child safety and wellbeing
The University is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who participate in our learning and research activities or attend our campuses and premises.
UniSQ understands that everyone working with children shares responsibility for their care and is committed to providing a child safe environment where we identify and manage potential risks to children. The University does not tolerate any form of abuse or harm to children. All children have the right to be safe.
We are:
- Implementing a Child Safe Policy that places obligations on all University members, including staff, students, volunteers and contractors to act ethically towards children and to identify and manage safety and wellbeing risks to children
- Implementing the Qld Child Safe Standards and National Principles for Child Safe Organisations in the activities, programs and research that involves children
- Actively ensuring suitable arrangements for under 18 international students via our Under 18 International Students Policy
- Undertaking checks to ensure anyone engaged to provide a service to children is suitable to work with children
- Tracking and recording Working With Children Checks in accordance with the Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012, Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and advice received from the Office of the Children’s Guardian
- Implementing the requirements of the Qld reportable conduct scheme which includes the investigation and reporting of any allegations made against University staff, students, volunteers and contractors related to harmful conduct towards children.
Queensland's Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (the Act) means that organisations working with children or providing spaces specifically for them need to implement the Child Safe Standards and the Universal Principle. These standards are designed to provide tangible guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first to keep children safe from harm. The standards aim to create environments in organisations that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children. They relate to a broad range of organisational factors, such as leadership and governance, staff and volunteer training and development, involving and engaging children and families in decision-making, complaints management, and promoting equity and diversity.
Report any child safety concerns, including disclosure of abuse or harm, or allegations, suspicions or observations of harm.
If you or a child are in immediate danger, call triple zero 000 for emergency services. Calling the police is the best way to get help in an emergency.
If you are concerned a child or young person is at risk of serious harm (through abuse, neglect or danger caused to themself), the Qld Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety provides information, including how to make a formal report.
If you are concerned that a University employee, student, contractor or volunteer has potentially caused harm to a child you can:
- Contact Campus Safety and Security
- Contact the Safer Communities team
- Submit an employee complaint
- Contact “Your call” UniSQ’s external and confidential intermediary service.
Any allegations or information related to child safety should be reported as soon as possible so they can be escalated and managed appropriately. This will include reporting concerns to external authorities as required.