The Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services

The Queensland Government is committed to building a new child protection and family support system that meets the needs of Queensland children, young people and families, now and into the future.

As part of the Supporting Families Changing Futures reform program, we are undertaking a comprehensive redesign of the Child Protection Act 1999.

This is an opportunity to embed the government’s key reform directions and provide a strong foundation for our system in legislation.

Between September 2015 and March 2016, the department consulted with Queenslanders and insights were gathered through community forums, written submissions, meetings, focus groups and small group sessions.

While feedback and analysis to date indicates that the Child Protection Act 1999 mostly works well, the wide range of issues and changes being canvassed are such that we are proposing a number of legislative reforms.

The next chapter in child protection legislation for Queensland: Options paper proposes possible responses to 13 specific areas identified during the initial consultation. Options also respond to outstanding recommendations in the Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry final report. A summary of the Options Paper has been developed to support consultation. There will be opportunities to participate in the second stage of consultation through face-to-face discussions, workshops and written submissions.

For more information about the redesign of the Act, email CPAReview@communities.qld.gov.au