Expressions of interest open for Child Death Review Board Members
Queensland's new Child Death Review Board to be established under the Child Death Review Legislation Amendment Act 2020 will be responsible for carrying out systemic reviews following the deaths of children known to the child protection system. Informed by the outcomes of these reviews, the Board will make recommendations about improvements that can be made to the child protection system to help prevent further tragic deaths. Expressions of interest are now open for positions on the Board by suitable qualified individuals. A person is eligible for appointment to the Board, if the person: (a) has expertise in the field of paediatrics and child health, forensic pathology, mental health, investigations or child protection; (b) has expertise in litigation relating to child protection proceedings or proceedings of a similar nature; or (c) is otherwise, because of the person’s qualifications, experience or membership of an entity, likely to make a valuable contribution to the work of the board. See the invitation to apply from the Hon. Yvette D’Ath MP Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, view the attached information pack and apply for the position at Smart Jobs.
Changing Tracks action plan released today - ending over-representation is key
A media release issued by Family Matters Queensland today on the Changing Tracks 2020-22 Action Plan calls for a centre of excellence to be developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples based on evidence-based programs that work for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families to help end the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care by 2037. Family Matters Queensland contends reducing the high number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care must be considered an urgent priority. Read the media release or contact Mark Jeffery at mjeffery@peakcare.org.au or 0419 732 582 for media requests.
Invitation to present experiences to the Disability Royal Commission
Those with lived experience of disability or experience providing disability care or guardianship are invited to share their experiences with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Experiences can be shared through a submission or by requesting a private session with a Commissioner. Lotus Support Services as part of Micah Projects is offering assistance to those who would like to share their stories with the Commission, including direct assistance in preparing a submission, as well as confidential support and counselling. For more details, contact Lotus on 3036 4490 or email lotussupportservices@micahprojects.org.au.
Invitation to participate in focus sessions for QFCC sector workforce environmental scan
The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) is inviting workforce groups to attend focus sessions as part of the Sector Insights project to inform future workforce initiatives. Non-government organisations, regional, rural and remote service providers, and foster and kinship service providers, are invited to attend specific focus group sessions. A session for NGOs will be held on Monday, 25th May 2.30pm to 4.30pm, a session for regional and remote providers on Tuesday, 2nd June 2.30pm to 4.30pm and a session for carers on Thursday, 4th June 8.30am to 10.30am. The sessions will discuss current and future workforce themes, test and validate initial findings from the environmental scan and strengthen QFCC's understanding around the emerging workforce issues and trends. Representatives from child and young people advocacy groups, community-controlled organisations and place-based and volunteer initiatives are also able to attend sessions. For more details or to register, contact Karl Lacis on karl.lacis@qfcc.qld.gov.au or (07) 3900 6032.
Extension of closing date for QFCC workforce survey 2020
A key input to the work of the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC)'s work is regular surveys of the frontline service delivery workforce in the child protection and family support system. The findings of the 2019 survey are now available to access as a video, summary report and full report. The closing date for the 2020 survey has now been extended to COB Monday, 25th May. The 2020 survey can be accessed online and all workers who provide frontline services to children, young people and families are encouraged to have their say on how the system is working, including issues such as referral pathways, information sharing and collaboration, and where improvements need to be made.
Parents with experience of the child protection system invited to have their say about caring for children during COVID-19
Parents with experience of the child protection system are invited to share their thoughts and experiences of how COVID-19 is impacting them in an anonymous survey conducted by the Family Inclusion Network SEQ. Were you in the first group that went back to school? Are services and supports there - more or less? Have you had an experience with 'telelink' court? The survey can be accessed online and is completely anonymous.
Tenancy law toolkit for DFV service providers
May marks Queensland’s Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, raising community awareness and sending a clear message that violence will not be tolerated in any Queensland communities. In support of the campaign, Tenants Queensland has developed a tenancy law toolkit for domestic and family violence workers in Queensland better assist their clients understand their rights and options when starting, staying and leaving rented accommodation in the context of domestic and family violence. The toolkit includes the procedural advice in supporting clients facing tenancy issues, including how to approach QCAT, RTA, and the courts. In support of the toolkit, Tenants Queensland provides domestic and family service providers and workers supporting women with DFV related tenancy issues in Queensland with an advisory line at (07) 3708 4833 or roseb@tenantsqld.org.au. Access the toolkit online.
Free webinar recording on JobKeeper Payment for charities and non-profits
The Councils of Social Service (COSS) Network and the University of Western Australia recently delivered a webinar on JobKeeper Payment for non-profits and charities accessing the scheme. The webinar considered: eligibility of organisations for the JobKeeper payment, documentation required as part of Australian Tax Office compliance, whether to make use of the option to exclude government revenue from the JobKeeper turnover test, and more. A recording of the webinar can be viewed online and accompanying slides are available. A summary of responses to questions asked during the webinar is also available. In general, ACNC registered charities are generally eligible for the JobKeeper Payment if their income falls by greater than 15 per cent compared to the same time last year. However, in calculating the income difference between periods they may choose to exclude government revenue from their eligibility calculation.
QShelter panel discussion on COVID-19 economic impacts
QShelter is hosting an online panel discussion on the challenges and opportunities presented by COVID-19 economic impacts, in particular for community organisations, housing providers and homelessness services. The discussion will address role of housing supply in economic stimulus and recovery. Panellists include leading economist Saul Eslake, UNSW Professor of Urban Policy and Strategy Hal Pawson, with discussion to be facilitated by ABC Brisbane journalist Lexy Hamilton-Smith. The online panel will be held Thursday, 21st May 4pm to 6pm with discounted rates for QShelter members. Find out more and register.
NDS sector update and free course
Disability service providers are invited to participate in new webinar briefing by National Disability Services about important changes and sector updates. This session will also create further opportunity for NDS to hear feedback and queries from providers. The webinar will be held Tuesday, 19th May at 9am QLD time. Find out more and register.
NDS is also offering a free online futures-thinking course to build capacity for disability providers to adapt, innovate and transform in the face of substantial disruptions across the disability landscape. Expressions of interest for the course must be submitted by COB Tuesday, 26th May to Tash Mucha via email at tash.mucha@nds.org.au. EOIs must include: name and position of the course participant, name of disability provider organisation, and a brief statement of intention to complete online course. The self-paced Become a Futurist - Futures 101 online course is delivered by Professor Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies and internationally known political scientist.
Child, family and community welfare survey on COVID-19 support needs
Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) is conducting a survey on support needs for child and family workers to better assist their clients during COVID-19. The short survey takes 5-7 minutes and will close Wednesday, 3rd June. Take the survey online.
Bushfire grants Round One now open
Grants of up to $100,000 each are now available to help Queensland communities recover from the 2019 bushfires. Queensland-based community groups, local councils, non-government organisations, peak and industry groups, and research bodies delivering into any one of the 23 bushfire-impacted local government areas can apply. Funding will support events, activities and programs that drive community recovery activities, increase awareness, and build local resilience. Applications close Wednesday, 3rd June. Find out more and apply.
Updated HSQF templates to include human rights provisions
QCOSS has updated its suite of policy templates to support organisations with implementing the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF). The templates have been updated to reflect changes needed due to the implementation of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. Visit the HSQF section on QCOSS' website and look for the templates, and supporting documents, marked 'NEW - updated 2020'.
