Because of their regular contact with students and families, departmental employees play a vital role in:
- identifying and responding to suspected child abuse and neglect
- helping families to access support services that may build on their strengths and address issues impacting on their parenting.
The
child and student protection policy outlines the department’s approach to keeping children and students safe by protecting them from harm or risk of harm in Queensland state schools and State Delivered Kindergartens.
Employee actions and decision making in relation to student protection matters are guided by departmental procedures including the
student protection procedure and the
allegations against employees in the area of student protection procedure.
Students aged 18 years or older also play a role in supporting student safety following updates to the
Criminal Code Act 1899. A new law, called ‘failure to report’, means it is an offence for adults (including students who are 18 years or older) not to report sexual offending committed by another adult against a child to police. A fact sheet has been developed to support students who are 18 years or older to understand their reporting obligations.