The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has developed an action plan to support First Nations Queenslanders who want to access the Working with Children Check (blue card) system.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman has released (8 June) Safe children and strong communities: A strategy and action plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations accessing the blue card system.
Ms Fentiman said the Family and Children Commission’s 2017 review of the blue card system recommended a more strategic approach when it came to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples seeking to work or volunteer with children.
“While the review found that Queensland’s system was one of the strongest Working with Children Check systems in Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples often experienced barriers,” she said.
“My Department has developed this five-year action plan which takes an innovative approach to provide greater support to our First Nations people through each part of the blue card system.”
Ms Fentiman said an oversight group would monitor and evaluate the implementation of these strategies and actions.
She said the blue card system helped keep children safe by screening people who work with children and by working with organisations to be child-safe.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their children often encounter the blue card system as part of their daily lives in their communities,” Ms Fentiman said.
“It has impacts across education, employment, health, justice, identification and access to services.
“The majority of First Nations peoples who apply are ultimately issued with a blue card and Blue Card Services has already implemented several initiatives to improve participation with the system.”
Ms Fentiman said the plan was part of the Government’s broader work to address the social and health challenges facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
A copy of the 42-page Action Plan is available at this PS News link.
