A Child Death Review Board is to be established in Queensland to investigate the deaths of children in the child protection system.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Yvette D’ath said the new Board would conduct systemic reviews of child deaths that would extend beyond reviewing key Government Agency service provision to an individual child.
“When a child known to the child protection system dies, it’s imperative that we learn from these tragedies and, where possible, help prevent future deaths,” Mrs D’ath said.
“Child Safety and the Director of Child Protection Litigation are already required to conduct internal systems reviews where they’ve had involvement with a child who has died or suffered a serious physical injury,” she said.
“The requirement will now be expanded to health, education, community and justice services, that support vulnerable children and families.”
She said the expansion would include Queensland Health, the Department of Education, Queensland Police Service and the Department of Youth Justice.
“It’s about promoting ongoing learning and improvement, accountability, and collaboration across these key government agencies that have a high degree of contact with children known to the child protection system,” Mrs D’Ath said.
She said the Child Death Review Board would be located within the Queensland Family and Child Commission.
“The new laws will require the Board to act independently and in the public interest and it will not be subject to my direction, or the direction of anyone else, in performing its functions,” the Minister said.
