Queensland Family and Child Commission

Happy World Children's Day!

This World Children’s Day, we’re celebrating every child’s right to play and to know their rights. Children's Rights Queensland are helping make that possible through their beautiful range of books that bring children’s rights to life in fun and meaningful ways. 📚 The ABC of Children’s Rights helps children explore their rights from A to Z, building language, empathy and understanding along the way. 📖 The Big Book of Rights shares the voices of over 200 Queensland children, turning their ideas into a vibrant story about fairness, kindness and belonging. ✨ The Right to Be Me empowers children to see how their rights matter every day, at home, at school, online and in their communities. These resources are helping children across Queensland understand, talk about and celebrate their rights in a way that is engaging and empowering. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7R8ZjQW

Join us for Lessons from Scotland for Queensland’s Future, a panel discussion bringing together leaders from across the child rights and community sectors to explore how a rights-based approach can drive meaningful, lasting change for children. 📅 Tuesday 25 November 2025 📍 State Library of Queensland Drawing on Scotland’s experience in embedding the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into law, our panel will discuss how civil society can influence reform, strengthen First Nations self-determination, and translate global commitments into real outcomes for children and young people here in Queensland. 🎙️ Panel speakers: • Juliet Harris, Director, Together – Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights • Rhea Waia, Youth Participant • Natalie Lewis, Queensland Family and Child Commission • Vicki Mau, 54 reasons 📩 RSVP by Friday 14 November to Commissioner_OATSICC@qfcc.qld.gov.au and include any dietary requirements.

As proud sponsors of the Queensland Community Achievement Awards Dedicated to Improving Child Safety Award, we’re honoured to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding individuals and organisations who have been nominated this year. This award recognises the individuals and organisations actively working to build a culture of safety and wellbeing for all Queensland children and young people. Each nominee demonstrates incredible commitment, compassion, and innovation in their work — from developing child-safe practices and supporting families, to advocating for children’s rights and wellbeing. Their efforts make a real and lasting difference in our communities. We’re inspired by your passion and proud to stand alongside you in promoting child safety and wellbeing across the state. Learn more about this year’s nominees and their achievements: Project Paradigm SunnyKids Ltd Wee Care (Althea Projects) Youth Off The Streets Zephyr Education Limited https://lnkd.in/gr3M2DQ

Celebrating those who empower Queensland’s young people! As proud sponsors of the Queensland Community Achievement Awards Dedicated to Supporting Young Queenslanders Award, we are honoured to acknowledge the exceptional individuals and organisations dedicated to empowering young people across Queensland. These outstanding finalists exemplify leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to creating opportunities where young people are valued, respected, and supported to reach their full potential. We commend their ongoing efforts to strengthen communities and shape a brighter future for the next generation. Learn more about this year’s nominees and their achievements: Australian Institute of Play Cape York Leaders Program Janelle Parsons Jessica Narbey Zane Nonol 🔗https://lnkd.in/gr3M2DQ

Stay connected with our initiatives driving real change for children and families in Queensland! Our Insights newsletter showcases our latest work with children, young people and sector partners across Queensland. It features updates about Queensland's new Child Safe Organisations law, our latest reports and analysis, information about emerging research across Australia, and our engagement with children, families and communities. Whether you’re looking for insights to inform your work or inspiration from children and young people, our newsletter can help you make an impact. 🔗📧Subscribe now to receive the latest edition straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/ediPmnK4

Here is some excellent news to end the week! “We don’t rise alone. Not me. Not you. Not our young people. And when we stand together, when we lead with care instead of ego, we stop being drops in the ocean. We become the ocean.” Jarib Branfield-Bradshaw, 21 years. In June this year, Jarib was presented with the 2025 Young Achiever Award we sponsor for Contribution to Community or Family Safety Award for First Nations People. Now he's been named as a finalist for the Queensland Young Australian of the Year 2026 and the 2025 Australian Human Rights Awards Young People’s Award. Jarib is a phenomenal young leader in his community of Cunnamulla, spearheading the establishment of the community’s youth centre in collaboration with the town’s young people. Jarib embodies the vision of the Commission, ensuring young people in his community are loved, respected, and have their rights upheld.  Congratulations Jarib! We wish you all the very best for both nominations.

Commissioners Luke Twyford and Natalie Lewis will be speaking on the closing day of the 2025 QCOSS Conference in Brisbane later this month, sharing their insights on driving meaningful change across Queensland. Principal Commissioner Twyford will join leaders from statutory authorities for the "Behind the reform" panel, to discuss how collaboration between community organisations and statutory bodies can influence policy, uncover opportunities for genuine partnership, and improve outcomes for the people and communities we serve. Commissioner Lewis will feature on the plenary “Poverty is a policy choice”, examining structural causes of inequality and exploring how government could end poverty and intergenerational disadvantage through bold, inclusive policy decisions. It will be a packed two days and it's not too late to register! 📅 Thursday 27 November 2025 🕛 Behind the reform - working with statutory authorities to move the needle: 12:20–1:05pm 🕛 Poverty is a policy choice: 3:30–4:20pm 🔗Grab your tickets now: https://lnkd.in/ea7KtQqB

“Why just Queensland and not a national law or approach? Why different in each state?”   While Child Safe Standards fall under a Queensland law, the Standards are based on the National Principles recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2017. The 10 National Principles were endorsed by all states and territories in 2019, which have been working since then to adopt them into state-based child safeguarding legislation. Victoria was the first jurisdiction to introduce Child Safe Standards in law, in 2016. Since then, NSW, Tasmania and Queensland have followed. Western Australia has legislation proposed, and the Northern Territory, ACT and South Australia are working to align their child safe frameworks with the National Principles.  Find out more about the Standards on our website at https://lnkd.in/gUTVcSMh.