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QAGTC Child Safe Standards Commitment and Framework

QAGTC Child Safe Standards Commitment and Framework

Queensland Association for Gifted and Talented Children Inc. (QAGTC)
Child Safe Organisation Statement and Child Safe Standards Framework
Version 1.0 | August 2026

1. Purpose

The Queensland Association for Gifted and Talented Children Inc. (QAGTC) is committed to creating and maintaining environments where children and young people are safe, respected, valued, and empowered. As an organisation that provides activities, conferences, workshops, information sessions and services involving children, young people and families, QAGTC recognises its responsibility to uphold the Queensland Child Safe Standards and foster a culture of child safety and wellbeing. [qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

QAGTC has zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, grooming, exploitation, discrimination, or any behaviour that places a child or young person at risk.

Child Safe Commitment Statement

QAGTC believes that every child has the right to:

  • Feel safe and be protected from harm.
  • Be listened to and taken seriously.
  • Participate in decisions affecting them.
  • Be treated with dignity and respect.
  • Experience inclusive environments free from discrimination.
  • Have their cultural identity recognised and valued.

QAGTC is committed to:

  • Embedding child safety into leadership, governance and organisational culture.
  • Promoting the participation and voice of children and young people.
  • Working collaboratively with families and communities.
  • Ensuring all volunteers, committee members and contractors understand their child safety responsibilities.
  • Maintaining safe physical and online environments.
  • Continuously reviewing and improving child safety practices. [qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Universal Principle: Cultural Safety

QAGTC acknowledges the First Peoples of Australia and is committed to creating environments that uphold the cultural rights, safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

QAGTC will actively promote environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children:

  • Feel welcome, safe, valued and respected.
  • Can express and celebrate their cultural identity.
  • Experience genuine inclusion and belonging.
  • Are free from racism and cultural harm.

This commitment applies across all Child Safe Standards and all QAGTC activities. [qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Implementing the Queensland Child Safe Standards

Standard 1: Leadership, Governance and Culture

QAGTC will:

  • Demonstrate visible leadership commitment to child safety.
  • Include child safety as a standing agenda item for committee meetings.
  • Maintain and regularly review a Child Safe Policy.
  • Allocate responsibility for child safety oversight to designated committee members.
  • Ensure child safety considerations inform organisational decision-making.

Evidence of compliance:

  • Child Safe Policy
  • Committee minutes
  • Child safety risk assessments
  • Annual governance review

[qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Standard 2: Children and Young People are Informed and Empowered

QAGTC will:

  • Inform children and young people of their rights.
  • Encourage participation in activities and decision-making.
  • Provide age-appropriate methods for raising concerns.
  • Ensure children know who they can approach if they feel unsafe.

Evidence of compliance:

  • Participant information materials
  • Feedback mechanisms
  • Child-friendly complaints information

[qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Standard 3: Families and Communities are Informed and Involved

QAGTC will:

  • Communicate child safety expectations to families.
  • Provide access to child safety policies.
  • Encourage feedback from parents and carers.
  • Partner with families to promote child wellbeing.

Evidence of compliance:

Standard 4: Equity is Upheld and Diverse Needs Respected

QAGTC recognises that gifted and talented children may have diverse needs, including children who are:

  • Twice-exceptional (2e)
  • Neurodivergent
  • From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • Living with disability
  • From LGBTQIA+ families

QAGTC will ensure equitable participation and inclusion in all programs and activities.

Evidence of compliance:

Standard 5: People Working with Children are Suitable and Supported

QAGTC will:

  • Require appropriate Blue Card screening where required.
  • Verify suitability of committee members, volunteers and presenters.
  • Provide clear codes of conduct.
  • Establish expectations regarding professional boundaries.
  • Support volunteers through supervision and guidance.

Evidence of compliance:

Standard 6: Child-Focused Complaints Processes

QAGTC will:

  • Maintain accessible complaint and reporting procedures.
  • Respond promptly and appropriately to concerns.
  • Protect confidentiality where possible.
  • Ensure children and families are informed of outcomes and supports.

Any concerns regarding child safety will be treated seriously and escalated in accordance with legislative requirements.

Evidence of compliance:

Standard 7: Staff and Volunteers Have Knowledge, Skills and Awareness

QAGTC will ensure committee members and volunteers receive information and training regarding:

  • Child Safe Standards
  • Child abuse indicators
  • Professional boundaries
  • Managing disclosures
  • Reporting obligations
  • Safe online interactions

Evidence of compliance:

  • Induction materials
  • Training attendance records
  • Annual refreshers

[qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Standard 8: Physical and Online Environments Promote Safety

QAGTC will:

  • Assess risks in venues used for events and activities.
  • Supervise children appropriately.
  • Maintain safe online communication practices.
  • Use secure digital systems and platforms.
  • Manage photography, videography and social media responsibly.

Evidence of compliance:

  • Event risk assessments
  • Online safety protocols
  • Photography and media consent procedures

[qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Standard 9: Continuous Improvement

QAGTC will regularly review:

  • Child safety risks
  • Policies and procedures
  • Feedback from children and families
  • Incident and complaint trends
  • Training effectiveness

The Committee will undertake an annual Child Safe Standards compliance review.

Evidence of compliance:

Standard 10: Policies and Procedures Document Child Safety

QAGTC will maintain and review:

  • Child Safe Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Complaint Handling Procedure
  • Incident Reporting Procedure
  • Risk Management Procedure
  • Volunteer Recruitment and Screening Procedure
  • Online Safety Guidelines

These documents will be publicly available where appropriate and reviewed at least every two years. [qfcc.qld.gov.au], [families.qld.gov.au]

Roles and Responsibilities

QAGTC Committee

The Committee is responsible for:

  • Ensuring compliance with Child Safe Standards.
  • Monitoring implementation.
  • Reviewing policies and risk management practices.
  • Promoting a culture of child safety.

Volunteers and Event Personnel

All volunteers and personnel must:

  • Comply with QAGTC policies.
  • Prioritise child safety.
  • Report concerns promptly.
  • Maintain appropriate professional conduct.

Parents and Carers

Parents and carers are encouraged to:

  • Support safe participation.
  • Raise concerns when they arise.
  • Partner with QAGTC in promoting child wellbeing.
Review

This framework will be reviewed:

  • Every two years; or
  • Following a significant incident; or
  • Following changes to legislation or regulatory requirements.

Approved by: QAGTC Committee
Review Date: August 2028

References
Queensland Family and Child Commission. What are the Child Safe Standards?
Queensland Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. Child Safe Standards and Universal Principle. 
QAGTC. About QAGTC and organisational purpose.