Children, Young People and Vulnerable Individuals

Policy Statement

Centacare North Queensland NQ Ltd (Centacare NQ) recognises and respects the rights, dignity, safety and well being of children, young people and other vulnerable individuals.

As part of the Catholic Diocese of Townsville, Centacare NQ stands together in our commitment to the safeguarding of all children, young people and vulnerable individuals. Centacare NQ maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, modern slavery or harm and is committed to being a Child Safe Organisation.

Centacare NQ’s safeguarding framework is guided by relevant legislation, standards and Catholic Church safeguarding frameworks including:

• Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld) including the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme
• Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld)
• Public Guardian Act 2014 (Qld)Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld)
• Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2020 (Qld)
• Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Qld)
• Queensland Family and Child Commission Act 2014 (Qld)
• Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)
• Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth)
• Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld) & NDIS Act 2013 (Cth), NDIS Act 2013 (Cth), NDIS Practice Standards and NDIS Code of Conduct (where applicable)
• United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child 1989;
• Integrity in Ministry and Integrity in the Service of the Church frameworks
• National Catholic Safeguarding Standard and the National Response Protocol for Catholic Church entities in Australia

Centacare NQ emphasises that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and is committed to:

• Creating and maintaining environments where the safety, wellbeing and intrinsic dignity of children, young people and vulnerable individuals are prioritised in all decisions, and actions
• Implementing systems, practices and safeguards that reduce the risk of harm and promote safe participation, inclusion and wellbeing
• Supporting children, young people and vulnerable individuals to experience genuine engagement, inclusion, health, wellbeing and participation within our services.
• Promoting a culture that supports the early identification and appropriate response to concerns, disclosures, allegations or suspicions of harm.
• Reporting concerns, disclosures and allegations in accordance with legislative requirements. Upholding our obligations under the Queensland Reportable Conduct Scheme and, where applicable, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements.
• Preventing Modern Slavery and taking proactive measures to ensure that children, young people, and vulnerable individuals, in our operations and supply chains are not subject to exploitation
• Contributing to the promotion of safeguarding practices across the communities and regions in which we operate

Read the signed statement here