10th anniversary of the blue card system

Queensland’s blue card system celebrated 10 years of successful operation on 1 May 2011.

The Commission held a morning tea with key partners and stakeholders on 6 May to commemorate the occasion and reflect on the history and achievements of the system.

Guests included representatives from organisations such as the Queensland Youth Alliance, QSport, Foster Care Queensland, Volunteering Queensland, Australian Homestay Network and Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens’ Association, as well as government agencies and service providers such as ABnote and Access Office, who have worked closely with the Commission over the years to create safe service environments for children and young people.

The catalyst for the current blue card system dates back to 1999 when a review of the then Children’s Commission and Children Services Appeals Tribunals Act 1996, together with the Forde inquiry into the abuse of children in Queensland institutions and consultation between government and peak youth, recreational and sporting bodies, led to the introduction of a Bill into Parliament on 22 June 2000.

The subsequent Commission for Children and Young People Act 2000 introduced a new employment screening function for certain types of child-focused regulated employment which commenced in May 2001.

In its first two months of operation, the Commission received 1,142 applications which was considered high back then, but is in stark contrast to the 4000-8000 applications now being received each week.

In 2005, the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 was introduced and the scope of the blue card system was expanded to include further categories of employment. At this time, a new requirement was also introduced for regulated organisations to produce and maintain an appropriate child-focused risk management strategy.

Since 2006, Queensland Parliament has periodically reviewed the legislative provisions governing the blue card system and has strengthened its ability to act as an effective prevention and early intervention mechanism for the enhancement of the safety of children.

The system in operation today now comprises past, present and future focused elements for mitigating child protection risks in child-related service environments that, when considered together, are recognised by all other state and federal jurisdictions as the most comprehensive and rigorous system of its type in the nation.

In the 2009-10 financial year, the Commission received 279,781 applications and prevented 651 people from working with children. 

Overall, since the inception of the blue card system in 2001, the Commission has issued more than 1.72 million blue cards and prevented more than 4,400 people from working with children. In addition, the Commission is currently monitoring more than 508,000 blue card holders and applicants.  

Commissioner Elizabeth Fraser said the blue card system would not be nearly as strong as it is today without the commitment, collaboration and participation of the myriad of regulated organisations within the system and their respective peak bodies.

“The involvement of stakeholder organisations has been critical during every phase of the blue card system’s evolution,” Ms Fraser said.

“We regard our ongoing relationship with organisations within the system, be they peak bodies or single operators, as a true partnership in the quest to minimise risks to children and young people.

“For it is important to remember that while the Commission can conduct the initial eligibility screening of individuals who wish to work with children and watch for changes in their histories if they do receive a blue card, we cannot determine whether a person is suitable for work in a particular workplace.

“That is rightly the employer’s responsibility and it is comforting to know that the vast majority of organisations we have engaged with in the last 10 years are just as committed as we are to the safety of children in their care, and when areas of possible involvement have been raised with them, they have willingly worked with us to strengthen their policies, procedures and activities.”

View the Commissioner’s speech (PDF, 34KB) given during the morning tea and a powerpoint presentation (PDF, 786KB) of the history of the blue card system.

Some photos from the blue card 10th anniversary morning tea celebration can be viewed below.

 

Last Updated: July 14, 2011

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