Social Development Committee update

The Social Development Committee (SDC) is a select committee of the Queensland Legislative Assembly established by resolution on 23 April 2009 to monitor and report on issues in the policy areas of health, education and training, social welfare services, community development, housing, child safety, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy. 

The SDC also monitors and reports on a number of Commissions, including the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.

With respect to each Commission, the SDC has the following functions:

• to monitor and review the performance by the Commissioner of the Commissioner’s functions
• to report to the Legislative Assembly on any matter concerning the Commissioner, the Commissioner’s functions or the performance of the Commissioner’s functions that the Committee considers should be drawn to the Legislative Assembly’s attention
• to examine the annual report tabled in the Legislative Assembly and, if appropriate, to comment on any aspect of the report, and
• to report to the Legislative Assembly of any changes to the functions, structures and procedures of the Commission that the Committee considers desirable for the more effective operation of the Commission or the Act which establishes it.

To date, three formal meetings between the SDC and the Commission have occurred.  The SDC continues to express a strong interest in matters impacting children and young people and their support for the work of the Commission.

During the most recent meeting, matters discussed included:

• homelessness and children under the age of 12
• the take-up of education support plans and child health passports and the outcomes for children in care
• youth suicide
• transitioning from care to independence
• high-risk groups of children who abscond from care
• the practices of international Children’s Commissions, and
• the challenges faced by (the Commission’s) Community Visitors.

The support expressed by the SDC for the work and focus of the Commission is very pleasing. 

Copies of all SDC reports can be found on the Parliamentary website. The next meeting with the Commission is scheduled to occur in May 2011.

 

Last Updated: March 15, 2011

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