Skip to main content

Safeguarding at Y Queensland in 2026

At Y Queensland, Safeguarding is deeply embedded in how we do things in our workplace and is foundational in keeping all children and young people who access our services safe. Putting safeguarding at the front of our minds and making it the most important part of every moment of every day is the responsibility of every person who works at Y Queensland.

Safeguarding as a value is reflected in how every Y person leads, works, acts and makes decisions that affect children and young people. The safety of children and young people accessing the Y can only be achieved through a collective Safeguarding commitment by all Y people.

Our Commitment to the Child Safe Standards & The Universal Principle

Safeguarding within Y Qld is guided and reflective of Qld Child Safe Standards Legislation. As of January 2026, Queensland has implemented 10 new Child Safe Standards, including the Universal Principle. Y Queensland is committed to following the 10 Child Safe Standards set by the Queensland Family and Child Commission across all our workplaces, centres, programs and spaces where children and young people engage with the Y. These standards guide how we create safe, respectful and supportive environments for every child and young person who participates in our services.

The Universal Principle recognises that all the Child Safe Standards must involve considerations of Cultural Safety, which are essential to creating safe environments and practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Y Queensland recognises the right of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to feel culturally safe, valued and respected. We are committed to listening to First Nations children, young people, their families and communities and to embedding cultural safety into our environments, services and decision making. A culturally safe organisation is a child safe organisation.

Standard 1: Leadership and Culture

Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in the entity’s organisational leadership, governance and culture

The aim of Y Qld and its leaders in fulfilling this standard is and should be to create a culture where every decision, action and process prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. Strong leadership and clear governance lay the foundation for a proactive, accountable and child-focused organisation.

What does EXCELLENCE in STANDARD 1 look like?
  • Y Qld leaders set the tone and example by embedding children’s safety (including cultural safety) and wellbeing into policies, procedures and culture and ensuring these are followed and reviewed.
  • Y Qld leaders ensure there is a healthy reporting culture, and they support people to report concerns.
  • Everyone in Y Qld understands their role and responsibilities to protect children and young people, and that they act accordingly.
  • Everyone in Y Qld takes accountability to provide a safe environment for every child and young person.
How to put STANDARD 1 into PRACTICE
  • Prioritise children and young people’s safety and wellbeing in every decision and action.
  • Ensure children and young people’s safety and wellbeing are a standing agenda item in all leadership discussions and team meetings.
  • Prioritise learning, understanding and operationalising policies and practices that prioritise children and young people’s safety and wellbeing.
  • Ensure all Y people are trained and supported to follow the Standards, and to recognise risks to children and young people, and prevent harm.
  • Seek feedback from children, young people, carers, and families in relation to their children and young people’s safety and wellbeing.
  • Clearly document risk assessments and actions taken to mitigate risks to children and young people’s safety and wellbeing.
  • Clearly document via incident report any actions taken in response to any issues/concerns related to children and young people’s safety that occur, including the immediate and follow-up actions taken to resolve the issue and prevent it from occurring again.

Individual Reflection

Whether you are a leader by title or position, every Y person can choose to lead when it comes to Safeguarding children and young people at the Y. A true leader in Safeguarding is someone who purposefully commits to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in their care, inspires and develops others around them and fosters a positive Safeguarding culture and environment.

What is one action you could take to show leadership in your team to advance a Safeguarding Culture in your team/service?

For queries about this information or any other general safeguarding enquiries, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Quick Reference Quide for Implementing the Child Safe Standards in Queensland