Queensland Consolidated Acts

FAMILY AND CHILD COMMISSION ACT 2014 - SECT 9

9 Commission’s functions

(1) The commission has the following functions for the purposes of promoting the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people and improving the child protection system—

(a) to provide oversight of the child protection system;

(b) to promote and advocate—

(i) the responsibility of families and communities to protect and care for children and young people; and

(ii) the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, particularly children in need of protection or in the youth justice system;

(c) to develop and review workforce planning and development strategies for the child protection system by collaborating with relevant agencies, the private sector and education providers;

(d) to inform and educate the community about—

(i) services available to strengthen and support families; and

(ii) the way in which the child protection system operates; and

(iii) research relevant to the child protection system;

(e) to develop and coordinate a multidisciplinary research program to inform policies and practices, in consultation with stakeholders and relevant agencies;

(f) to assist relevant agencies evaluate the efficacy of their programs and identify the most effective service models;

(g) to provide leadership and give expert advice to relevant agencies about laws, policies, practices and services;

(h) to increase collaboration and build capacity across different sectors to improve the delivery of services to children, young people and families;

(i) to analyse and evaluate, at a systemic level, policies and practices relevant to the child protection system and the performance of relevant agencies in delivering services;

(j) to report to the Minister about matters relating to a function mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (i) ;

(k) to perform a function incidental to a function mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (i) .

(2) However, it is not a function of the commission to investigate the circumstances of a particular child, young person or family or to advocate on their behalf.

(3) In performing its functions, the commission must avoid unnecessary duplication of the board’s performance of its functions under part 3A .